Oats

This oat section is under revision. For the updated Celiac Center at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Statement on Oats (May 2016), see Following a Gluten-Free Diet (pgs 11-14) under Celiac Center Patient Educational Materials.

Oatmeal_Bowl2

KEY POINTS:

  • Oats are a naturally gluten-free grain.
  • You can eat up to 1/2 cup of gluten-free oats per day on a gluten-free diet.
  • You should only eat oats that say "gluten-free" on product packaging.
  • Oats not labeled gluten-free are often contaminated with wheat, barley, or rye.
  • Before you add gluten-free oats to your diet you should: 1
    • Ask your doctor or dietitian if it is okay. Some people with celiac disease cannot eat oats.
    • Be sure to drink enough water since oats are high in fiber.
Oatmeal_Cookies

TAKE HOME MESSAGES:

  • Almost all people with celiac disease can include small amounts of gluten-free oats in their diet.
  • Oats must be labeled "gluten-free."
  • Ask your doctor or dietitian if it is okay to add gluten-free oats to your diet.
  • You should also consider having your celiac blood tests (IgA-tTG) rechecked a few months after adding back gluten-free oats. 

    BIDMC Celiac Center's position on oats in the gluten-free diet.

References:

  1. Celiac Disease Toolkit. American Dietetic Association. Chicago, IL, 2011.

Revision Date: 8-29-12 
Author: Tricia Thompson, MS, RD 
Editors: Melinda Dennis, MS, RD, LDN and Daniel Leffler, MD, MS

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