Gluten Free Matters | Gluten Free Cereal | Cheerios (2024)

FAQs

Are Cheerios actually gluten-free? ›

Cheerios have always been made of oats, which are naturally gluten free.

The CCA is receptive to evaluating any additional information that General Mills is willing to disclose. Until then, the CCA stands by its advice that people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity should not consume Cheerios products in spite of the gluten-free claim.

If you cut all gluten out of your diet, there's a risk that you could miss out on nutritious whole grains, fiber and micronutrients. Getting enough whole grains in your diet is especially important if you're at risk for heart disease or diabetes.

You may think that classic Kellogg's Brand Rice Krispies are gluten-free because rice is a naturally gluten-free grain, but they are made with malt flavoring. The malt is derived from barley which is a gluten-containing grain. Therefore, they are definitely NOT gluten-free!

A gluten-free diet generally means not eating most grains, pasta, cereals, and processed foods. The reason is that they usually contain wheat, rye, and barley.

Popcorn is naturally gluten-free and suitable for most people with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease. Still, some individuals who react to gluten may also be sensitive to certain proteins in corn. What's more, some commercial products may be cross-contaminated with gluten or include glutenous ingredients.

In its natural form, both peanuts and peanut butter are gluten-free. Many store-bought brands of peanut butter are also gluten-free, with gluten-containing peanut butter tending to be the exception rather than the rule.

Numerous studies have shown that diets that are gluten free tend to be deficient in protein, folate, iron, niacin, riboflavin, thiamin, B12, zinc, selenium, and fiber. In addition, they are more apt to have higher levels of nickel, which is highly allergenic to some patients.

What happens when you stop eating gluten? ›

It's common to feel constantly hungry during your first several weeks without gluten. You may want to eat all the time. Your body hasn't been able to absorb food properly for a while. So once it can, it'll try to make up for the deficit.

People with celiac disease may experience weight gain after starting a gluten-free diet; this initial weight gain indicates that their intestinal health is improving and they are more effectively absorbing nutrients. However, gaining too much weight can lead to multiple health problems.

To make Cheerios™ gluten free, we separate them from the oats. All the oats are sifted.

Cheerios are primarily made from whole grain oats. Whole grains contain all parts of the grain, so they tend to provide more nutrients than refined grains. What's more, eating fiber-rich whole grains may help lower cholesterol and reduce your risk of heart disease ( 1 ).

Main Components of the Cereal

Oats are a naturally gluten-free grain and serve as the base for Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheerios. While oats themselves do not contain gluten, cross-contamination can occur during processing.

These on-the-go snacks from General Mills are not gluten free. The bars come in two varieties: Honey Nut Cheerios and Cinnamon Toast Crunch, both of which are not gluten free cereals.