Is Shady Brook Farms Turkey Gluten Free?

Gluten free diets have become increasingly popular in recent years, with more and more people choosing to avoid gluten for medical or personal reasons. For those following a gluten free diet around the holidays, an important question arises: is Shady Brook Farms turkey gluten free?

What is Gluten and Why Do People Avoid It?

Gluten is a protein found in grains like wheat, barley and rye It acts as a glue that helps food maintain its shape, acting as a binding agent For most people, gluten does not cause any issues. However, for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, consuming gluten can cause a range of unpleasant symptoms and health problems.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder where the ingestion of gluten leads to damage in the small intestine. This damage prevents the absorption of nutrients from food. Non-celiac gluten sensitivity involves similar symptoms as celiac disease, but without the intestinal damage.

People with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity must follow a strict lifelong gluten free diet, avoiding all foods and products containing gluten. Even small traces of gluten can trigger symptoms and damage Common symptoms of gluten intolerance include

• Abdominal pain, bloating and discomfort
• Diarrhea, constipation, vomiting
• Fatigue
• Skin rashes
• Headache, foggy mind
• Joint pain

For those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, following a gluten free diet is essential to manage symptoms and prevent further intestinal damage. This leads many to seek out gluten free options for foods traditionally containing gluten, like bread, pasta and baked goods.

Shady Brook Farms Turkey and Gluten

Shady Brook Farms produces a range of turkey products, including whole turkeys, turkey breasts, ground turkey and turkey sausages. For those avoiding gluten, the good news is that plain Shady Brook Farms turkey is gluten free!

Turkey is naturally gluten free. Since gluten comes from grains, meat products like turkey do not contain any gluten, making turkey a safe and delicious gluten free option. Shady Brook Farms states on their website FAQ that their fresh and frozen whole turkeys and bone-in turkey breasts do not contain any gluten.

This means that Shady Brook plain turkey, without any additives, coatings or stuffing, can be safely consumed on a gluten free diet. You can enjoy a Shady Brook Farms turkey for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner without worrying about gluten exposure.

Checking Labels on Flavored and Processed Shady Brook Turkey

While plain Shady Brook Farms whole turkeys and turkey breasts are gluten free, some of their flavored and processed turkey products may contain gluten. This includes items like:

• Turkey sausages or turkey patties
• Marinated turkey tenderloins
• Ground turkey
• Turkey meatballs

With flavored and processed turkey products, it is important to carefully check the ingredients label. Some products may contain small amounts of gluten containing additives and flavorings.

Shady Brook Farm’s FAQ states that their gravy and stuffing mixes are gluten free. However, always verify by double checking labels. Claims like “gluten free” must comply with FDA regulations, so look for those specific words on packaging.

If the product contains wheat, barley, rye or malt, it contains gluten and should be avoided. Look out for potentially gluten containing ingredients like soy sauce, modified food starch and flavorings. When in doubt, contact the manufacturer for confirmation about gluten content.

Tips for Enjoying Shady Brook Farms Turkey Gluten Free

Here are some tips for safely enjoying Shady Brook Farms gluten free turkey:

• Stick to plain whole turkeys and turkey breasts, without flavor injectors or coatings which may contain gluten.
• Double check all labels if buying flavored, seasoned or processed Shady Brook turkey products. Look for a “gluten free” claim.
• Avoid turkey gravies, stuffings or side dishes that contain gluten. Make your own gluten free versions instead.
• Use cornstarch instead of regular flour for thickening sauces or gravy.
• If cooking a whole turkey, remove and discard the bag of giblets which likely contains gluten.
• Prepare stuffing in a separate dish rather than stuffing it in the turkey, to prevent gluten contamination.
• Ensure shared prep areas, utensils and containers are thoroughly cleaned before prepping gluten free dishes.

Following these simple precautions will allow you to safely enjoy delicious Shady Brook Farms turkey on your gluten free diet. With proper label reading and avoiding cross-contamination, you don’t have to miss out on turkey at holiday meals. Plain Shady Brook Farms turkey is a tasty gluten free centerpiece.