Sure, honey is of course gluten free. And, theoretically, it is fit for human consumption on a gluten free weight loss plan. However there’s extra to it than merely grabbing some honey off the shelf.
Discover when honey is gluten free and when there is a threat of gluten cross contamination. Get the lowdown on which manufacturers of honey are gluten free, gluten free honey recipes, and extra.
In a nutshell: Is honey gluten free?
As talked about above, in principle, sure, honey is gluten free. But it surely relies upon closely on the place the honey comes from, what it has been blended with, and the way and the place it has been processed as soon as harvested from the hive.
Usually, uncooked honey isn’t contaminated with gluten, so it is protected for these with gluten intolerance. Nonetheless, some manufacturers of honey might include added substances similar to barley malt extract or wheat syrup that include gluten and render it unsafe should you’re on a gluten free weight loss plan.
It’s important you learn ingredient labels rigorously when looking for meals merchandise, even one thing as seemingly innocuous as honey. In addition to deliberately added substances, honey can have some hidden or unintentional gluten contamination from the processing facility, except it is a devoted gluten free web site.
You probably have celiac illness or are extraordinarily delicate to cross-contamination with gluten, it is most secure to purchase solely honey licensed gluten free.
What’s honey?
Honey is constructed from the nectar of flowers. Honey bees (particularly the forager bees) accumulate the nectar from flowers of their honey stomachs, the place the enzymes within the honey abdomen begin to convert the advanced sugars into easy ones, and retailer it of their honeycombs.
As soon as the abdomen is full, the forager bee returns to the hive and regurgitates the honey the place home bees take over, persevering with the conversion and eradicating as a lot moisture as attainable. At this level, they deposit the processed honey right into a honeycomb cell.
Then the bees beat their wings, fanning the honey to extract any remaining moisture. Because the water evaporates, the nectar turns into extra concentrated and finally turns into honey. Then, the honeycomb cell is sealed with wax.
Is honey good for you?
Sure, sparsely, honey is sweet for you. Or, you probably have a gluten sensitivity, gluten free honey is sweet for you. Simply keep in mind that it incorporates a number of energy – round 64 energy in each tablespoon.
However sure, this pure sweetener has quite a few well being advantages. It has been utilized in wound care, wound therapeutic, and burn therapeutic. And quite a few research present it has antidepressant and anticonvulsant properties.
Since honey is filled with polyphenols and antioxidants, it will possibly assist scale back your threat of sort 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and coronary heart illness. You possibly can even put honey on a blemish to benefit from its antimicrobial properties!
Is flavored honey protected on a gluten free weight loss plan?
Flavored honey might be problematic on a gluten free weight loss plan. Verify the label for gluten-containing grains. Except it is completely important, you are seemingly higher off flavoring your honey your self as and when it’s essential to.
Other than flavored honey, honey-based and honey flavored merchandise typically embody gluten containing meals. These might be salad dressings, honey mustard, or honey-flavored breakfast cereals.
At all times test the label for gluten-containing substances. And solely purchase merchandise labeled gluten free if you wish to make sure of your security.
The chance of honey cross contamination
Cross contamination with gluten is a serious concern you probably have gluten intolerance. Select merchandise which are licensed gluten-free to ensure that the honey is free from cross contamination.
Take the identical precautions when dealing with and making ready the honey dish as you’d with every other gluten-free meals: this implies utilizing clear utensils and containers that haven’t been beforehand used with gluten containing meals.
By taking these additional steps, you’ll be able to get pleasure from your favourite honey merchandise with out having to fret about any potential cross contamination.
Honey and honey merchandise are in danger from cross contact largely throughout manufacturing and manufacturing. If they are not produced in a devoted gluten free facility or at the very least on a gluten free manufacturing line, there’s an opportunity gluten particles might be current, so the top product might include gluten.
If it’s essential to keep away from gluten, it is necessary to notice that, whereas native, unfiltered honey is of course gluten free, native beekeepers might be processing their honey of their house, the place they could additionally use merchandise that include gluten, which may result in gluten particles of their honey.
Manufacturers of honey which are gluten free
For those who’re on a gluten free weight loss plan and wish to get pleasure from honey safely, all the time test the label for gluten free certification.
On the time of writing, the next manufacturers provide gluten free honey. However this might change at any time, so all the time test earlier than you buy.
- Nature’s Nate (licensed gluten free)
- Comvita (licensed gluten free)
- Greenbow Natural Honey (labeled gluten free)
- Beekeeper’s Naturals (said gluten free on web site)
- Sioux Honey (said gluten free on web site)
- Bee Concord (said on web site that there aren’t any gluten substances and no gluten processed or saved in facility)
Honey Recipes
As a result of pure honey is gluten free, it is a fantastic substitute for processed sugar in gluten free recipes. And it is a tremendous taste when it is the star of the present, too.
Whether or not you like uncooked honey drizzled in your favourite bread or over fruit and yogurt, otherwise you wish to benefit from the deep, wealthy honey taste in your baked items, go for it! Select from one of many gluten free manufacturers of honey and revel in.
And I’ve included a couple of of my favourite honey recipes right here that can assist you in your honey journey:
Grandma’s gluten free honey muffins
Grandma’s gluten free honey muffins are a scrumptious and simple option to get pleasure from a gluten-free deal with. The honey provides a singular sweetness that enhances the flavour of the muffins.
They’re mild and fluffy, and also you solely want one bowl to make them. Take pleasure in candy honey muffins for breakfast or as an anytime snack.
Gluten free honey bread
Honey bread is the proper option to convey the scrumptious taste of honey into your gluten free weight loss plan. It is a mild and fluffy quickbread that is filled with loads of your favourite sort of honey.
Use a light-weight honey or get a richer hit with a darker honey. Serve it with a pat of butter, additional honey, or simply heat by itself.
FAQs
Does Manuka honey have gluten in it?
No. Manuka honey is gluten-free. Since it’s constructed from nectar collected from the Manuka tree’s flowers, it doesn’t include wheat, barley or every other supply of gluten in its pure type. Nonetheless, it might be contaminated throughout processing, so test the label for gluten free certification.
Is clover honey gluten free?
Sure, clover honey is mostly thought-about gluten-free. Since it’s free from any flour or grains, it needs to be protected for individuals following a gluten-free weight loss plan. However, as all the time, solely select a honey that is labeled gluten free.
Are Honey Nut Cheerios gluten free?
No, Honey Nut Cheerios should not gluten-free. The product incorporates wheat and barley, that are each gluten containing substances. Subsequently, individuals following a gluten-free weight loss plan ought to keep away from consuming Honey Nut Cheerios.
