A gluten-free diet is of great importance for people who need to follow a gluten-free diet. In this case, it is necessary to be very careful when choosing foods that can be included in daily meals. As a matter of fact, some foods, especially when processed, can turn into gluten-containing products, unlike their natural state. Yes, one of them is potatoes!
Even if you know that the raw material of a product you consume is gluten-free, you should not always be fooled by pre-packaged products. Because even a food that is naturally gluten-free can surprisingly contain gluten. But the question that needs to be asked at this point is what is the limit amount for a food to be called “gluten-free”.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), in order to say that a food is gluten-free, it must contain less than 20 milligrams of gluten per kilogram.
To find out whether labeled products contain gluten, it is usually enough to examine their packaging a little more carefully. You can rest easy about this, because it is a legal obligation to provide all content information on the packaging of ready-to-use consumer products. So, what should you do when consuming unpackaged products that do not contain any information about their contents? You can find the answer to this question for potatoes in the rest of our article.
Is There Gluten in Potatoes?
Potato is a type of starchy plant. Gluten is found in some grains such as barley, wheat and rye. So we answer your question: No! Potatoes do not contain gluten. If you need to follow a gluten-free diet, we know that this is the answer you are looking for. Here, of course, we are talking about the potato that has come out of the ground and has not been subjected to any processing.
Potato is an ideal food source for celiac patients and people with gluten intolerance, as it is a vegetable that can be included in a gluten-free diet in various ways! Especially boiled potatoes can be very satisfying for those who cannot consume bread.
When using potatoes, which can be boiled and fried, and added to salads and meals as desired, in meals, it is necessary to pay attention to whether the other foods it will interact with contain gluten.
Is There Gluten in Sweet Potatoes?
Even though when we say sweet potato, the first thing that comes to our mind is the image of an orange potato under a copper skin; Sweet potato varieties in many colors are grown around the world. Purple, yellow, white and reddish sweet potatoes adorn the supermarket shelves. So, do you think sweet potatoes contain gluten?
Good news! Since they are not grain foods, sweet potatoes are naturally gluten-free. You can consume them in any way you wish, by cooking, boiling, pureeing or baking them. As long as they are not mixed with another food that contains gluten, you can enjoy sweet potatoes by adding them to your gluten-free diet!
Is There Gluten in Potato Flour?
Potato flour is obtained from potatoes that have been boiled, dried, dehydrated, and ground and thinned. Therefore, this product is a type of flour that you can safely use in your gluten-free diet. However, wheat flour etc. is used in production facilities. As long as it is not exposed to cross contamination with gluten products… To be sure of this, you can choose certified products with the phrase “gluten-free” on them.
It is known that cream-coloured potato flour was used in bread making by adding it to wheat flour during the famine years of the world wars. At the same time, this flour is preferred for its thickening properties in making stews such as soups and various sauces. You can use gluten-free potato flour as an alternative to flours such as wheat and barley flour and enjoy the delicious cakes and cookies you make with this flour.
Are Potato Flour and Potato Starch the Same Thing?
Potato starch is a white and tasteless fine powder obtained from the starch found in potatoes. Since it does not contain wheat or gluten, it can be used with peace of mind in sauces and dishes. So, you may be asking, how is potato starch different from potato flour? Let’s see together!
- While flour is obtained from potatoes, the potatoes are cooked and dried to remove their water. However, potato starch is produced by peeling and crushing uncooked potatoes.
- Potato flour contains higher protein and fiber than potato starch.
- Potato starch is dried and turned into a white powder that is lighter in density than potato flour.
- While potato flour absorbs a lot of water, potato starch does not.
- Potato flour has a more intense flavor than potato starch, which can be almost tasteless.
- Potato flour offers a more suitable alternative than potato starch for making dough.
- Potato starch becomes clear after heating and can be preferred when making transparent or white sauces.
Can People with Gluten Sensitivity Eat Potatoes?
There is no limit to what can be done with potatoes! Potatoes are truly a versatile vegetable as they can be used by everyone. Since it is naturally gluten-free, it can be easily consumed by celiac patients and people with gluten allergies. But there are a few points that need to be emphasized here.
You should not forget that the potato dish served to you during a pleasant dinner outside or the packaged foods you buy from the market may contain gluten. Because purchased potato-containing products or ordered potato dishes may contain gluten-containing flours, etc. Other food items may be available.
*The explanations on this page do not constitute health advice or warning and are for informational purposes only.
MD, Prof. Sea South Duman Approved by
Resources:
“What is the treatment for celiac disease?”. Turkish Ministry of Health. (online).
”Are Potatoes Gluten-Free?”. Verywellhealth. (online).
”Are Potatoes Gluten-Free?”. Beyond Celiac. (online).
R. Seçkin, “Adding Potato Flour to Bread Flour”, Gıda, vol. 4, number. 2, Apr. 1979
”Difference Between Potato Flour and Potato Starch”. Lafayettefirefighters. 2013. (online).
“Sweet Potatoes”. Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, (online).
”Are Sweet Potatoes Gluten-free?”. Rachael Roehmholdt. (online).
”Are potato starch and potato flour the same?”. Wheat-Free. 2014. (online).
