Are Cold Cuts Gluten Free?

When You Go Gluten Free are You Saying Farewell to Your Favorite Lunch Time Meats? Are Cold Cuts Gluten Free?

The Short Answer:

Many cold cuts contain gluten. Make sure you check with your deli before purchasing.

The Long Answer:

Meat in its natural state has a low risk of containing gluten. If you cook up some fresh burgers on the grill, for instance, you’re not going to encounter any gluten-related issues. Processed meats like cold cuts, however, run the gluten risk due to the various ingredients added in their production.

Many deli meats contain starches and seasoning made from wheat products, which would make your favorite lunch time turkey chock full of gluten, and could trigger an allergic reaction in certain individuals. In a deli it is rare to be able to check labels, so ask one of the employees if specific meats have gluten. In today’s gluten conscious world, cold cuts that are gluten-free should be proudly shouting their status on the packaging.

What is Gluten?

Gluten is a name for proteins found in rye, wheat, barley and triticale. Gluten functions as an edible adhesive, holding foods together and maintaining their shape.

Gluten can be dangerous for those with an autoimmune reaction known as celiac disease. Affected individuals could see heightened weight loss, vomiting, abdominal pain, bloating, persistent diarrhea or constipation, brain fog and a skin disease called dermatitis.

Gluten is also known to cause gut inflammation, which can lead to digested food making its way into the bloodstream through the intestines. As such, harmful viruses and bacteria that would have normally been eliminated by the digestive system could be let loose into the bloodstream.

Eliminating gluten from your diet can lead to easy weight loss and increased energy in individuals, which is why it has become such a popular diet trend.