Gluten is the starch in certain grains such as wheat, oats, rye, barley and triticale, therefore any foods containing one or more of these items or products thereof must be avoided by Coeliacs. Most breakfast cereals therefore contain gluten. Even cornflakes and rice cereals can contain gluten due to the malt extract most of them have in them. Most manufactured foods also contain gluten, usually in the form of wheat starch. Nowadays there are many foods manufactured especially for the coeliac or gluten-intolerant person that will be gluten-free and have this written on the packet. Normal breads, biscuits, cakes, pies, pastries and most lollies are out as well. Being the mother of a Coeliac means it is now second nature to me to read the list of ingredients on a packet before purchase. Sometimes the least likely food has gluten hidden in it in some form or other. It is even in some flavoured yoghurts and ice-creams. Sausages are another hazard as well as ham or any other manufactured meats. You can get gluten-free ones, but have to look for them specially. The main ingredient to look for as well as gluten is starch. Most times they use wheat starch which is NOT gluten-free, but corn starch is fine. In fact, corn, rice, fruit, vegetables and natural cuts of meat, e.g. chops, steak, chicken etc are free from gluten. If the chicken is cooked with stuffing, then that is not safe either. You also have to be careful of tablets as some contain gluten. It all sounds pretty difficult, but once you get the hang of it it is not all that bad. You do get used to it.
