Patrick Oconnell
Cheese is a beloved food item, but is it gluten-free? The answer is not so straightforward. Most cheeses are naturally gluten-free, as gluten is a protein found in grains like wheat, rye, and barley, rather than in dairy products. However, some processed cheeses may contain gluten due to added ingredients or cross-contamination during production. It is important to read labels and look for gluten-containing ingredients, such as wheat starch or modified food starch. Some hard cheeses may be soaked in beer, for example, which would make them unsuitable for a gluten-free diet. Additionally, non-dairy cheese alternatives may also contain gluten, so it is crucial to check their ingredients as well.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Most cheeses are gluten-free | Yes |
| Plain and full-fat cheeses are gluten-free | Yes |
| Processed cheese is gluten-free | No |
| Dairy-free cheese is gluten-free | No |
| Gluten-free cheese alternatives | Nutritional yeast, avocado |
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What You'll Learn
- Most hard cheeses are gluten-free, but always check the label
- Dairy is a naturally gluten-free food group
- Additional ingredients increase the risk of gluten being present
- Gluten-free alternatives to cheese include avocado and nutritional yeast
- Gluten-containing ingredients are often used as thickeners or stabilizers
Most hard cheeses are gluten-free, but always check the label
Most hard cheeses are gluten-free, but it is always important to check the label. This is because while milk and most of the ingredients used to make cheese are gluten-free, some additives and processing techniques may introduce gluten.
Cheese is made from milk, which is naturally gluten-free. Most cheeses are made from cow's milk, but some varieties, like feta, are made from goat's or sheep's milk, and buffalo mozzarella is made from buffalo milk. The milk is pasteurized to kill harmful bacteria and then cultured to start the process of turning the milk into cheese. The type of culture and the length of the aging process determine the final flavor and texture of the cheese.
Some additives used in the cheese-making process may contain gluten. Gluten-containing ingredients are often used as thickeners in certain types of cheese or as stabilizers to increase shelf life. Some ingredients that may indicate gluten on a food label include hydrolyzed wheat protein, malt, food starch, powdered cellulose, artificial flavor, fillers, emulsifiers, and spice blends. Additionally, some cheeses are soaked in beer, which contains gluten. Therefore, it is important to read the ingredient list on cheeses if they are not labeled or certified gluten-free.
Some types of cheese are more likely to be gluten-free than others. Plain and full-fat cheeses are most likely to be gluten-free, while cheese with add-ins, as well as low-fat, low-salt, and fat-free cheese, are more likely to contain gluten. Natural cheeses, such as Cheddar and Parmesan, are also less likely to contain gluten. Other cheeses that are usually gluten-free include Swiss, Brie, cottage cheese (although some brands may contain wheat starch), cream cheese, feta, goat cheese, mozzarella, provolone, and ricotta.
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Dairy is a naturally gluten-free food group
Cheese is made from milk, and most types of cheese are gluten-free. However, some varieties of cheese may contain gluten. For example, cottage cheese is usually gluten-free, but some brands may contain wheat starch or modified food starch made from wheat. Other cheeses that are usually gluten-free include Cheddar, Swiss, mozzarella, feta, goat cheese, and Brie.
Cheeses that have undergone additional processing, such as shredded cheese or cheese spreads, are more likely to contain gluten. Gluten-containing ingredients may be used as thickeners or stabilizers in certain types of cheese. It is important to read the labels of packaged or processed cheese to ensure they are gluten-free.
Some non-dairy cheese alternatives may also contain gluten. These cheeses are usually made from plant sources, such as soy or nuts. It is important to read the labels of non-dairy cheeses to ensure they are gluten-free.
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Additional ingredients increase the risk of gluten being present
While dairy is considered a gluten-free product, some types of cheese may contain gluten due to additional ingredients. According to the Celiac Disease Foundation, dairy is a food group that does not naturally contain gluten. However, some cheese products may contain ingredients that are a source of gluten. Therefore, it is important to read the labels of all packaged or processed cheese before consuming it.
Cheese starts with milk from a cow, sheep, goat, or buffalo, which is pasteurized to kill harmful bacteria and then cultured to turn the milk into cheese. While milk and most ingredients used to make cheese are gluten-free, the final product might not be due to the cultures used and any additives. For example, gluten-containing ingredients are often used as thickeners or stabilizers to increase the shelf life of cheese. Some ingredients that may indicate gluten on a food label include hydrolyzed wheat protein, malt, food starch, powdered cellulose, artificial flavor, fillers, emulsifiers, and spice blends.
Cheese that contains add-ins, as well as low-fat, low-salt, and fat-free cheese, are more likely to contain gluten. Any cheese that has undergone additional processing, such as shredded cheese or cheese spread, is also more likely to contain gluten. Cross-contamination is another concern if the same tools or equipment are used to process gluten-containing products. Some hard cheeses are soaked in beer, for example, which deposits gluten on them and makes them unsafe for a gluten-free diet.
It is important to note that even if a cheese doesn't contain any sources of gluten on the ingredients list, one should still be cautious. Always look for the "certified gluten-free" label to be sure. Additionally, if you are unsure about a particular product, you can contact the manufacturer for more information.
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Gluten-free alternatives to cheese include avocado and nutritional yeast
While most cheeses are gluten-free, some cheese products may contain gluten. It is always a good idea to read the labels of all packaged or processed cheese before eating it.
If you are looking for gluten-free alternatives to cheese, you can try avocado or nutritional yeast. Avocados are a naturally gluten-free alternative that adds flavour and a creamy texture to dishes such as sandwiches, salads, or avocado toast. Nutritional yeast is another gluten-free, dairy-free alternative to cheese. It is grown, harvested, and dried, and often used as a topping or seasoning. Nutritional yeast is fat-free, sugar-free, gluten-free, and sodium-free, making it a healthier alternative to cheese. It can be sprinkled on top of dishes or added to sauces to impart a cheese-like flavour. It is also a good source of vitamin B12, which is usually found in animal products.
Chickpea flour is another gluten-free option that can be used as a base to create a nutritional yeast substitute. It can be mixed with cheese substitutes, water, and spices to create a thick paste that can be used in various vegan recipes.
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Gluten-containing ingredients are often used as thickeners or stabilizers
Most cheeses are naturally gluten-free. However, some processed cheese products may contain gluten. Gluten-containing ingredients are often used as thickeners or stabilizers in cheese products. For example, shredded cheese may contain starch or cellulose to prevent shreds from sticking together. While the starches/cellulose used in shredded cheese typically do not contain gluten, if the cellulose is derived from wheat, this should be stated on the label.
Some dairy-free cheeses are made with flour and are not gluten-free. Additionally, cheese spreads may not be gluten-free due to ingredients used to create consistency or add flavoring. While cheese powder is usually gluten-free, it is important to check the label. Cheesecake is not gluten-free unless specified on the label because the crust is made with wheat flour. Breaded mozzarella sticks are also not gluten-free unless otherwise specified.
When purchasing cheese, it is important to read the labels of all packaged or processed cheese products. Aside from wheat, barley, and rye, individuals should also ensure that cheese does not contain wheat starch or modified food starch made from wheat. If purchasing cheese from a deli counter, the cheese must be gluten-free, and the machine used to slice the cheese must be cleaned to prevent cross-contact.
Some suggest that mold cultures of cheese, such as blue cheese, may be grown on wheat or rye bread, so it is recommended to read the ingredients label. Generally, unless the ingredients label includes wheat, barley, rye, or their derivatives, cheese should be safe.
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Frequently asked questions
Most cheeses are naturally gluten-free, but some processed varieties may contain gluten. Dairy, in general, is considered a gluten-free product. However, certain types of cheeses may contain gluten.
Here are some examples of gluten-free hard cheeses:
- Cheddar
- Colby jack
- Swiss
- Parmesan
- Provolone
Some hard cheeses that may contain gluten include blue cheese and beer-soaked cheeses.
