With gluten intolerance on the rise, many restaurants are making an effort to keep their menus easy to navigate for people who need to avoid gluten in their foods. During the holidays especially, with so many holiday parties for work and with friends, it can be difficult to avoid temptation or know exactly what ingredients are in a food. That’s why having a list of common foods likely to contain gluten is a great first step in helping to reduce inadvertent exposure.
There are a myriad of foods that may contain gluten, such as:
- Canned soups
- Ice cream
- Bulgur
- Seitan
- Wheat starch
- Couscous
- Matzoh
- Semolina
- Wheat germ
- Spelt
- Beer
- Salad dressing
- Sausage
- Veggie burgers
Additionally, here is a helpful list of various food preparation styles that may contain hidden gluten – watch out for these terms on a menu:
- Phyla
- Fricassee
- Soufflé
- Meniere
- Bisque
- Teriyaki or soy sauces
- Au gratin
- Crusted
- Dusted
- Battered
If you are ever unsure if a dish is gluten-free or not, call ahead before dining (this is particularly important during peak holiday times) and speak to the server and/or kitchen staff regarding any allergies or gluten-free requests in order to have a safe and healthy dining experience.
