Did you know that many sausages, salamis, hot dogs, and deli meats contain gluten?
Incidentally, some also contain milk products. For example, recently I purchased Columbus' Italian Dry Salami, because it looked authentic and the front label read "No Gluten, No MSG, No Trans Fat." The possibility of salami containing cow's milk didn't even occur to me. Then, as I got ready to enjoy a slice, I had the belated good sense to read the ingredients list. Guess what the second ingredient is, right after pork? "Nonfat dry milk." What? So there you go. Not to mention nitrites and nitrates. A reminder to ALWAYS read labels.
Although Columbus' Salami IS gluten-free, many sausages, salamis, and related products found in supermarkets and served at restaurants are not. Always ask about ingredients, especially for meats from the fresh counter. Do you really know what is in the Italian sausage? Many contain breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese.
When choosing a deli meat from the fresh counter, it's important to:
- Ask to read the ingredients of the cold cuts you're ordering.
- Ask the deli person to thoroughly clean and wipe down the meat slicer in front of you before use. Or, even better, buy your own meat slicer.
- Head to the store early when it's quiet and you can take your time.
Luckily, there are some excellent prepackaged meats and cold cuts available. In her fabulous book, The G-Free Diet, Elisabeth Hasselbeck suggests these:
Gluten-Free Prepackaged Meats and Cold Cuts
- Jones Dairy Farm frozen sausage
- Applegate Farms coldcuts and hot dogs
- Hormel 'Natural Choice' Cold Cuts
- Most Boar's Head Cold Cuts
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