• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Wheat by the Wayside
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Resources
  • About
  • Subscribe
  • Work with Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • GF Resources
  • About
  • Subscribe
  • Work with Me
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • GF Resources
    • About
    • Subscribe
    • Work with Me
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
  • ×

    Home » Resources for Gluten Free Living

    Is Gatorade Gluten-Free?

    Published: Jun 18, 2021 · Updated: Jun 18, 2021 by Katie | Wheat by the Wayside · This post may contain affiliate links, through which I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

    Save or Share this Post!

    47 shares
    • Share45
    • Reddit
    Gatorade bottles lined up on a ledge.

    There seems to be some debate about whether or not gatorade sports drinks are gluten-free. Gatorade thirst quenchers are not made with gluten-derived ingredients, but of course the answer to whether or not gatorade is actually gluten-free is a little ambiguous.

    Gatorade bottles lined up on a ledge.
    Photo by John McArthur on Unsplash

    There are a lot of folks in Facebook groups that are adamantly convinced that gatorade contains gluten, others say they drink it without issues.

    I am not sure if there ever was a time when gatorade was actually made with gluten, but as of today, gatorade sports drinks are not made with any gluten-derived ingredients.

    So why the debate? Why are so many people utterly convinced that gatorade is made with gluten?

    Ingredients in Gatorade

    Best I can tell, the debate stems from one particular ingredient. Here's what I found in Gatorade Thirst Quencher - Fruit Punch Flavor, which is similar to the ingredients in other flavors as well:

    WATER, SUGAR, DEXTROSE, CITRIC ACID, SALT, SODIUM CITRATE, MONOPOTASSIUM PHOSPHATE, MODIFIED FOOD STARCH, NATURAL FLAVOR, GLYCEROL ESTER OF ROSIN, RED 40, CARAMEL COLOR

    That modified food starch is probably the main ingredient causing trouble here but rest assured, gatorade states none of these ingredients are derived from wheat.

    So does that mean gatorade is safe to drink?

    Not Made with Gluten Containing Ingredients

    While gatorade is not made with any gluten-derived or gluten-containing ingredients, the makers of gatorade do not verify that their products are gluten-free, which is why they are not labeled gluten-free.

    Here's what the makers of Gatorade have to say about it:

    "None of the ingredients in Gatorade ready-to-drink, Gatorade mix (bulk and sticks), G2 products, Recover Protein Shakes, Recover Protein Powders, Prime Energy Chews, and Gatorade Endurance products are derived from grains or flours that have been linked to gluten sensitivity.

    While these products are not formulated using gluten-containing ingredients, they have NOT been tested to be gluten-free. There is a possibility the ingredients were exposed to/stored next to gluten-containing foods during processing."

    Safe or Not

    While Gatorade might be okay for someone with celiac disease or gluten-sensitivity to drink, the above statement from gatorade does give some people pause.

    Certainly, you don't have to consume only products specifically labeled gluten-free, but the ambiguous nature of statements like this is frustrating.

    Ultimately, even though there are no gluten-containing ingredients, there is still no way of knowing just how much gluten could be in any given bottle of Gatorade because the company is not validating the products. According to their statement, if you drink gatorade you are assuming some potential risk for gluten consumption. 

    Just how much risk? Unfortunately, no one really knows for sure. This could just be Gatorade covering their liability all the while knowing the potential risk for cross-contact is low. Or the risk could actually be quite prevalent and you really should take that into consideration. We just don't know!

    Would I love it if gatorade were labeled gluten-free? Yes, that would be great! Unfortunately, gatorade does not seem interested in pursuing that option. So for now the choice is one you'll have to make.

    Is 'no gluten ingredients' good enough for you? Or will you seek out other gluten-free thirst quenching alternatives?

    Gluten-Free Performance Drinks

    If you have decided to steer clear of Gatorade, here are some alternatives that are labeled gluten-free:

    • Vital Proteins Vital Performance Recover Drink
    • BODYARMOR Sports Drink Sports Beverage
    • PacificHealth Accelerade All Natural Sport Hydration Drink Mix
    • Vita Coco Coconut Water

    Thank you for reading! If you liked this article, be sure to check out other "is it gluten-free?" articles! 

    Also, join my VIP Community, (it's free)! I'll send new gluten-free articles & recipes right to your inbox! 

    Share this on Facebook and Pinterest using the social share buttons below! Sharing helps more people like you learn from these articles! 

    If you enjoyed this article, let me know in the comments!
    Thank you for your support! ♡

    More 'Is It Gluten-Free?' Articles

    • An open bag of Funyuns with some spilling out onto a teal wooden surface. Some Funyuns in a bowl next to the bag.
      Are Funyuns Gluten-free?
    • Is Chicken Broth Gluten-Free?
    • A corona beer box in a red dumpste. Photo by Hannes Richter on Unsplash
      Is Corona Beer Gluten-free?
    • A bowl of shredded cheese on a vintage cheese grater.
      Is Shredded Cheese Gluten-free?

    Disclaimer: The information in this article is the personal opinion of the author and for educational purposes only. This is not medical or nutritional advice. Please consult a doctor or medical professional before making changes to your diet or regarding any health related decisions. Ingredient information was accurate at the time of posting but should always be verified by the consumer by checking the product ingredient label for the most up to date information.

    More Resources for Living with Celiac Disease

    • Marshmallows on sticks roasting over a fire, text overlay gluten free camping recipes, ideas for every meal of the day.
      40+ Gluten-Free Camping Recipes: Ideas for Every Meal
    • Cool whip tub on pink background.
      Is Cool Whip Gluten-Free, Celiac Safe? Info and Alternatives
    • Roasted chicken on a bed of lettuce next to half of a lemon.
      Are Rotisserie Chickens Gluten Free? Find the Best Options!
    • Beef broth in a measuring cup next to a bowl with beef bouillon powder.
      Is Beef Broth Gluten-Free? A Guide and List of Safe Brands

    Save or Share this Post!

    47 shares
    • Share45
    • Reddit

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Comment Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Katie Olesen headshot.

    Hi, I'm Katie! I'm the blogger behind Wheat by the Wayside. I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease in 2018 and have been following a strict gluten-free diet ever since. The goal of WBTW is to share tried and tested, easy, and delicious gluten-free recipes to give you confidence in the kitchen! 

    More about me →

    Gluten-free Summer Desserts

    • Gluten-free tortilla dessert cups on a small plate filled with whipped cream, fresh berries, a drizzle of honey, and a sprig of mint.
      Gluten-Free Tortilla Dessert Cups
    • A round gluten-free peach upside down cake cake with peaches arranged on top with some slices cut, one on its side.
      Gluten-Free Peach Upside Down Cake with Almond Flour
    • A pile of dessert shells on a green speckled baking pan.
      Gluten-free Dessert Shells for Strawberry Shortcake
    • Gluten-free pie dough in white pie plate.
      Gluten-free Pie Crust

    Reader Favorite Recipes!

    • A stack of gluten-free double chocolate chip cookies.
      Gluten-free Double Chocolate Chip Cookies
    • Gluten free Oreo cheesecake on a rustic cake stand.
      Gluten-free Oreo Cheesecake
    • A plate of gluten free Hawaiian rolls, one on it's side to show texture.
      Gluten-free Hawaiian Rolls
    • A stack of 3 ingredient gluten-free flatbread with parsley on top.
      Easy Gluten-free Flatbread

    Footer

    Back to Top

    Quick Links

    • Recipe Index
    • Blogging Resources
    • Web Stories

    About

    • About/Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Accessibility Statement

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    This site contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

    Copyright © 2023 Katie Olesen | Wheat by the Wayside. Created with the Feast Plugin.