Unfortunately, labels don’t always just say “Gluten” and that’s the end of it. Gluten comes in all shapes, sizes, and names. Labels don’t always say whether something is gluten-free or not. So here is a list of things that contain gluten that you don’t want on the label.
ALWAYS AVOID
Wheat
Rye
Barley
Maltodextrin (I’ve had mixed notes on maltodextrin. It’s made from starch, and often the starch used is wheat. Some people say, however, that maltodextrin is so processed that the gluten content is processed right out of it. Also, on some labels you will see ‘Wheat Maltodextrin,’ and on others it will just say ‘Maltodextrin’. Just because it doesn’t have wheat before it does not necessarily mean that the maltodextrin is not made from wheat. See here for more on this).
Vinegar (really, this one depends on which kind of vinegar. Malt vinegar is definitely a no-go. White vinegar can be made from a number of starches, including gluten, and so it is not guarenteed safe. Apple cider vinegar, wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar, and cane vinegar are gluten-free. See here for more).
Modified Food Starch
Natural Flavors
Artificial Flavors
Emulsifiers
Bulgur
Durum flour
Farina
Graham flour
Kamut
Semolina
Spelt
Malt
CHECK AND DOUBLE CHECK
Some things don’t seem like they should contain gluten…but they do. Double check these:
Licorice
Ketchup 
Mayonnaise
Vinegar
Various Sauces
Salad Dressings
Nuts
Oats
Soy Sauce
Canned Soups/Stews/Prepackaged Meals
Play-Dough (Usually contains wheat)
CHECK FOR:
The words Gluten Free (This means you are good to go)
The Words Wheat Free (This doesn’t always mean that the item is gluten-free!)
List of Allergens (May tell you straight off if it contains wheat. If it says that, then obviously, don’t buy it)
Processed In Facility (Below the “ingredients” list, there is a list which tells whether or not the item is processed in a facility containing wheat. If it is processed in a facility containing wheat, it may have been cross-contaminated!)
Oats (These may have been contaminated with gluten…oats are not always safe!)
ALWAYS AVOID UNLESS LABELED GLUTEN FREE
You should avoid these unless, yes, labeled gluten free OR, for some, you have checked them and they appear to have no gluten. If you are in doubt about whether or not it contains wheat, don’t eat it. Don’t risk feeling sick for a week.
Breads
Beer
Cakes and Pies
Candies
Cereals
Cookies and Crackers
Croutons
French Fries
Vegetables in Sauce
Gravies
Pastas
Seasoned Snack Foods (such as potato and tortilla chips).
Processed Lunch Meats (we always ask the person at the counter if we can see an ingredient list. They are usually very helpful).
Pre-made meals
Soups and Soup Bases
I love your blog, it’s very informative for those of us just starting out with gluten free diets. I have a question though. Ii may sound silly, but why would natural flavors contain gluten? I thought if it was natural it would be okay.
Thanks again for all of your help, you’re a very wise 17 year old!
Natural flavors aren’t necessarily natural. According to Today.com (food), “Both artificial and natural flavors are made by “flavorists” in a laboratory by blending either “natural” chemicals or “synthetic” chemicals to create flavorings.” So in other words, natural flavors are derived from natural products, but after all the processing the word “natural” doesn’t necessarily mean healthy. Natural flavors are occasionally made from wheat, rye, or barley. If they are, however, the gluten is almost always mentioned in the list of allergens. So if you see “natural flavors” on the label, just double check the list of allergens.
Hi,
Thank you for your blog, we love the Chocolate Fudge Brownie Cookies! and that was the first thing we tried. Now we are looking forward to trying more recepies. 🙂
Just a Comment: you said “all circled ingredients are EVIL” That is true, but you forgot one: the last ingredient: Carrageenan. Carrageenan is from red seaweed, and for many of us, very harmful.
See this: http://www.prevention.com/food/healthy-eating-tips/carrageenan-natural-ingredient-you-should-ban-your-diet
Hi! I’m just starting to read more about a gluten free lifestyle and I just want to be clear when reading the labels. I use an organic Italian dressing from Whole Foods but it does not say gluten free however I don’t see any ingredients that contain gluten. It does say contains soy ingredients. Produced in a facility that processes peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, fish and wheat. Does that mean I should avoid this product?
Hmmm Stephanie, depends how sensitive you are. With new label regulations since I wrote this post, it is now required for the label to say “Contains wheat, soy, nuts, etc” as well as the “Processed in a facility” note. If it says it contains wheat, then you definitely don’t want to eat it. If it says it’s processed in a facility, it depends. If you’re celiac, you may want to avoid even products that have been processed in a facility. If you’re just gluten intolerant but very sensitive, I’d avoid it. If you’re not all that sensitive, maybe give it a try and see how you feel. I’ll say it again: it really just depends on how sensitive you are. Hope this helps!