Pictured recipe:Garlic Mashed Red Potatoes
What Is Gluten?
It helps food maintain its shape and structure, and it gives many doughs their stretchy texture.
Barley is commonly found in beer, brewer’s yeast and food coloring.
Will Dickey
Rye is present in beer, bread and some cereals.
Triticale is a newer grain and is often in bread, pasta and cereals.
As a matter of fact, eatingwhole grainsthat contain gluten has been linked tolower cardiovascular disease risk.
However, celiac disease is an autoimmune condition that causes damage to the small intestines after eating gluten.
People who have celiac disease need to follow a gluten-free diet.
Are Potatoes Gluten-Free?
Potatoes are a naturally gluten-free starchy vegetable.
The only ingredient in a potato is, well, potato.
Potatoes are plucked from the ground, cleaned and sold in their original form.
They do not contain any wheat, rye, barley or triticale.
Some processed foods that contain potatoes may have other gluten-containing ingredients.
For example, if boxed mashed potatoes are thickened with flour, they are not gluten-free.
Most potato chips are gluten-free and made with potatoes, oil and salt.
Some frozen potato products may contain sauces or seasonings that have gluten.
If those items are not present, it’s likely that the food is gluten-free.
For those who have celiac disease, any exposure to even small amounts of gluten can be dangerous.
It’s best to avoid these foods unless they are specifically labeled gluten-free.
Here are some simple ways to make potato dishes from scratch at home.
The Bottom Line
Potatoes are naturally gluten-free vegetables.
If you’re following a gluten-free diet, you’re able to feel good about consuming potatoes regularly.
When making potato dishes at home, the possibilities are endless.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, potatoes are naturally gluten-free and can be part of a gluten-free diet.
Some processed potato foods may contain gluten, so be sure to read the label.
Most of the time french fries are made with just potatoes, oil and salt and are gluten-free.
However, some french fry products may contain ingredients that have gluten.
Read the ingredients to ensure they do not include wheat, rye, barley or triticale.
Rice does not have any gluten.
It’s a naturally gluten-free grain that is a great base for many dishes.