Is Original Chili Gluten Free?

The Ingredient Breakdown

When determining if a product is safe for a gluten-free diet, we look beyond the marketing claims and go straight to the source: the ingredient list. For this Original Chili, the profile is surprisingly clean and straightforward.

First, the base is BEEF and WATER, which are naturally gluten-free. The thickening agent and flavor base comes from TOMATO SAUCE (water and tomato paste). Tomato paste is a safe thickener that does not contain gluten, unlike flour-based thickeners often found in other canned chilis.

Next, we look at the flavor enhancers. The product uses DRIED YEAST, SPICES, SALT, DEHYDRATED ONION, GARLIC, and PAPRIKA. All of these are single-ingredient spices that are inherently gluten-free. Finally, the NATURAL FLAVORS are derived from gluten-free sources in this specific formulation. There are no hydrolyzed wheat proteins or maltodextrin (unless specified as wheat-based) to worry about here.

Nutritional Value

While being gluten-free makes it accessible, the nutritional profile determines if it fits your health goals. A standard serving of chili is typically calorie-dense due to the meat and fat content. You can expect a moderate amount of total fat and saturated fat coming from the beef.

However, canned chilis are often high in sodium. If you are watching your blood pressure or adhering to a low-sodium diet, this is an area to monitor. Regarding carbohydrates, the sugar content is usually low to moderate, relying on the natural sugars in the tomato sauce rather than added sweeteners, which is a plus for those monitoring insulin spikes.