Is Conecuh sausage gluten free? Do not blame yourself for asking this question time and again, because you are certainly not alone!
So many people now live with gluten sensitivity or another problem caused by gluten.
It is essential for them to follow a gluten-free diet. But, does that mean you should avoid sausages?
It all depends on the ingredients, so you have to pay close attention to the labels. But does Conecuh sausage have gluten? Is it okay to eat it when you have gluten sensitivity?
Yes, Conecuh sausage is gluten free and does not contain gluten in any form.
Fact: Essentially a 100-person company, Conecuh makes 35,000 to 40,000 pounds of sausage every week.
Is Conecuh Sausage Gluten Free?
As the sun rises on a brisk autumn Saturday and the leaves crunch underfoot, the smell of freshly lit grills fills the air.
A variety of meats and veggies will be grilled throughout the day, but links of the famous local sausage, Conecuh, will undoubtedly make an appearance at some point.
Truly, Conecuh sausages are popular, but are they for everyone? What about those with gluten sensitivities?
Turns out, you can still enjoy Conecuh sausage even if you are grappling with gluten sensitivities.
What Makes Conecuh So Popular?
Locals love Conecuh Sausage at any time of year, especially during game time.
The sausage manufacturing business comes with a long history and has been serving people since 1947.
In reality, the company’s origins can be traced back to when locals lacked access to widespread refrigeration.
They have a long-standing reputation for using only the finest cuts of beef and seasoning them with a secret combination of spices.
The end result has that signature Conecuh taste that makes you want to keep going back for more.
What Makes Conecuh Sausage a Gluten-Free Treat?
So many times, you opt for something that looks safe, but you end up with gluten yourself.
But, instead of being paranoid, you should develop a habit of reading labels.
It is usually in the ingredients, and because you do not find anything “bad” per se in Conecuh sausage, it is perfectly safe to eat.
What are the Ingredients of Conecuh Sausage?
As mentioned already, Conecuh does not complicate the cooking process by adding unnecessary ingredients.
Not only does this help them produce amazing taste, but it also helps people with gluten intolerance to enjoy their sausage with confidence,
Essentially, their sausage contains pork as the main ingredient.
You will also find some salt, sugar, water, and a blend of spices, along with sodium erythorbate, sodium nitrite, and monosodium glutamate.
What Types of Conecuh Sausages Can You Order?
Conecuh offers sausages in six different varieties.
Most of them are produced with natural sheep or hog casings and smoked nicely over a hickory fire.
The spice mixture is patented, but all the sausages are low in salt and gluten-free.
Among the numerous varieties of sausage are:
- Hickory-smoked, all-natural sausage
- Spicy & Hot sausage
- Cajun-flavored (think gumbo!)
Is Meat in Conecuh Sausage Gluten-Free?
Inherently, meat does not contain gluten.
Meats that have not been processed in any way, such as fresh and unprocessed beef, poultry (turkey, chicken, etc.), lamb, rabbit, and fish are naturally gluten-free.
Most of the sausages you find at Conecuh use pork, which is also considered gluten-free.
Is Meat Always Gluten-Free and Safe to Eat?
Not really.
You should watch out for floured or breaded meats, as they often include wheat and, thus, gluten.
Be wary of meats marinated or doused in broths or sauces. It is important to check the labels to see if any additional ingredients have been added.
Similarly, you may want to avoid meat or food marinated in teriyaki or soy sauce.
They are usually not healthy for people with celiac disease or sensitivities because these sauces contain gluten.
What Should You Do to Eat Meat Safely with Gluten Sensitivities?
Ideally, you should choose gluten-free certified items when shopping for sausages, hot dogs, hams, or imitation meats.
If you have a gluten allergy, it is important to avoid deli meats unless they are certified gluten-free.
Similarly, it is also important to avoid any cross-contact sources, such as slicers, blades, or nearby gluten-containing meals.
Say no to poultry if you do not get any info about the source of starch or dextrin on the product label.
Is Bacon Gluten-Free like Sausage?
Just like sausage, many people want to know about the status of bacon and whether or not it is gluten-free.
The ingredients for traditional bacon include pork belly, sugar, seasonings, and nitrates.
Although simple bacon is gluten-free by definition, certain brands may add flavorings or additions that contain gluten.
However, some brands may contain gluten-containing starches, dextrin, and teriyaki or soy sauce.
Thankfully, you can find several brands offering gluten-free sausage and bacon.
For instance:
Farmland Foods
Farmland produces a vast array of pork-based goods, such as breakfast sausages.
A Farmland customer care agent confirmed that the brand does, in fact, mark some of its items as gluten-free.
You can find it on the product label to the right of the company logo.
Keep in mind that if you do not find that label, it means that the product “may” contain gluten.
It usually happens when the brand gets ingredients from outside suppliers who might process them with gluten.
Smithfield
Smithfield, most famous for its hams, also produces a variety of breakfast and dinner sausages.
Their link and loop sausage is totally free of any gluten or MSG.
The company guarantees that gluten components and other allergens are no longer used in any of its facilities.
Also, it employs a rigorous allergy management approach to avoid any chance of cross-contamination.
The firm promises to identify its products clearly if they contain gluten.
Tennessee Pride
This brand, which ConAgra Foods produce, is yet another good choice for those looking for gluten-free treats.
However, you need to keep in mind that they do not keep a database of gluten-free items.
ConAgra Foods continues to prominently list gluten components, but the company does not guarantee that the products are gluten-free in the legal sense.
Is Conecuh Sausage Gluten-Free and Healthy?
You would not find allergens in Conecuh sausage, making it a popular choice for those worried about triggering gluten allergies.
In terms of health benefits, sausage may not be at the top of the list of healthy foods, but it still has some nutritional value.
The USDA suggests that men should get 6oz of protein items a day, while women should stick to 5oz. And sausage and bacon may help reach that goal.
Can You Include Conecuh Sausage in Your Diet?
Most experts advise getting the majority of your protein from lean sources like lentils, beans, and lean cuts of poultry.
However, eating high-fat foods like sausages and bacon in moderation is not detrimental to your diet.
Sausage and bacon, despite their nutritional downsides, do provide a source of some necessary elements.
For instance:
Get Plenty of Protein
Sausage contains many grams of complete protein and supplies all nine essential amino acids.
Your body utilizes protein to preserve lean muscle mass and maintain other tissues’ health and function.
Fact: The average American needs 60g of protein a day and can get 13g with each serving of Conecuh sausage.
Get Your Daily Dose of Vitamin B-12
Vitamin B-12, a vital component for healthy red blood cells, is available in sausage and bacon.
Vitamin B-12 enables the production of hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying protein required by the blood.
Fact: Each serving of Conecuh sausage provides you with about 33% of your recommended daily intake of vitamin B-12.
Get Your Dose of Iron
Iron is an essential mineral that is also required for the formation of hemoglobin and is available in abundance in sausage.
Every molecule of hemoglobin requires four iron atoms, thus getting adequate iron in your diet is important for maintaining healthy red blood cell activity.
Fact: You get about 1.1mg of iron in a 3oz serving of sausage, whereas the same serving of bacon contains 0.8mg of iron.
Takeaway
When you ask, “Is Conecuh sausage gluten-free?” you are naturally worried about not triggering your allergy symptoms.
The best thing you can do is read the labels before you buy anything.
While Conecuh sausage is gluten-free, you can find other alternatives with “Gluten-Free” certifications.
Remember, the only way to eat safely is to be more vigilant and read labels.