Is Peanut Butter Gluten Free? You Won’t Believe the Facts!
Is Peanut Butter Gluten Free? The simple answer to this question is “Yes, Peanut butter is gluten-free in its purest form. The ingredients used in peanut butter are naturally gluten-free.
But that does not make it safe for people having gluten sensitivity and celiac disease. Want to know why? Then keep reading this post to know all the factors.
Peanut butter tastes like nuts and it is mostly used with toast, oatmeals, yogurt, smoothies, desserts, and many more foods. If you’ve a busy routine or you don’t find enough time to prepare breakfast, then this food is the best option for you.
However, people with gluten sensitivity or Celiac disease are confused if Peanut butter is Gluten free? They got confused if it is safe to include Peanut butter in your diet?
In this condition, you should be aware of each food you add to your diet to maintain your gluten-free lifestyle. Don’t worry! Here, we will answer your questions in detail.
We will discuss what factors make peanut butter unsafe for celiac patients. We will talk about the ingredients of peanut butter, what brands you can safely use, and the best ways to add peanut butter to your diet.
So keep reading to get your answer about “Is Peanut Butter Gluten-Free?”
Nutritional Profile of Cream Cheese
Natural peanut butter has many nutritional benefits. It is full of minerals, vitamins and healthy protein and fats in it. Peanut butter is low in carbs even though sugar is added to it. We are going to break down nutritional values of 1 tablespoon (16g)peanut butter provided by the U.S department of Agriculture’s data.
Here is all the nutritional values of peanut butter:
| Nutrients | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 95.5 kcal |
| Total Fat | 8.18 g |
| Saturated Fat | 1.62 g |
| Mono Saturated Fat | 4.06 g |
| Poly Saturated Fat | 1.97 g |
| Carbohydrates | 3.57 g |
| Dietary Fibers | 0.768 g |
| Total Sugar | 1.68 h |
| Protein | 3.6 g |
| Sodium | 68.6 mg |
| Potassium | 90.2 mg |
| Iron | 0.277 mg |
| Calcium | 7.84 mg |
| Magnesium | 27 mg |
| Vitamin E | 1.46 mg |
| Niacin | 2.13 mg |
| Folate | 13.8 µg |
Is Peanut Butter Gluten Free?
Yes, Peanut butter is Gluten-free if it is raw and unflavored. Natural peanut butter which has only basic ingredients like peanuts, salt, oil, and sweetener is gluten free. Because all these ingredients are gluten-free. In both forms, nuts and nut butter, it is gluten free.
But the problem starts when makers add some specific kind of preservatives and additives to peanut butter while making it.
Flavored peanut butter may also contain gluten content in them. It is okay to consume natural and unsalted peanut butter.
But if you are eating flavored ones like honey mustard glazed peanut butter flavor then it can become a problem for gluten intolerant patients.
Gluten in Peanut Butter: What to Watch Out For?
Some additional ingredients that are added to the peanut butter like wasabi might contain gluten in them. So always check labels before buying peanut butter from stores.
Watch out for any gluten content in the ingredients even if it says” gluten-free” on the label. If there is a written “May contain wheat or gluten” then avoid using it.
Here are some additives to watch out for so that you can avoid this peanut butter product:
| Texture Additives | Flavor Enhances | Protein Additives |
|---|---|---|
| Flour Vegetable gum Dextrin and maltodextrin Food starch or modified food starch Emulsifier | Miso Vegetable broth Artificial flavor or flavoring Spices and seasonings Natural and smoke flavor | Wheat protein Seitan Textured vegetable protein Hydrolyzed wheat protein, plant protein, and vegetable protein |
The Risk of Cross-Contamination in Peanut Butter
Cross contamination is another big factor that causes gluten in Peanut butter after additives and flavors. In factories, the same equipment that is used to process wheat might be used when peanut butter is manufactured.
These equipment may contain gluten content and not be cleaned when they switch to making peanut butter, so the risk of cross-contamination occurs.
It requires strict rules and submitting products to regular testing when manufacturers make gluten-free certified foods that process gluten foods. So because it costs extra money, some brands do not do it.
So if you are very sensitive to gluten sensitivity or celiac patients you should pick a brand that is labeled as gluten free or even certified gluten free.
The products are certified gluten-free when they contain less than 10 ppm of gluten. But if your gluten sensitivity is high, you should look for labeled gluten-free peanut butter.
In the United States, when a product meets the requirements of the FDA which is less than 20 ppm gluten then it is legally labeled a gluten-free product.
Can Vegans Enjoy Peanut Butter?
If you are on a vegan gluten free diet, you may be wondering: Is peanut butter vegan? Here is the answer to your question.
Peanut butter is completely animal-free most of the time. It is a great addition to any vegan or vegetarian gluten-free diet because of its nutritional value and benefits.
But for confirmation, always watch out on the label and check the ingredients of peanut butter if animal-derived products are added or not. These ingredients include cane sugar, honey, omega-3 oils from fish, etc.
If you are not satisfied yet, then you can check brands with a vegan certification.
Which Brands Offer Gluten-Free Peanut Butter?
Now let’s find out what are the best gluten-free brands we have on our list. These options are easy to find and safe products.
They are mentioned as “gluten-free” in their products. You just have to look out for these words. Here is the list of gluten-free peanut butter brands:
Note: These all brands have gluten-free peanut butter options for you. But keep in mind that processes and recipes can be changed over time. Companies can use gluten ingredients if the required ingredient is not available. So always check each ingredient every time you buy peanut butter.
What Peanut Butter Brands are Not Guaranteed Gluten-Free?
You should avoid using these peanut butter brands if you are a celiac patient or have gluten sensitivity. Because they are not verified as a gluten-free brand. We are listing some of the brands below:
Safest Gluten-Free Ways to Use Peanut Butter
Now let’s reveal how you can safely consume peanut butter. Here are some of the best ways you can use to add healthy fats and protein to your gluten-free diet with peanut butter:
Enjoy Peanut Butter Safely on a Gluten Free Diet
So you got the answer to your query” Is Peanut Butter Gluten-Free?”. Now it is time to add peanut butter to your gluten-free diet.
If you don’t have a peanut allergy, then there is no reason you should not include peanut butter in your diet. Because it has many nutritional benefits you don’t want to miss. It is a budget-friendly source of healthy fats and protein.
Just do your work, Check the label for gluten-free content and cross-contamination risks. It is better if you choose to have a plain natural peanut butter processed brand. Choose healthy options and enjoy gluten-free peanut butter.
Also Read: Is Ketchup Gluten Free?
