Adjusting to a gluten-free diet can be a challenge. The protein gluten is found in grains such as wheat, barley and rye. It can be found in many of the foods Americans enjoy on a daily basis and are pretty obvious: bread, pasta, cookies, and other pastries. But did you know that gluten is also found in ice cream?
How can that be? Even the Mayo Clinic lists dairy on its healthy and naturally gluten-free list. According to Jane Anderson, a celiac disease and gluten sensitivity expert, gluten can lurk in ice cream in obvious and not so obvious ways.
Take some popular ice cream flavors like chocolate chip cookie dough or cookies and cream. While the ice cream itself is likely safe, those flavorful chunks of dough, cookies, and brownies are little gluten bombs and best avoided.
Gluten can be found in ice cream is less obvious ways. For example, national brand Blue Bell Creamery’s chocolate ice cream contains gluten. Ice cream parlors that sell “home made” ice cream often contain flour as an ingredient. So it’s best to read labels at the supermarket and ask for an ingredients list at retail ice cream shops.
There’s also the potential for cross contamination when ice cream is made, which as a consumer can be difficult or impossible to discern when buying ice cream. To be safe, Anderson suggests sticking with popular flavors like vanilla and chocolate that are produced in large quantities and therefore less likely to be exposed to ingredients in other flavors that may include gluten.
Fortunately, there are ice creams that are certified gluten-free like Thrive Ice Cream, which also has numerous other nutritional benefits such as 24 vitamins and minerals, four active probiotics, high protein and natural fiber. All four flavors of Thrive Ice Cream – Simply Chocolate, Creamy Vanilla, Buttered Pecan and Salted Caramel – are gluten free. The no sugar added varieties are also gluten free.
When it comes to a gluten-free diet, all ice creams are not “safe” to consume. Make sure you review the ingredients. Or, to be absolutely sure you’re getting a delicious, gluten-free treat, always buy Thrive Ice Cream!
For more information on Thrive or to order online, visit our website.