Gluten-Free Living: Cooking Tips (2024)

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Gluten-Free Living

Gluten-Free Living: Cooking Tips (1)Jun 2, 2023

Are You Gluten Free?

  • Peanuts are a nutrient-rich food and are naturally gluten-free.
  • Gluten-free peanut flour is a nutritious substitute for traditional flours
  • For more resources, jump to the bottom of the page.

Those with gluten sensitivity or celiac disease must maintain a gluten-free diet. More than two million people in the United States have the disease or about one in 133 people (1). Others may choose to go gluten-free in order to manage a sensitivity or in an effort to be healthier. There is no evidence that suggests that gluten is unsafe for anyone who does not suffer from celiac disease or allergy or intolerance.

Living gluten-free can be a challenge. It’s important to know that peanuts, peanut butter, peanut flour and peanut oil are considered naturally gluten-free foods. Gluten is a form of protein found in wheat, barley and rye (2). It causes intestinal damage in those with gluten sensitivity or Celiac disease and is found in wheat, barley and rye – so they and anything made from them must be strictly avoided. This makes enjoying conventionally prepared baked goods, many sauces, and even ice cream a challenge.

Like peanuts and peanut butter, the uses are endless for defatted peanut flour. Whether you’re dredging chicken for a crispy coating or ramping up a smoothie or soup with a protein boost; peanut flour is a great way to add flavor, texture and nutrients to any recipe. Plus, when mixed with rice or tapioca flour, peanut flour can be a perfect solution for baking cookies, breads, waffles or even dumplings.

Peanut flour not only adds flavor to a dish, it also adds important nutrients that people on a gluten-free diet need. “Grains are an important part of a healthy diet. They are a good source of complex carbohydrates, various vitamins and minerals and are naturally low in fat. Because people with celiac disease must avoid gluten… it can be a challenge to get enough grains.2”

Peanut products like defatted peanut flour offer a variety of nutrients also found in grains. Peanut flour is very low in saturated fat and cholesterol. It is also a good source of folate, magnesium, copper and phosphorus, and an excellent source of niacin, and manganese. Regardless of how you incorporate peanut flour, it is a nutrient-dense food that is a great addition to a nutritious diet.

Gluten-free Cooking Tips

With wheat flour in so many foods – from the obvious baked goods and pasta to the not-so-obvious soup stocks, condiments and even alcoholic beverages – maintaining a gluten-free diet can become time-consuming. Here are some quick tips for managing a gluten-free lifestyle:

  • Become an avid label reader. Many foods contain gluten that you wouldn’t expect to find so make sure you always read the ingredient label.
  • Focus on naturally gluten-free foods: eat fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes like peanuts. Many packaged goods contain a plethora of complex ingredients, making it hard to determine if the product is gluten-free.
  • Wheat-free is not gluten free. Wheat-free doesn’t mean the product doesn’t contain rye or barley so be sure to read labels.
  • When in doubt, go without. If you are unsure of the ingredients in a product then don’t eat it.

Additional Resources:

References

  1. “Celiac Disease.” Sept. 2008. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC). MedlinePlus. 13 Apr. 2009 http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/celiac/
  2. “Celiac Disease Defined.” 5 Jan. 2009. Celiac Spruce Association. MedlinePlus. 13 Apr. 2009 http://www.csaceliacs.org/celiac_defined.php.
  3. “Celiac disease diet: How do I get enough grains?” 31 May 2008. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). MedlinePlus. 13 Apr. 2009 http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/celiac-disease/AN00303/METHOD=print#.
Gluten-Free Living: Cooking Tips (2024)

FAQs

What is surprisingly not gluten-free? ›

20 foods you think are gluten-free but aren't
  • Stock cubes. Some brands of stock cubes contain wheat – check the label or make your own stock at home to be sure it's free from gluten.
  • Buckwheat flour. Buckwheat is naturally gluten-free. ...
  • Dry roasted nuts. ...
  • Couscous. ...
  • Chocolate. ...
  • Taramasalata. ...
  • Some soft, spreadable cheeses. ...
  • Chips.
Apr 3, 2023

Are bananas gluten-free? ›

Bananas (in their natural form) are 100% gluten-free. If you experience issues with eating bananas it may be because of a couple of proteins present in bananas – Marlow over at glutenhatesme.com has an excellent and detailed post on this issue so please head on over to her blog to read more.

What is the trick to baking with gluten-free flour? ›

Use xanthan gum or guar gum: Gluten-free flours lack the elasticity and structure that gluten provides, so adding a binder like xanthan or guar gum can help to hold the ingredients together and give your baked goods a better texture.

How to go 100% gluten-free? ›

Choose naturally gluten-free grains and flours, including rice, corn, soy, potato, tapioca, sorghum, quinoa, millet, buckwheat, cassava, coconut, arrowroot, amaranth, teff, flax, chia, yucca, bean flours, and nut flours.

What are the worst foods for gluten? ›

In general, avoid the following foods if you have celiac disease: Cereals, breads, or other grain products that include wheat, rye, barley, or oats. This includes white or whole-wheat flour (including cookies, crackers, cakes, and most other baked goods), semolina, couscous, bread crumbs, most pastas, and malt.

Why is everyone suddenly gluten-free? ›

Eliminating gluten is the only way to treat celiac disease, an allergic reaction to gluten that damages the lining of the small intestine. However, as part of a new diet fad, many people are going gluten-free to lose weight.

Why can't celiacs eat eggs? ›

Yes, eggs are naturally gluten-free.

However, eggs are often at a high risk for cross-contact due to the ways they are prepared.

Has peanut butter got gluten in it? ›

It's important to know that peanuts, peanut butter, peanut flour and peanut oil are considered naturally gluten-free foods.

Why are many doctors against a gluten-free diet? ›

Numerous studies have shown that diets that are gluten free tend to be deficient in protein, folate, iron, niacin, riboflavin, thiamin, B12, zinc, selenium, and fiber. In addition, they are more apt to have higher levels of nickel, which is highly allergenic to some patients.

What is the closest gluten free flour to all-purpose flour? ›

Brown rice flour is about as close to a 1:1 substitute for all-purpose flour as it gets since it provides structure and a “wheat-like” flavor.

Does oatmeal have gluten? ›

Although oats themselves don't contain gluten, they're often grown alongside other crops. The same equipment is typically used to harvest crops in neighboring fields, which leads to cross-contamination if one of those crops contains gluten.

Is sourdough gluten-free? ›

Sourdough is not gluten free, but we know that many people with IBS, gluten intolerance, or gluten sensitivity can tolerate sourdough bread. This is because the methods used to make sourdough break down some of the gluten in the flour so it is easier to digest. Think of sourdough as low-gluten rather than gluten-free.

What are the first signs of being gluten intolerant? ›

What are the symptoms of gluten intolerance?
  • Abdominal pain.
  • Anemia.
  • Anxiety.
  • Bloating or gas.
  • Brain fog, or trouble concentrating.
  • Depression.
  • Diarrhea or constipation.
  • Fatigue.

Is Ezekiel bread gluten-free? ›

Q: Are Food for Life Ezekiel 4:9®, Genesis 1:29® and 7-Sprouted Grains products "gluten free"? A: No. These products contain naturally occurring gluten. However, our unique sprouting process activates enzymes, which naturally metabolize starch, carbohydrates and gluten protein.

What alcohol is gluten-free? ›

Distilled spirits: Brandy, rum, and tequila are naturally gluten-free. Chopin and Tito's vodkas, Cold River Gin or Schramm Organic Gin, and Queen Jennie Whiskey are gluten-free. Liqueurs: Chartreuse, Cointreau, Disaronno, Grand Marnier, Hennessy, Kahlúa, Sambuca, and Martini are gluten-free.

What hidden ingredients are not gluten-free? ›

If you're trying to follow a gluten-free diet, you need to be aware of ways gluten can be hidden in foods. This includes products containing wheat, barley, or rye. Less obvious gluten-containing ingredients include natural and artificial flavorings, hydrolyzed proteins, and additives made of wheat.

What common ingredients contain gluten? ›

Sources of Gluten
  • Wheat.
  • Varieties and derivatives of wheat such as: ...
  • Rye.
  • Barley.
  • Triticale.
  • Malt in various forms including: malted barley flour, malted milk or milkshakes, malt extract, malt syrup, malt flavoring, malt vinegar.
  • Brewer's Yeast.

Are rice krispies gluten-free? ›

You may think that classic Kellogg's Brand Rice Krispies are gluten-free because rice is a naturally gluten-free grain, but they are made with malt flavoring. The malt is derived from barley which is a gluten-containing grain. Therefore, they are definitely NOT gluten-free!

Is anything actually gluten-free? ›

Foods that are inherently gluten-free, for example bottled spring water, fruits and vegetables, and eggs can also be labeled “gluten-free” provided any gluten that came in contact with the food is less than 20 ppm.

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