Gluten-Free Protein Guide
18 items classified under standard Gluten-Free guidelines.
How do protein fare on the Gluten-Free diet? The answer depends on whether the food contains gluten from wheat, barley, or rye. This guide breaks down all 18 items in this category with their classification, nutritional data, and the reasoning behind each status.
Quick Reference
| Food | Status | Calories (per 100g) |
|---|---|---|
| Black Beans | Allowed | 181kcal |
| Chickpea Flour | Allowed | 387kcal |
| Edamame | Allowed | 121kcal |
| Eggs | Allowed | 334kcal |
| Greek Yogurt | Allowed | 105kcal |
| Kidney Beans | Allowed | 177kcal |
| Pea Protein | Allowed | 180kcal |
| Tempeh | Allowed | 192kcal |
| Tofu | Allowed | 94kcal |
| Collagen Peptides | Limited | 360kcal |
| Gelatin | Limited | 381kcal |
| Lentil Pasta | Limited | 111kcal |
| Protein Bars | Limited | 335kcal |
| Protein Powder | Limited | 388kcal |
| Protein Shakes | Limited | 119kcal |
| Soy Protein | Limited | 335kcal |
| Veggie Burger | Limited | 224kcal |
| Whey Protein | Limited | 339kcal |
Classification Breakdown
9 Allowed — These protein are naturally free of wheat, barley, rye, and their gluten proteins. 9 Limited — These items have usually gluten-free in plain form but commonly cross-contaminated.
For celiac disease the threshold is 20 ppm, and cross-contamination matters as much as ingredients.
Allowed Protein (9)
Black Beans
AllowedAt 181kcal calories per 100g, Black Beans falls into the Allowed category under Gluten-Free guidelines. The classification reflects that it is naturally free of wheat, barley, rye, and their gluten proteins. Nutritionally, it also delivers 8.2g protein and 7g fat per serving. Within this category, it falls between Pea Protein and Tempeh for calories, ranking 8 of 18.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Variant | Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbs | Fiber |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry | 341kcal | 21.6g | 1.4g | 62.4g | 15.5g |
| Cooked (boiled) | 132kcal | 8.9g | 0.5g | 23.7g | 8.7g |
| Canned | 91kcal | 4.8g | 1.3g | 15.4g | 6.8g |
Chickpea Flour
AllowedChickpea Flour is classified as Allowed on Gluten-Free, with 387kcal calories per 100g. This means it is naturally free of wheat, barley, rye, and their gluten proteins. It also contains 22.4g protein and 6.7g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Gelatin at 381kcal.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Edamame
AllowedWith 121kcal calories per 100g, Edamame earns a Allowed classification on Gluten-Free. This means it is naturally free of wheat, barley, rye, and their gluten proteins. It also contains 11.9g protein and 5.2g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Protein Shakes and Kidney Beans for calories, ranking 5 of 18.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Eggs
AllowedEggs is classified as Allowed on Gluten-Free, with 334kcal calories per 100g. The classification reflects that it is naturally free of wheat, barley, rye, and their gluten proteins. Nutritionally, it also delivers 16.2g protein and 28.8g fat per serving. Within this category, it falls between Veggie Burger and Protein Bars for calories, ranking 11 of 18.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Variant | Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbs | Fiber |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whole Egg (raw) | 143kcal | 12.6g | 9.5g | 0.7g | 0g |
| Egg White (raw) | 52kcal | 10.9g | 0.2g | 0.7g | 0g |
| Egg Yolk (raw) | 322kcal | 15.9g | 26.5g | 3.6g | 0g |
Greek Yogurt
AllowedGreek Yogurt is classified as Allowed on Gluten-Free, with 105kcal calories per 100g. The classification reflects that it is naturally free of wheat, barley, rye, and their gluten proteins. Nutritionally, it also delivers 8.2g protein per serving. Among the 18 items in this category, greek yogurt sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Lentil Pasta at 111kcal.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Variant | Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbs | Fiber |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plain (whole milk) | 97kcal | 9g | 5g | 4g | 0g |
| Plain (nonfat) | 61kcal | 10.3g | 0.4g | 3.6g | — |
Kidney Beans
AllowedAt 177kcal calories per 100g, Kidney Beans falls into the Allowed category under Gluten-Free guidelines. It is naturally free of wheat, barley, rye, and their gluten proteins. Beyond the primary classification, kidney beans also provides 8.1g protein and 7g fat per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Edamame and Pea Protein for calories, ranking 6 of 18.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Variant | Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbs | Fiber |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry | 337kcal | 22.5g | 1.1g | 61.3g | 15.2g |
| Cooked (boiled) | 127kcal | 8.7g | 0.5g | 22.8g | 7.4g |
Pea Protein
AllowedAt 180kcal calories per 100g, Pea Protein falls into the Allowed category under Gluten-Free guidelines. The classification reflects that it is naturally free of wheat, barley, rye, and their gluten proteins. Nutritionally, it also delivers 14g fat and 2.7g fiber per serving. Within this category, it falls between Kidney Beans and Black Beans for calories, ranking 7 of 18.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Tempeh
AllowedTempeh is classified as Allowed on Gluten-Free, with 192kcal calories per 100g. The classification reflects that it is naturally free of wheat, barley, rye, and their gluten proteins. Nutritionally, it also delivers 20.3g protein and 10.8g fat per serving. Within this category, it falls between Black Beans and Veggie Burger for calories, ranking 9 of 18.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Variant | Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbs | Fiber |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plain | 192kcal | 20.3g | 10.8g | 7.6g | — |
| Cooked | 195kcal | 19.9g | 11.4g | 7.6g | — |
Tofu
AllowedTofu is classified as Allowed on Gluten-Free, with 94kcal calories per 100g. This means it is naturally free of wheat, barley, rye, and their gluten proteins. Among the 18 items in this category, tofu sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Greek Yogurt at 105kcal.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Variant | Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbs | Fiber |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Firm | 144kcal | 17.3g | 8.7g | 2.8g | 2.3g |
| Soft/Silken | 270kcal | 18.8g | 20.2g | 8.9g | 3.9g |
Limited Protein (9)
Collagen Peptides
LimitedAt 360kcal calories per 100g, Collagen Peptides falls into the Limited category under Gluten-Free guidelines. The classification reflects that it is usually gluten-free in plain form but commonly cross-contaminated. Nutritionally, it also delivers 90g protein and 300mg sodium per serving. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Whey Protein at 339kcal. Portion control is key here — a small amount may fit within the diet's parameters, while a full serving may not.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Gelatin
LimitedGelatin is classified as Limited on Gluten-Free, with 381kcal calories per 100g. The classification reflects that it is usually gluten-free in plain form but commonly cross-contaminated. Nutritionally, it also delivers 7.8g protein and 466mg sodium per serving. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Collagen Peptides at 360kcal. The "Limited" label means the classification depends on specific conditions — portion size, brand formulation, or preparation method can shift it from compliant to non-compliant.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Lentil Pasta
LimitedLentil Pasta is classified as Limited on Gluten-Free, with 111kcal calories per 100g. This means it is usually gluten-free in plain form but commonly cross-contaminated. It also contains 5.7g fat and 3.4g fiber, which may factor into overall meal planning. Among the 18 items in this category, lentil pasta sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Protein Shakes at 119kcal. Check the label carefully: the same product can be compliant or not depending on the specific brand or how it was prepared.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Protein Bars
LimitedAt 335kcal calories per 100g, Protein Bars falls into the Limited category under Gluten-Free guidelines. The classification reflects that it is usually gluten-free in plain form but commonly cross-contaminated. Nutritionally, it also delivers 88.3g protein and 1000mg sodium per serving. Within this category, it falls between Eggs and Soy Protein for calories, ranking 12 of 18. Portion control is key here — a small amount may fit within the diet's parameters, while a full serving may not.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Protein Powder
LimitedProtein Powder is classified as Limited on Gluten-Free, with 388kcal calories per 100g. This means it is usually gluten-free in plain form but commonly cross-contaminated. It also contains 55.6g protein and 5.6g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Chickpea Flour at 387kcal. The "Limited" label means the classification depends on specific conditions — portion size, brand formulation, or preparation method can shift it from compliant to non-compliant.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Protein Shakes
LimitedWith 119kcal calories per 100g, Protein Shakes earns a Limited classification on Gluten-Free. This means it is usually gluten-free in plain form but commonly cross-contaminated. Among the 18 items in this category, protein shakes sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Edamame at 121kcal. Portion control is key here — a small amount may fit within the diet's parameters, while a full serving may not.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Soy Protein
LimitedAt 335kcal calories per 100g, Soy Protein falls into the Limited category under Gluten-Free guidelines. The classification reflects that it is usually gluten-free in plain form but commonly cross-contaminated. Nutritionally, it also delivers 88.3g protein and 1000mg sodium per serving. Within this category, it falls between Protein Bars and Whey Protein for calories, ranking 13 of 18. Portion control is key here — a small amount may fit within the diet's parameters, while a full serving may not.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Veggie Burger
LimitedWith 224kcal calories per 100g, Veggie Burger earns a Limited classification on Gluten-Free. This means it is usually gluten-free in plain form but commonly cross-contaminated. It also contains 13g protein and 5.2g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Tempeh and Eggs for calories, ranking 10 of 18. The "Limited" label means the classification depends on specific conditions — portion size, brand formulation, or preparation method can shift it from compliant to non-compliant.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Whey Protein
LimitedWith 339kcal calories per 100g, Whey Protein earns a Limited classification on Gluten-Free. It is usually gluten-free in plain form but commonly cross-contaminated. Beyond the primary classification, whey protein also provides 11.7g protein and 968mg sodium per 100g. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Soy Protein at 335kcal. Check the label carefully: the same product can be compliant or not depending on the specific brand or how it was prepared.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central