Gluten-free labels have become so helpful!
Whenever we have a new item in the house, my youngest child will ask, “Is that Gluten-free?”
He knows we can only eat gluten-free items, and knows to ask before he eats anything. Now that he is starting to read, he looks for the “GF” or “GLUTEN-FREE” label on the package. Already, at 6, he knows to read the gluten-free labels.
Yet, as we grow and follow this lifestyle, is this something we take for granted?
Checking your gluten-free labels should be HIGH PRIORITY in following a gluten-free lifestyle – whether you have Celiac Disease, gluten-intolerance or are fighting any Auto-Immune Disease. With the labeling updates showing “Certified Gluten-Free,” we have come a long way since I started this journey. Grocery shopping was not fun back then. Labels could say gluten-free but then ingredients weren’t always clear that they were in FACT gluten-free. It was a super confusing time!
Now, overall, the labeling laws have our backs. We can be guided by the multiple gluten-free labels we find on a label today.
Stricter laws are in place about processing foods and gluten-free facilities, as well as how much gluten is allowed to be in a package to call it gluten-free.
This should make us feel better about the food we choose to eat.
Be careful of similar labels
Have you ever shopped in a hurry and grabbed what you thought was your gluten-free version of a certain product, like waffles or cereal? Then, when you get home, you find that they are NOT the gluten-free version? I have found that ALL too many packages made by the same companies do little to differentiate between their gluten-full and gluten-free versions.
Ingesting the “regular version” of what you thought were your gluten-free waffles will not feel too great after you devour your breakfast. So . . . yes . . . you need to read your labels.
This is one reason why I LOVE the stores that separate the gluten-free foods into their own section in the store. So helpful!
But, this is also a HUGE reason why you do need to read labels and recheck EVERY TIME you purchase your food. Once, I noticed someone loaded the gluten-free section of waffles with regular waffles – BIG mistake – especially as they had relatively the same box, except for the words Gluten-Free. So, even in the segregated gluten-free areas, always check your labels.
Always read your food labels
Important reminders:
Wheat Free doesn’t mean gluten-free.
Organic doesn’t mean gluten-free.
Non-GMO doesn’t mean gluten-free.
All-Natural doesn’t mean gluten-free.
All of the above labels are good to GO ALONG WITH your GLUTEN-FREE label, meaning you may be choosing a healthier version of the product. Yet, they do not mean gluten-free on their own.
Not paying attention to your
gluten-free labels
can really set you back on a
healthy gluten-free journey!
Keep yourself healthy and
look for the gluten-free labels!
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