Oatmeal (and the oats it's made from ) represent one of the most confusing aspects of the gluten-free diet.
Even though most experts in celiac disease have concluded that celiacs -- well, most celiacs -- won't react to the oat protein avenin the same way they react to gluten, there's still research ongoing on oatmeal and its potential role in the gluten-free diet. In addition, most oatmeal on store shelves is not gluten-free, due to gluten cross-contamination at the farm and in production facilities.
That makes the answer to the question "Is oatmeal gluten-free?" a staunch and confident "Er, it depends." I explain more in my article Is Oatmeal Gluten-Free? Or Does It Contain Gluten? If you're someone who can eat oats, the article also lists potential sources for certified gluten-free oats, and explains the parts per million levels to which the various companies test.
Don't forget to nominate your favorite gluten-free bread, pasta, cookies, restaurants and more in the 2012 About.com Gluten-Free Readers Choice Awards!
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