How Gluten-free Are Nuts?

[SColor]

I was diagnosed with Celiac approx. 6 weeks ago and have been working my way through the diet. At this point, I think I have eliminated every possible gluten offender, but I wonder about nuts and dried fruits. The packaging on some nuts/dried fruits say the they were processed in a facility that also packages wheat, so that doesn't seem gluten-free to me. How can I go about getting nuts that I can be sure are gluten-free -- or can I? I am assuming I need to either give up pre-packaged dried fruit, or make my own.

[tiredofdoctors]

My knowledge about this is kind of limited, so I would wait for some others to chime in here before going out and buying stuff! From what I know, peanuts (the regular kind) are O.K., but dry-roasted are iffy. Smoked nuts (like smoked almonds) -- a definite "no". Cashews are O.K. -- I don't even think they have dry-roasted cashews. I guess it boils down to -- simple is best!

[tiffjake]

How can I go about getting nuts that I can be sure are gluten-free -- or can I? I am assuming I need to either give up pre-packaged dried fruit, or make my own.

Maybe get the nuts in the shell, then you can take them out of the shell and any gluten would be on the shell?? I eat the "tube" of nuts, planters I think, and I checked the label and it didn't say anything about being manyfactured in a facility that deals with wheat.

****Ok, I just went and got one of the packages from the kitchen. It is Planters (with the cartoon peanut with the tophat and cane) and it is a Kraft company. The allergy information says "ALLERGY INFORMATION: MANUFACTURED ON EQUIPMENT THAT ALSO PROCESSES PEANUTS AND OTHER TREE NUTS. MAY CONTAIN PEANUTS AND OTHER TREE NUTS"

That is on a cashew tube. And the ingredients say "INGREDIENTS: CASHEWS, PEANUT AND/OR COTTONSEED OIL, SALT"

I also check the Salted Peanuts tube that I have. There is no allergy information on that one (guess they know that you know that you are getting peanuts and you better not be allergic?) and the ingredients are the same except that it says Peanuts instead of Cashews.

I have also had their Honey Roasted Peanuts. I didn't get sick. And it does say Corn Starch on that label. I hope that helps!!!!

Oh, also, their (kraft/planters) phone number is on the tube. It is 1-877-677-3268 and their website is planters dot com

[NicoleAJ]

Yes, Planter's are fine (unless you get into the fancy schmanzy ones as tiredofdoctors and tiffjake mentioned)--I've been eating them since my diagnosis. In fact, I make my own trail mix with Planter's heart healthy mix, unsalted cashews, craisins (also gluten free), raisins, and dried apricots (right now I can't remember the brand I use, but you do have to read carefully and call). I'll try to check on my brand and get back to you. The only thing that you really have to watch out for is never to buy trail mix out of those bins at the grocery store--huge possibility for cross contamination, especially if there are limited scoops. In fact, a lot of standard trailmixes will say that they are processed in the same facility as wheat since some of their varieties include weird things like cheese balls or little cracker-type sticks. Actually, making your own trailmix works better because you can choose what you want, and you may need to spend $15 on it all initially, but you'll have a healthy and energy-boosting snack everyday for almost a month.

[jenvan]

I eat planters salted... Make sure you ck on other types of nuts, ie. roasted--they have a fairly long list of ingredients and added flavors...

[tarnalberry]

I've never had a problem with nuts, but always do check ingredients. Of course, I prefer raw almonds. :-)

[PreOptMegs]

I think one needs to watch for the dry roasted because I have seen wheat starch as an added ingredient.

[Felidae]

Costco has some raw nuts and the allergen statement is safe. You just have to read the allergen statements because some brands are safe and some are not.