Is Squash With Vidalia Onions Gluten Free?

The Ingredient Breakdown

When determining if a processed food is safe for a gluten-free diet, we must look beyond the main vegetables and examine the additives, preservatives, and processing aids. The standard ingredient list for Squash With Vidalia Onions includes: SQUASH, WATER, VIDALIA ONIONS, SUGAR, SALT, GRANULATED ONION, CALCIUM CHLORIDE, WHITE PEPPER, and ERYTHORBIC ACID.

The primary ingredients—squash, onions, water, and sugar—are naturally free of gluten. However, the safety of a processed product often hinges on the additives. Calcium Chloride is a firming agent used to maintain the texture of the vegetables during the canning process; it is a mineral salt and is completely gluten-free. Erythorbic Acid is a form of Vitamin C used to prevent oxidation and maintain the color of the squash and onions; it is synthetic and contains no gluten.

Finally, Granulated Onion and White Pepper are pure spices. While spices can sometimes be a source of hidden gluten if they are bulked up with wheat starch, in standard commercial brands, these are pure and safe. There are no thickeners, hydrolyzed wheat protein, or malt vinegar derivatives present in this formulation.

Nutritional Value

While this product is a safe bet for gluten avoidance, it is important to consider the nutritional density. Squash is naturally low in calories and high in vitamins A and C, but the canning process and added ingredients shift the profile. The inclusion of SUGAR adds to the carbohydrate count, which is something diabetics or those on a strict keto diet should monitor.

Because the product is packed in water and likely contains added salt, the sodium content can be moderate. However, as a side dish, the portion size is usually small enough that it fits easily into most dietary limits. It provides a convenient way to get vegetable servings without the prep time of fresh squash, but for a strictly whole-food diet, fresh sautéed squash with Vidalia onions would offer the same flavor with zero additives.