8 Foods That Are Surprisingly Gluten Free

Gluten is a protein found primarily in wheat, as well as barley and rye. It is the binding agent that gives most doughs their textures and shapes.

For the majority of people, foods containing gluten are no problem to digest. However, for those with Celiac or gluten sensitivities, consumption of gluten can cause a variety of negative effects, ranging all the way from mild to severe. The most effective way for most people to fix these symptoms is to stop eating gluten.

Below is a list of 8 foods that are surprisingly gluten-free.

1. Other Whole Grains (Besides Wheat, Barley, Rye)

Besides wheat, barley, and rye, you can pretty much eat any other grain without worrying about gluten. That means that the rice, corn, and oats all can stay. Just remember to check the nutrition labels to ensure no contamination from gluten-containing products from the factories.

One other sneaky thing to watch out for is the many different forms of wheat, all with different names (of course). Wheat berries, semolina, farina, durum, spelt, faro, emmer, Eiken, udon, and Khorasan wheat (also known as Kamut) are all ingredients you should avoid if you cannot eat gluten.

2. French Fries

Great news! French fries are, for the most part, gluten free. Since they are made from potatoes, all you have to watch out for is any cross-contamination with other food products that may contain gluten.

Five Guys, In-N-Out Burger, and Sonic are all fast food chains that fry their fries in separate oil, which means that their fries are indeed gluten-free.

3. Potato Chips

Potato chips, also made from potatoes, are thankfully gluten-free as well. However, because they usually come flavored, not every potato chip is safe to eat. If you are unsure, the best way to find out if a packaged food contains gluten is by looking it up.

Frito-Lay has a comprehensive list of their gluten-free products on the company website. Kettle Brand and Utz also offer a variety of gluten-free products, listed on their websites.

4. Tacos

Thought you wouldn't be able to enjoy a delicious, flavorful taco ever again? Well, think again because most tacos are gluten-free – if they use corn tortillas, that is.

The only part you have to double check for is the filling. Since a lot of sauces and marinades are not gluten-free, be aware of what kinds of ingredients are being used to flavor the contents of the taco.

Chipotle is a great option if you don't feel like making your tacos at home. Almost all of their products are gluten free, aside from the flour tortillas. Because the flour tortillas are handled quite often, if you are worried about cross contamination, simply ask the person behind the counter to change their gloves before making your order.

5. Ice Cream

Just because you can't eat gluten, it doesn't mean you have to give up ice cream. There is a surprising amount of ice cream, from many different brands, that is certified gluten-free.

Haagen-Dazs has a whopping 26 gluten-free flavors, including pistachio, coffee, vanilla, and mint chip. Talenti offers 17 gluten-free flavor options as well.

If you prefer to get your ice cream from places like Baskin Robbins, Dairy Queen, Carvel, or Cold Stone, there is no need to worry. Each of these stores also has a variety of gluten-free options to choose from.

6. Pho

Pho, a Vietnamese noodle soup, is usually made with rice noodles, which means that, most of the time, it is safe to eat. The broth and the vegetables are almost always gluten-free as well.

However, one thing to watch out for is the use of any sauces or condiments added for flavoring. These sauces, such as plum or hoisin sauce, may contain gluten, so don’t forget to ask about it.

7. Macarons

Yes, macarons – the tiny delicious French sandwich cookies – are gluten-free. Unlike other cookies, these are made from almond flour, egg whites, and sugar, which means that they don't contain any gluten. Definitely exciting news!

As macarons are usually filled with some sort of creme, be sure to certify that it as well is gluten-free.

8. Beans and Legumes

Like fruits and vegetables, plain beans and legumes are naturally gluten-free. That includes chickpeas, lentils, black beans, and soybeans – all of which are packed with fiber and high in iron.

This is especially good to know, considering that many packaged products are made with them, such as chickpea pasta or hummus.

Most importantly, when you are buying gluten-free, don’t forget to read the nutrition labels for allergen information, and check for that gluten-free certification.

Happy eating!