When you make the decision to go gluten-free, it can feel like it’s in everything you eat. Every label seems to have wheat, or barley, or glucose or some other gluten-containing ingredient.
It’s everywhere!
Literally!
Even in places you might not have thought of!
Today I’m going to share with five extra places you need to check if you are eliminating gluten.
1. Make-up
Did you know that many lipsticks (which by default we place on our mouths – so are readily digested, even if we don’t “eat it”) contain gluten! So do foundations, skin creams, lotions, deodorants and all manner of cosmetics!
Time to head to the bathroom and start checking labels!
2. Shampoo
While you’re in the bathroom check your haircare products too. Shampoo, conditioner and shower gels often contain ingredients such as hydrolysed wheat protein – even if they are marketed as “organic” or “plant based” – both of which wheat naturally is!
3. Herbal Tea
I have to admit, this one really took me by surprise!
I was over at my Mum’s one day, and making a cup of herbal lemon and ginger tea (admittedly from a tea bag, not with fresh lemon and ginger), and being the chronic label-reader that I am, I turned the box over for a quick squiz while I was waiting for the kettle to boil.
Lo and behold – there it was listed in the ingredients, plain as day!
Lesson learned for me – make no assumptions! It can be lurking in the places you least expect it!
4. Playdoh
Now I don’t expect that you pack a lump of playdoh in your lunchbox, but if you have a young child, this is one of the most commonly overlooked sources of gluten. The number of times I’ve spoken with Mums who have been wringing their hands in despair because they know their child isn’t eating gluten, but they are not seeing any relief in their symptoms – only to discover that their little one is a closet-playdoh-nibbler!
Even if they don’t eat the playdoh directly (which let’s face it, many kids do), playing with it in their hands and then putting their hands to their mouth is more than enough exposure. Even if they don’t put their hands in their mouth, it can absorb through the skin.
So if you have young ones that are gluten-free, make sure that their playdoh is too!
5. Medications
This one is a doosy!
The very thing you take to make yourself feel better, may infact be keeping you ill.
Yes, your medications may contain gluten.
If they do, DO NOT SUDDENLY STOP TAKING THEM!
It is absolutely imperative that you continue to take any medicaton your doctor or healthcare provider has prescribed you. This includes prescription medication, over the counter medication, herbal medication and nutritional supplements. If you find that they do contain gluten, speak with your practitioner about your concerns and request a gluten-free alternative.
So there you have it. Five hidden sources of gluten you may not have thought about!
If it all feels completely overwhelming, and just too hard, pop your details in the box below and I’ll let you know when my 6 Weeks to Gluten & Dairy-free program opens. I’ve got all the tips, techniques and sneaky ideas (along with all the support you’ll ever need) to make the transition smooth, stress-free, affordable and tasty. No cardboard flavoured gluten-free products I promise!!!
