Grocery Stores—A Guide

Raw fruits and vegetables are your friend.

Some grocery stores feature a dedicated section for gluten-free items. But just because an item is in that section doesn’t mean it’s safe for people with celiac disease. Other stores organize products by type and will place gluten-free products in the same aisle as the gluten-containing items.

Check the “Nutrition Facts” panel. Under the box that highlights calories and other info, there’s an “Ingredients” section, where the actual ingredients are listed. Below the “Ingredients” section is the “Allergen statement." This statement begins with “May contain:” or “Contains:"

Packaged items that are labeled with “May contain” or “Contains” WHEAT are not safe for those with Celiac disease.

Other names for gluten: wheat, barley, rye.

In the grab-and-go section:

Miso, a soup base, may be made with barley.

Soy sauce contains gluten. Reach for the tamari-based soy sauce for your sushi.

Pizza with gluten-free crust might be baked in the same ovens as regular gluten-based pizzas. Ask before you skip out the door with a pizza that may make you sick.

At the deli counter:

Deli meats, including processed lunch meats, may include Hydrolyzed wheat protein (found in meat, fish, and poultry)

At the fish counter:

Imitation seafood and seitan may contain gluten

In the vegan section:

Veggie burgers, sausage, and bacon might include fillers that contain gluten