Gluten-free diets have become increasingly popular in recent years, with more and more people adopting them for medical reasons or simply as a lifestyle choice. For those following a gluten-free diet, it’s important to understand which foods and brands contain gluten and which are safe to eat.
One common question is whether Nature’s Path oats are gluten-free. Nature’s Path is a popular brand of organic and non-GMO foods, including a variety of oat products like oatmeal, granola, and cereal. But are these oats actually gluten-free?
What is gluten?
Gluten is a protein found in certain grains like wheat, barley, and rye. For most people, gluten poses no health concerns. However, for those with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, consuming gluten can trigger an autoimmune response and cause damage to the small intestine. This is why following a strict gluten-free diet is medically necessary for these individuals.
Some of the symptoms of celiac disease and gluten sensitivity include:
- Bloating and gas
- Diarrhea, constipation, or other digestive issues
- Abdominal pain and cramping
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Skin rashes
- Joint pain
Eliminating gluten from the diet allows the digestive system to heal and helps manage these symptoms.
Are oats gluten?
Oats themselves do not naturally contain gluten. However, they are often processed in facilities that also process wheat and other gluten grains. This means oats can become cross-contaminated with gluten, making them unsafe for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
For this reason, there are two categories of oats for a gluten-free diet:
Gluten-free oats
These are oats that are grown and processed in a gluten-free facility and tested to have undetectable levels of gluten. They are safe for those on a medically necessary gluten-free diet.
Regular oats
These oats may be contaminated with gluten during growing or processing. They are not considered gluten-free and should be avoided on a gluten-free diet.
Are Nature’s Path oats gluten-free?
Nature’s Path produces both regular and certified gluten-free oats and oat products. Their gluten-free oats include:
- Gluten Free Organic Oats
- Gluten Free Organic Quick Oats
- Gluten Free Organic Old Fashioned Oats
- Gluten Free Organic Oat Bran
These oats are grown and processed in dedicated gluten-free facilities. Nature’s Path tests the oats to ensure they have gluten levels less than 5 ppm (parts per million), the recognized standard for gluten-free certification.
However, other Nature’s Path oat products like regular rolled oats, steel cut oats, and oat flour are likely contaminated with gluten and not considered gluten-free. It’s important to look for the “gluten-free” label when purchasing Nature’s Path oats.
Certified gluten-free labels
When buying oats and other foods for a gluten-free diet, look for trusted gluten-free certifications on the label. These include:
- Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO)
- Celiac Support Association Recognized Gluten-Free
- Gluten-Free Certification Program
- National Celiac Association Certified Gluten-Free
The GFCO certification is one of the most recognized and trusted certifications. Nature’s Path gluten-free oats are GFCO certified. Having one of these logos on the packaging ensures the product has been third-party tested to verify its gluten-free status.
Are Nature’s Path oat products gluten-free?
Along with plain oats, Nature’s Path also produces many different oat-based products like granola, muesli, and cold cereals. Are these gluten-free as well?
Whether or not these foods are gluten-free depends on the specific ingredients used, including the type of oats. Some products may contain regular, gluten-contaminated oats while others are made with certified gluten-free oats.
Some gluten-free Nature’s Path oat products include:
- Gluten Free Mesa Sunrise granola
- Gluten Free Apple Cinnamon Flax Plus Flakes
- Gluten Free Optimum Slim cereal
- Gluten Free Smart Bran cereal
Be sure to check the label carefully and look for a gluten-free certification logo when choosing Nature’s Path oat products. Also check the ingredients to ensure the oats used are gluten-free oats.
Precautions when buying gluten-free oats
When purchasing certified gluten-free oats from Nature’s Path or any brand, keep the following precautions in mind:
- Check labels carefully every time, even if buying the same product. Manufacturing processes can change.
- Look for expiration dates. Purchase oats with the furthest out expiration date.
- Check packaging seals. Don’t buy products with broken or open seals.
- Store oats in airtight containers after opening to prevent cross-contamination.
- Use a dedicated gluten-free toaster if toasting oats or reading packaging.
Following these steps helps reduce the risk of gluten exposure from oats labeled gluten-free.
Nature’s Path company policies
Nature’s Path has strict policies in place to produce safe gluten-free oats:
- They only source gluten-free oats grown in dedicated gluten-free fields.
- The oats are processed on dedicated gluten-free equipment.
- Their facilities follow stringent procedures to avoid cross-contamination.
- Finished products are rigorously batch tested to verify gluten-free status.
- They perform thorough equipment and facility sanitation and have strict quality control protocols.
Nature’s Path also notes all gluten-containing ingredients on their labels to inform consumers.
Should celiacs eat oats?
Whether individuals with celiac disease can safely eat oats remains a bit controversial. Some research indicates that the majority of celiacs can consume pure, uncontaminated oats without harm. However, around 10% of celiacs are thought to be sensitive to oats specifically.
Some considerations regarding oats for celiacs include:
- Introduce oats slowly and watch carefully for symptoms.
- Only eat certified gluten-free oats to ensure purity.
- Consult your healthcare team, as some still advise against oats.
- Kids are more likely to tolerate oats than adults.
- Those with severe celiac disease should be cautious with oats.
In general, certified gluten-free oats are considered safe for most people with celiac disease in moderation. But be sure to discuss with your doctor.
Why Nature’s Path oats are a good gluten-free choice
There are several good reasons why Nature’s Path gluten-free oats are a smart choice for a gluten-free diet:
- High quality standards – Nature’s Path adheres to stringent protocols to avoid gluten cross-contact.
- Third party testing – Every batch of their gluten-free oats is tested to verify gluten-free status.
- Trusted certifications – Their oats carry recognizable gluten-free logos like GFCO.
- Transparent labeling – They clearly label gluten-containing ingredients.
- Organic options – Many of their oats are certified organic and non-GMO.
- Variety – They offer many different oat products to choose from.
You can feel confident that Nature’s Path gluten-free oats are a healthy, safe choice that makes sticking to your gluten-free diet easy and delicious. Just be sure to double check labels to verify gluten-free status.
The bottom line
Nature’s Path produces both gluten-free and regular oats. Their gluten-free oat products are certified gluten-free, meaning they are tested to have undetectable gluten levels of less than 5 ppm. These include all their oats labeled “gluten-free” like gluten-free rolled oats and gluten-free quick oats.
However, their regular, non-gluten-free labeled oats like regular rolled oats likely contain traces of gluten. These regular oats are not safe for a gluten-free diet.
When purchasing any Nature’s Path oat products – including cereal, granola, and muesli – be sure to check the label carefully and look for gluten-free certification. This ensures the product is made with pure, gluten-free oats and is appropriate for a gluten-free, celiac-friendly diet.
Conclusion
Nature’s Path offers high quality gluten-free oats and oat products that are made safely to avoid contamination. Their gluten-free oats are third-party tested and certified gluten-free, making them a smart choice for those who need to follow a gluten-free diet for medical reasons like celiac disease.
When shopping Nature’s Path’s product line, just be diligent in checking labels for the gluten-free symbol to ensure you are choosing a gluten-free version. With proper precautions, Nature’s Path oats and foods can be enjoyed as part of a healthy gluten-free lifestyle.
