In This ArticleView AllIn This ArticleWhat Is Gluten?Are Potatoes Gluten-Free?Tips for Eating Potatoes If You Avoid GlutenFAQs
In This ArticleView All
View All
In This Article
What Is Gluten?
Are Potatoes Gluten-Free?
Tips for Eating Potatoes If You Avoid Gluten
FAQs
If you’re following agluten-free diet, you may feel like most of your favorite starchy foods are off-limits. But since potatoes aren’t a grain, you may wonder if they fall in the gluten-containing or gluten-free category. Here, we break down what exactly gluten is and what foods contain it, whether or not potatoes and potato products (like potato chips and mashed potato products) are gluten-free, and how to incorporate potatoes into a healthy gluten-free diet.
Pictured recipe:Garlic Mashed Red Potatoes
Glutenis a type of protein found in wheat, rye, barley and triticale (a cross between wheat and rye). It helps food maintain its shape and structure, and it gives many doughs their stretchy texture.
To determine if a product has gluten, look for wheat, rye, barley or triticale on the ingredients list. Wheat is often present in bread, pasta, baked goods, some sauces and dressings, seitan, cereals and even canned soups. Wheat is also present in many whole grains, such as wheat berries, semolina, spelt, farina, farro, Kamut and einkorn. Barley is commonly found in beer, brewer’s yeast and food coloring. Rye is present in beer, bread and some cereals. Triticale is a newer grain and is often in bread, pasta and cereals.
Although gluten has received some negative scrutiny, there is no research to show that it’s harmful to health for those without gluten intolerance. As a matter of fact, eatingwhole grainsthat contain gluten has been linked tolower cardiovascular disease risk. However, celiac disease is an autoimmune condition that causes damage to the small intestines after eating gluten. People who have celiac disease need to follow a gluten-free diet.
Potatoes are a naturally gluten-free starchy vegetable. The only ingredient in a potato is, well, potato. Potatoes are plucked from the ground, cleaned and sold in their original form. They do not contain any wheat, rye, barley or triticale.
Some processed foods that contain potatoes may have other gluten-containing ingredients. For example, if boxed mashed potatoes are thickened with flour, they are not gluten-free. Most potato chips are made with potatoes, oil and salt and are also gluten-free. Some frozen potato products may contain sauces or seasonings that have gluten. If you’re unsure whether or not a potato product has gluten, check the ingredients list for wheat, rye, barley or triticale. If those items are not present, it’s likely that the food is gluten-free.
Also, unless stated on the package, many processed foods are made in facilities that may have housed other products that may contain gluten. For those who have celiac disease, any exposure to even small amounts of gluten can be dangerous. It’s best to avoid these foods unless they are specifically labeled gluten-free.
Will Dickey
Since potatoes are gluten-free, the preparations for gluten-free potato dishes are endless. Here are some simple ways to make potato dishes from scratch at home.
If you’re out at a restaurant and worried that a potato dish may not be gluten-free, ask your server to clarify with the kitchen staff. To make it as clear as possible, ask them to list the ingredients that are present in the dish.
The Bottom Line
Potatoes are naturally gluten-free vegetables. If you’re following a gluten-free diet, you can feel good about consuming potatoes regularly. When making potato dishes at home, the possibilities are endless. Just be sure that you don’t mix potatoes with any ingredients that contain gluten, such as flour or certain sauces.
Frequently Asked QuestionsYes, potatoes are naturally gluten-free and can be part of a gluten-free diet. Some processed potato foods may contain gluten, so be sure to read the label.Most of the time french fries are made with just potatoes, oil and salt and are gluten-free. However, some french fry products may contain ingredients that have gluten. Read the ingredients to ensure they do not include wheat, rye, barley or triticale.Rice does not have any gluten. It’s a naturally gluten-free grain that is a great base for many dishes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, potatoes are naturally gluten-free and can be part of a gluten-free diet. Some processed potato foods may contain gluten, so be sure to read the label.
Most of the time french fries are made with just potatoes, oil and salt and are gluten-free. However, some french fry products may contain ingredients that have gluten. Read the ingredients to ensure they do not include wheat, rye, barley or triticale.
Rice does not have any gluten. It’s a naturally gluten-free grain that is a great base for many dishes.
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