July is National Ice Cream Month! What could be better than an ice-cold bowl of ice cream in the middle of this oppressive heat we have been experiencing? Did you know that it was Ronald Reagan that designated July as National Ice Cream Month in 1984?
Following the gluten-free diet can add some difficulty to finding ice cream that is safe to eat, but don’t worry, there are plenty of options out there! Aside from the obvious gluten-containing add-ins, most ice cream should be gluten-free. The following brands have many gluten-free options in their line-ups.
- Edy’s/Dryer’s – Ingredients will be clearly labeled on the package if there is any gluten.
- Breyer’s – Ingredients will be clearly labeled on the package if there is any gluten.
- Blue Bunny – Ingredients will be clearly labeled on the package if there is any gluten.
- Mayfield Dairy – Ingredients will be clearly labeled on the package if there is any gluten.
- Turkey Hill – Packages will be labeled “gluten-free.”
Dairy-free in addition to gluten-free? Sorbets are made from water flavored with fruit (juice or puree), wine, and/or liqueur and are a great dairy-free dessert. Don’t confuse sorbets with sherbet, though, as sherbet typically contains milk.
- Ciao Bella – All varieties are gluten-free. They make amazing sorbet – worth the money!
- So Delicious – Includes almond, soy, and coconut ice cream. Not all varieties are gluten-free.
- Soy Dream, Rice Dream, and Almond Dream – Not all varieties are gluten-free.
Do you prefer to go out for ice cream? I know that this option sometimes works best for us so that we aren’t eating ice cream all of the time. Have you tried these options to satisfy your ice cream cravings?
- Cold Stone Creamery
- Jeni’s Ice Cream – Many options including gluten-free macaroon ice cream sandwiches! Information on ingredients and gluten-free status are listed on the website.
- Dairy Queen – Many options, including the soft serve. Be cautious of the Blizzards due to add-ins and potential cross-contamination risks.
As you can see above, when I have ice cream at home I like to doctor it up a bit. Fresh fruit and chocolate chips are my current obsession. What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
I just recently joint …..my son was just diagnosed one month ago with celiac.
When you show thedifferent ice cream company names you say if gluten that ingredient will be clearly labeled if there is any gluten….so will it actually say wheat….or do I need to look for some other ingredient with hidden gluten?
Thank you
Janette,
It will say wheat or if the gluten source is barley or rye (I have never seen this in ice cream), they will be called out. Barley is commonly used in natural flavoring or may also be called “malt” on the label. If a label says “malt”, it is important to know the source. Rice malt is okay; barley malt is not.
Kim