Oats are a highly nutritious grain with many health benefits. They’re a popular breakfast porridge and are also found in granola, muesli, and other foods and snacks. However, you may wonder whether oats and oatmeal contain gluten . This article explores whether you can include oats in a gluten-free diet. What’s the problem with gluten?
Do oatmeal contain gluten?
Oats do not inherently contain gluten . The reason they are often included in the list of grains that people on a gluten free diet should avoid is because oats have historically been grown with or around gluten-containing grains. Farmers might rotate crops with wheat one year and oats the next,.
Why do oats have gluten?
Pure oats are gluten-free and safe for most people with gluten intolerance. However, oats are often contaminated with gluten because they may be processed in the same facilities as gluten-containing grains like wheat, rye, and barley.
So, why do some oats have gluten?
However, oats are often contaminated with gluten because they may be processed in the same facilities as gluten-containing grains like wheat, rye, and barley. Studies show that most people with celiac disease or wheat allergy can eat 2–3.5 ounces (50–100 grams) of pure oats per day without adverse effects ( 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 ).
One answer is Gluten is a protein found in grains like wheat, barley, and rye. Most people can tolerate it, but it can harm some individuals. Are oats gluten- free ?
Large, big-box commercial rolled oats are often produced, processed or packaged in facilities that also handle other grains like wheat, barley or rye–all of which contain gluten .
Oat products are often labelled as ‘100% oats’, ‘pure oats’ or ‘organic’ oats. These terms do not tell you whether or not the product is gluten free . It’s a legal requirement for grains which contain gluten, including oats, to be listed in an ingredients list if they have been used as a deliberate ingredient, regardless of the amount used .
Do I have gluten sensitivity to oatmeal?
If you have celiac or gluten sensitivity , the only way for you to determine if you react to oatmeal is to try some (start with just a couple of spoonfuls) in its pure, gluten-free form. There is some anecdotal evidence that people who are more sensitive to gluten also react more frequently to oats, but there’s no research to prove it.
If you have gluten sensitivity, you can take any kind of oats like pure oats, oat flour, and oatmeal. But it needs to be pure and uncontaminated. Oats can be contaminated while harvesting, processing, storing, and during transportation.
Most people with coeliac disease can eat gluten free oats. Many standard oats are produced in the same place as wheat, barley and rye, which makes them unsafe because they can be contaminated. A very small number of people are still sensitive to gluten free oats.
Are steel cut oats gluten-free?
Therefore, if you have an allergy or sensitivity to gluten, you need to be careful about looking for those labeled/certified as gluten-free. Steel-cut, rolled and quick/instant oats can all be gluten-free if they are labeled as so. An organic seal does not mean they are free of gluten — only a gluten-free label does.
Why are oats bad for You?
Many standard oats are produced in the same place as wheat, barley and rye, which makes them unsafe because they can be contaminated . A very small number of people are still sensitive to gluten free oats. Are oats gluten free?