Learning all the usual gluten-containing foods, such as breads and pasta, is only part of the challenge of going gluten-free. Gluten makes soups and sauces thicker and salad dressings creamier, keeps yogurt and soft cheeses firm and dried spices from clumping up, and it keeps candy bars from sticking to the factory conveyor belt. Gluten appears in the filler in pills and tablets and hides in lipsticks, toothpaste, and even mouthwash. If your celiac child is prone to putting everything in his mouth, you’ll also need to watch out for crayons and Play Doh, which also contain gluten. What’s more, even if gluten isn’t an ingredient in the product you’re purchasing, it might have gluten in it due to cross-contamination.
Tina Turbin
This is absolutely true. There are so many hidden gluten sources out there. Parents really have to watch out!
I had no idea gluten was used in these ways. Interesting!
Wow…these really are HIDDEN sources. I really had no idea.
Wow i didn’t even know about crayons and Play-doh…thanks for this helpful information, Tina!
Thanks for the help you give to parents of celiac children such as myself. We really appreciate the great tips!
holy moly, I’m not celiac or do I know any celiacs, but this is really interesting to note! Who knows…I just may find this useful. I bet so many of these companies could just cut gluten out of their manufacturing or packaging processes and they wouldn’t even miss it.
Thank you Tina! My granddaughter is gluten-sensitive. I wrote down all of these hidden sources and posted them on the refrigerator so I will keep them in mind.
Yikes there are so many hidden sources!
I agree that teachers should get this for sure. If you have a celiac child, forward this to their teachers if you have their email address!
Thanks Tina for all you do on behalf of gluten-free kids!
wow, I knew about a few of these, but toothpaste, huh? and crayons? I really wonder how necessary gluten even is in this products.
Scary! I really had no clue…
I agree with Tiffanie: I bet these companies don’t even need to put gluten in these products or they could at least find some substitute!
Wow I didn’t know either and I’m sure that gluten hardly adds anything to these products of value and can easily be substituted for another ingredient!!!
Thanks Tina for sharing these. Even non-gluten-free families should be aware of these in case they have celiac or gluten-sensitive children over at their house or provide some sort of care or service to them such as a teacher or nanny.
You know, joining a celiac support group is a great way for children (and their parents) to learn about all these hidden sources that they might not have heard about just from doctors visits and reading pamphlets and websites. -Kelly