Quaker is a well-known brand that produces several types of grits. This company offers many nutritious breakfast options ranging from old-fashioned to quick and flavored grits. If you’ve been diagnosed with celiac disease or are trying to avoid gluten in your diet, you might be wondering if you can continue eating Quaker grits for breakfast.
So, are Quaker grits gluten-free? No, Quaker grits aren’t considered gluten-free. Quaker grits are made without gluten-containing ingredients. But the company doesn’t consider them gluten-free because of the high risk of cross-contamination. None of the several types of Quaker grits are considered gluten-free.
This article will tell you everything you need to know about Quaker grits, including what ingredients are used to make these grits. Keep reading to learn if Quaker grits and vegan and dairy-free.
What Are Quaker Grits?
Quaker grits are a type of porridge made from ground corn. Although grits can be made from white or yellow corn, Quaker grits are typically made from determined white corn.
Quaker grits are naturally gluten-free. However, Quaker doesn’t consider standard and instant grits entirely gluten-free because of an increased risk of cross-contamination.
Quaker produces several types of grits to make every meal an enjoyable experience. The two main types are Quaker Standard Grits and Quaker Instant Grits.
When it comes to standard grits, customers can choose between Quaker Standard Grits Quick 5-Minute and Quaker Standard Grits Old Fashioned.
Quaker Instant Grits are an excellent choice when you’re in a rush, and come in several mouthwatering flavors, including:
- Quaker Instant Grits Original Flavor
- Quaker Instant Grits Butter Flavor
- Quaker Instant Grits Cheddar Cheese Flavor
- Quaker Instant Grits Jalapeno Cheddar Flavor
- Quaker Instant Grits Country Bacon Flavor
- Quaker Instant Grits Red Eye Gravy and Country Ham Flavor
Who Makes Quaker Grits?
Quaker grits are made by the Quaker Oats Company. Also known as Quaker, the Quaker Oats Company is an American multi-industry company based in Chicago. PepsiCo has owned the Quaker Oats Company since 2001.
Quaker is one of the most popular brands of grits in the United States, but it also offers a variety of other cereal products. Quaker oats, breakfast cereals, oat snacks, oat flour, rice snacks, barley, cornmeal, and mixes are consumed by millions of people every day.
What Are the Ingredients in Quaker Grits?
There are several types of Quaker grits. Although made from corn, these grits are not labeled gluten-free.
Listed below are the different types of Quaker grits and the ingredients used to make them:
Quaker Standard Grits Quick 5-Minute
These smooth, creamy white hominy grits are ready in just 5 minutes for a quick but filling breakfast.
Ingredients used to make Quaker Standard Grits 5-Minute are:
- Degerminated white corn grits
- Niacin
- Reduced iron
- Thiamin mononitrate
- Riboflavin
- Folic acid
Quaker Standard Grits Old Fashioned
Quaker Standard Grits Old Fashioned is made using:
- White hominy grits made from corn
- Niacin
- Reduced iron
- Thiamin mononitrate
- Riboflavin
- Folic acid
Quaker Instant Grits Original Flavor
Quaker Instant Grits Original Flavor is an excellent choice when you’re on the go and need to make a quick but tasty breakfast or a side dish.
Ingredients used to make Quaker Instant Grits Original Flavor are:
- Degerminated white corn grits
- Salt
- Calcium carbonate
- Reduced iron
- Niacin
- BHT and Citric acid
- Thiamin mononitrate
- Riboflavin
- Folic acid
Quaker Instant Grits Butter Flavor
Featuring a delicious buttery flavor, Quaker Instant Grits Butter Flavor is made from the following ingredients:
- Degerminated white corn grits
- Dried margarine (margarine solids [partially hydrogenated soybean oil, salt, non-fat milk, soy lecithin, mono and diglycerides, annatto color, artificial flavor], whey, sodium caseinate, mono, and diglycerides)
- Salt
- Calcium carbonate
- Natural butter flavor (with annatto and turmeric colors)
- Soy lecithin
- Tapioca maltodextrin
- Beta carotene and turmeric extract
- Reduced iron
- Niacin
- BHT and citric acid
- Thiamin mononitrate
- Riboflavin
- Folic acid
Quaker Instant Grits Cheddar Cheese Flavor
Quaker Instant Grits Cheddar Cheese Flavor is made from:
- Degerminated white corn grits
- Cheese flavor blend (partially hydrogenated soybean oil, corn syrup solids, cheddar cheese [pasteurized milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes], salt, food starch-modified, sodium caseinate, autolyzed yeast extract, hydrolyzed soy protein, natural and artificial flavors, monosodium glutamate, sodium citrate, yellow 5, yellow 6, disodium guanylate, yellow 5 lakes, yellow 6 lakes)
- Salt
- Partly hydrogenated soybean oil
- Calcium carbonate
- Non-fat dry milk
- Natural and artificial flavors
- Mono and diglycerides
- Sugar
- Reduced iron
- Niacin
- BHT and citric acid
- Thiamin mononitrate
- Riboflavin
- Folic acid
Are Quaker Grits Gluten-Free?
Although made without gluten-containing ingredients, Quaker grits aren’t gluten-free. Quaker grits are manufactured in a shared facility. They can become cross-contaminated after coming in contact with gluten-containing products.
Are Quaker Grits Dairy-Free?
Some types of Quaker grits, including Quaker Quick Standard Grits, Quaker Standard Grits Old Fashioned, and Quaker Instant Grits Original Flavor, are dairy-free when made with water without added ingredients. Flavored Quaker grits contain non-fat milk and whey protein and are unsuitable for lactose-intolerant people.
Are Quaker Grits Vegan?
Quaker Instant Grits Original Flavor, Quaker Standard Grits Old Fashioned, and Quaker Quick Standard Grits don’t contain any animal products and are vegan. Pre-mixed and flavored packages of Quaker grits contain added dairy ingredients, which make them unsuitable for people on a plant-based diet.
Conclusion
Quaker is a popular brand of wholesome foods, including grits and oatmeal. If you’re a celiac or are trying to limit the amount of gluten in your diet, you might be wondering whether you can continue to eat Quaker grits for breakfast.
Quaker grits are made from naturally gluten-free ingredients, but they aren’t considered gluten-free. These grits are produced in the same facility as gluten-containing products, which increases the risk of cross-contamination.
If you have celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, look for a certified gluten-free brand of grits.
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