With celiac disease and gluten intolerance steadily on the rise in recent years, many people are starting to learn what gluten is, which foods contain it, and how it affects health. In fact, we wrote an entire article on how gluten impacts the gut. Read it here!

In case you don’t know, gluten is a protein that is commonly found in wheat, rye, and barley. It is in almost any baked good and gives bread its airy, fluffy, and starchy texture. If you think a slice of bread or fluffy muffin is the only place you’ll find gluten, though, think again! Another place it is commonly found is in pre-packaged foods. It’s used as an additive to give flavor, as well as a thickener. Here is a list of 19 unexpected foods that contain the sticky protein you should watch out for.

1. Condiments like ketchup and mayonnaise
2. Many salad dressings
3. Soy sauce
4. Gravies
5. Some soups
6. Hot dogs
7. Imitation seafood
8. Imitation bacon
9. Some vegetarian burgers
10. Cold cuts
11. Bouillon cubes
12. Chewing gum
13. Candy
14. Many chips
15. Artificial coffee creamer
16. Prepackaged hot chocolate
17. Rice mixes
18. Beer
19. Anything malt

Don’t See Gluten On The Ingredient Label?

Just because “gluten” isn’t written on the ingredient label, doesn’t mean it hasn’t been added to your food. In the United States, manufacturers don’t have to let customers know when a food contains gluten. They can, however, voluntarily use a “gluten-free” label on their package. According to the FDA:

“FDA established, among other criteria, a gluten limit of less than 20 parts per million (ppm) for foods that carry the label “gluten-free,” “no gluten,” “free of gluten,” or “without gluten.” This level is the lowest that can be reliably detected in foods using scientifically validated analytical methods.”

If you have a problem digesting gluten and you’re not sure if a particular food contains it, always remember: When it doubt, go without!

Naturally Gluten-Free Food Groups

If you have celiac disease or gluten intolerance, it’s safe to eat the following foods:

• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Meat and poultry
• Fish and seafood
• Dairy
• Beans, legumes, and nuts

What you do every morning sets the tone for the rest of your day and entire life. Have you ever noticed that on mornings you don’t repeatedly hit the alarm clock that you get more things done? Mix that productivity with a little positivity and you have the perfect recipe for a good day. We’ve compiled a list of eight healthy morning rituals to help improve your day (and life).

1) Wake Up Early

You know what they say … the early bird catches the worm! In order to fit this amazing morning ritual into your a.m., you’ll have to give yourself enough time to do it.  If you’re a night owl then jumping out of bed the first time your alarm clock goes off can be difficult. Over time, though, your body will get used to your new schedule. Trust me!

2) Oil Pull

Before you eat or drink anything, take some time to oil pull. Chances are you’ve heard about oil pulling — the act that involves putting a spoonful of oil into your mouth, swishing it around for upwards of 20 minutes, and then spitting it out into a trash bag. Today, scientists recognize the many health benefits of oil pulling. Topping the list of benefits is oral health. Oil pulling is one of the best ways to remove bad bacteria and plaque in the mouth, promoting healthy teeth and gums. Find out more about oil pulling here.

3) Drink Lemon Water

Hydration is key for overall health and adding some lemon slices to your H2O bumps up the health factor! Drinking lemon water in the morning has been linked to improved digestive health, strengthened immunity, weight loss, improved mood, rejuvenated skin, and balanced pH levels. Additionally, lemon water acts as a diuretic, meaning it can help the body rid itself of excess fluid retention and toxins. 

Click here to see other infused water recipes!

4) Do Some Light Stretches

Taking some time to stretch your whole body helps to wake up your muscles, giving you the energy you need to take on the upcoming day. It doesn’t matter how long your stretching routine lasts as long as you get it done! 

5) Meditate

One small positive thought can change the outcome of your entire day and nothing breathes positivity like a short meditation session. If you’ve never meditated before, check out our mini meditation guide for beginners:  

6) Write Down Your Day’s Top 3 Goals

How often do you wake up with a mental to-do list and by the end of the day you haven’t finished any of those tasks? Maybe you forgot about them or didn’t prioritize them. If this sounds like you, then it’s time to grab a pen and paper and write down your daily goals. Writing things down creates a sense of accountability, meaning you’re more likely to remember what you want to get done and then actually do it! 

7) Eat a Healthy Breakfast  

Eating a healthy breakfast helps to kickstart your metabolism, provides your body with energy, and helps boost brain power.

What you eat for breakfast can set the tone of your entire day. Answer this: Have you ever felt sluggish after eating greasy hash browns and bacon? What about a sugar crash after eating ooey-gooey pancakes? You shouldn’t feel the need to crawl into bed and take a nap shortly after eating your first meal of the day. Instead, breakfast should give you lots of energy! It should be filled with protein, healthy fats, vitamins and minerals that nourish your body. Click here to see 12 nourishing breakfast ideas (and recipes). 

8) Take a High-Quality Probiotic Supplement

In recent months, probiotics have gained HUGE popularity and for good reason! Countless scientific studies show there are beneficial effects of taking probiotics. They link probiotic supplements to:

• Improved digestion 
• Weight management
• Increased energy 
• Mental clarity 
• Healthier skin
• Stronger immunity.

And it gets even better! With just one daily dose of the RIGHT probiotic you can:

• Put an end to embarrassing and equally painful indigestion, i.e. bloating, gas, acid reflux, etc.
• Promote around the clock regularity, relieving yourself of constant constipation and/or diarrhea
• Supercharge your immune system (Remember, 70-80% of the immune system is found in the gut!)
• For women, rid yourself of yeast infections or other vaginal health issues that are brought on by the overproduction of bad bacteria.
• Revitalize your energy, feel refreshed, and recharged. No more 3 o’clock feeling!
• Establish mental clarity by ridding yourself of anxiety, depression, and aggressive thoughts that plague your mind.
• Control your weight! Drop those stubborn pounds you’ve been trying to lose for years!
• End joint pain. No more hurting all over from inflammation throughout the body
• Fix your skin. Eczema, acne, and other unwanted skin conditions are all telltale signs of an unhealthy gut.