---
title: Gluten-Free: Here's What You're Getting Wrong About Gluten
description: What exactly is gluten? Most Americans can't give a satisfactory answer, a survey published Tuesday found.
canonical: https://time.com/3966978/gluten-free-diet/
author: Jack Linshi
article:opinion: false
article:content_tier: free
article:published_time: 2015-07-22T00:26:47.000Z
article:modified_time: 2026-08-04T07:41:24.521Z
article:section: Health
og:title: 5 Facts About Gluten That You're Probably Getting Wrong
og:description: What is gluten? Most Americans have no idea, survey finds.
og:url: https://time.com/3966978/gluten-free-diet/
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twitter:title: 5 Facts About Gluten That You're Probably Getting Wrong
twitter:description: What is gluten? Most Americans have no idea, survey finds.
twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltde093bcdab65f2d0/6988d9b9bc6cfc69913e2a3c/time-logo.jpg?branch=production
---
# 6 Facts About Gluten That You're Probably Getting Wrong
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> Last updated: September 2026.
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## Video: Should I Eat Hot Dogs?
[Watch (HLS stream): Should I Eat Hot Dogs?](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/uOVusUZu.m3u8) (2:06)
_Published 2015-08-05. Should I Eat Hot Dogs?_
by
[Jack Linshi](https://time.com/author/jack-linshi/)
## Jack Linshi
Jul 22, 2015 12:26 AM UTC
by
[Jack Linshi](https://time.com/author/jack-linshi/)
## Jack Linshi
Jul 22, 2015 12:26 AM UTC
What exactly is gluten? Most Americans can’t give a satisfactory answer, a survey published Tuesday found.
Though 9 in 10 Americans have heard of the protein — “gluten-free diet,” “gluten sensitivity” — 54% of survey respondents couldn’t define it correctly, according to NSF International, an independent public health inspection organization.
Here are the common gluten misunderstandings, according to the survey:
**1\.** A quick Gluten 101\. Gluten is a protein found in the “Big Three” grains (wheat, barely and rye) and their many derivatives, and also less common grains like triticale and malt. There are a variety of reasons why people aim for a gluten-free diet, including [celiac disease](http://celiac.org/live-gluten-free/glutenfreediet/what-is-gluten/), wheat allergy or other sensitivities to gluten. Whether a gluten-free diet is generally healthier is still being [debated](http://www.health.harvard.edu/press%5Freleases/potential-benefits-of-a-gluten-free-diet).
**2\.** Wheat-free doesn’t mean gluten free. Remember: wheat is just one of several grains that contain gluten.
**3\.** Rice is gluten-free, in most cases. Rice is a grain—but not all grains contain gluten.
**4\.** Spices and flavoring can contain gluten, though not usually. In some cases, spices are [adulterated](http://www.celiaccentral.org/celiac-disease-in-the-news/are-spices-safe-celiac-disease-10269/) with wheat flour or wheat starch to cut costs, which can lead to cross-contamination.
**5.** Same goes for dietary supplements.
**6\.** A “gluten-free” label doesn’t always mean the food has been verified to be truly gluten-free. Though the FDA [regulates](http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/GuidanceDocumentsRegulatoryInformation/Allergens/ucm362880.htm) “gluten-free” labeling on processed food, it doesn’t regulate claims made on restaurant and bakery menus, the survey warns.
### QUIZ: Should You Eat This or That?
Which is better for you: Half cup of ice cream or 3 scoops of sorbet? Getty Images (4)
Answer: A half cup of ice cream If you eat what you’re craving, you’re more likely to feel satisfied and eat less. And scoop for scoop sorbet contains twice the sugar with none of the filling dairy protein and fat. Getty Images (5); Gif by Mia Tramz for TIME
Which is better for you: Real butter or spray on fake butter? Getty Images; Tara Johnson for TIME
Answer: Butter Serving size for spray butters (even low-calorie ones) are around a 1/3 second spray. What on earth does that mean? You're better off using a small amount of real butter as opposed to guessing how much you're using of the mystery melange of up to 20 ingredients. Getty Images (1); Gif by Mia Tramz for TIME
Which is better for you: A turkey burger or a sirloin burger? Getty Images (2)
Answer: Sirloin burger Restaurant turkey burgers are often made with dark meat and the skin, so they’re not necessarily better for you (and for the record, they aren't low-fat). You can get a sirloin burger that’s 95% lean meat and gives you 20 g of protein. Just be careful with the toppings. Getty Images (1); Gif by Mia Tramz for TIME
Which is better for you: Almonds or pretzels? Getty Images (2)
Answer: Almonds Almonds are high in protein, fiber and fat and will keep you feeling fuller longer. Give high-sodium pretzels about an hour and you'll feel hungry again thanks to the high-carb no-fat or protein content. Getty Images (1); Gif by Mia Tramz for TIME
Which is better for you: Special K or eggs? AP; Getty Images
Answer: Eggs In the morning, you want a meal that will fill you up. Eggs offer protein and fat for satiety, but Special K cereal really only offers carbs and, well, air. If you want carbs to kick off the day, you're better off pairing eggs with a slice of 100% whole grain toast. Getty Images (1); Gif by Mia Tramz for TIME
Which is better for you: Fat free salad dressing or regular salad dressing? Tara Johnson for TIME
Answer: Regular salad dressingTo absorb fat soluble vitamins like Vitamins E and K in vegetables you need to consume them with a fat to aid nutrient absorption. Fat-free dressing, meanwhile, is low-calorie but gets its flavor from added sugar and salt. Tara Johnson for TIME (5); Gif by Mia Tramz for TIME
Which is better for you: A low fat cookie or dark chocolate? Getty Images (2)
Answer: Dark chocolate “People believe fat free is calorie free,” says Keri Gans, a registered dietitian in New York City. “Go for the real thing.” Fat free cookies tend to be high in carbs, sugar and fake sugar. Try a nice piece of antioxidant-rich dark chocolate instead. Getty Images (2); Gif by Mia Tramz for TIME
Which is better for you: Low fat Greek yogurt or 100 calorie Yoplait yogurt? Tara Johnson for TIME
Answer: 2% Greek YogurtA little fat is good in the morning to keep you full—plus it has upwards of 17g of protein per container. Fat-free "fruit" yogurt is high in sugar—7 to 10 g per serving—and lower in protein. Tara Johnson for TIME (2); Gif by Mia Tramz for TIME
## Transcript
Ballgame or no ballgame, hotdogs aren't hot in the health world. According to 4 of our 5 experts. Hotdogs deliver a nutritional assault in so many ways One typical fast food dog with ketchup and mustard, contains 290 calories, and 910 mg of sodium. The problem with hot dogs, is how much they're processed. Hot dogs fall into a category of process meats that have been consistently associated with adverse health effects, according to Dr. David Katz. Diet Heinz process meats have been linked with cancer. Especially colorectal cancer. Peter Clifton says that processed meats can also lead to diabetes, higher mortality, and more cardiovascular disease.
The saturated fats, salt, and nitrates in processed meats are likely culprits. Nitrates are the main concern with cured meats like hotdogs, says Mariana Stern. Nitrates are salts added from synthetic chemicals or natural sources, such as celery juice, which you may find on the labels of so called uncured or nitrate free hot dogs. Regardless of where the nitrates come from, they can be converted by oral bacteria into cancer causing agents, she says. But Marianne Sodring notes that more research on this topic is needed. As other factors might have to be present for nitrate- processed meat to have a cancer- causing effect.
There might be an easier way to lower the risks associated with hot dogs, according to Denis Corpet. His study on rats showed that adding calcium to diets high in hot dogs lowered the potential risk for cancer. If you want to indulge in the occasional dog, Sodring, the lone hot dog defender, has some parting words of encouragement. As a bonus, from an environmental standpoint, one might say that hot dogs contribute. To sustainable food production because a much larger part of the animal, not just the prime cuts, is utilized. [ MUSIC ]
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