Bulgur and Gluten: What You Need to Know Before Eating
Yes, bulgur contains gluten. As a food product made from wheat, bulgur is considered a gluten-rich food and is therefore not suitable for individuals with celiac disease, gluten intolerance, or wheat allergy.
Bulgur is a grain product obtained by boiling, drying, and then grinding durum wheat. Wheat naturally contains a protein complex called gluten. Gluten is the main component that gives dough its elastic and fluffy texture. Since the structure of wheat is preserved during the production of bulgur, gluten is also present in the final product.
As a wheat-based product, bulgur is included in this list. Therefore, individuals following a gluten-free diet must avoid bulgur and dishes containing bulgur (such as pilaf, kısır, köfte, etc.).
Products marketed as "gluten-free bulgur" are typically made from other naturally gluten-free grains, such as buckwheat, and are offered as an alternative to traditional bulgur. When choosing these products, it is important to carefully read their labels and ensure they have a "gluten-free" declaration.
Dietitian Ege Bölük
I graduated from İstinye University's Department of Nutrition and Dietetics in 2020 and worked in the clinic of a specialized doctor to specialize in bariatric nutrition.
I continued my career by completing various training courses on multidisciplinary approaches to eating disorders, the use and support of nutritional supplements in diet, psychodietetics, nutrition and physiotherapy in athletes, and celiac disease and gluten enteropathy.
After joining the Naturiga team, I have been working on functional nutrition and supplementary foods with the esteemed functional medicine dietitian Erdi Uğur.
