Slurpees are the perfect summer treat. You can get them in any flavor you want, and it’s fun to watch your drink slowly freeze. But there’s one thing that worries me: Slurpees contain gluten. In this article, we’ll explore if Slurpees contain gluten and what that means for people with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity.
Do Slurpees Contain Gluten?
You may have heard that Slurpees contain gluten. Well, the truth is that Slurpees do not contain gluten.
Slurpees are frozen beverages made with sweetened syrups. They are usually sold in cups and are served at convenience stores, movie theaters, and fast-food restaurants. They come in many different flavors, including: blue raspberry, cherry, grape, green apple, orange, raspberry red grapefruit, strawberry, and strawberry kiwi.
The word “slurp” comes from the sound of drinking something via a straw. It was invented by Omar Knedlik after he invented the slush machine in the 1950s. The Slurpee machine allowed people to make their own frozen drinks by adding ice and flavorful syrups after they had finished making their purchases.
Only some Slurpees have gluten-containing ingredients.
Not every Slurpee is made with gluten-containing ingredients, but you’ll need to be on the lookout for those that do. If you see the words “made with wheat or oats” in the ingredient list, that’s a sign that your cup of icy deliciousness could contain gluten.
Additionally, all cups have a sticker on them with ingredients listed. This sticker tells you whether or not your drink contains wheat or oats (also known as oat-based). If it doesn’t say wheat or oats, then there’s no need to worry about cross-contamination from other products in the factory—though it should be noted that some factories do use shared equipment for their drinks.
Slurpees that are gluten-free will say so on the cup.
If you have celiac disease or a gluten allergy, then make sure you’re getting a cup with the green “gluten-free” sticker on it. If there isn’t one, then proceed with caution—you may be in for some stomach aches later on.
What’s Inside Slurpees?
There is nothing in a Slurpee that resembles real food.
For example, here’s the ingredient list for a regular Slurpee:
“A delicious slurpee prepared with high fructose corn syrup, water, natural and artificial flavors, citric acid, quillaia extract, sodium benzoate, yucca extract, and Red 40.”
The only ingredient that doesn’t need explaining is water. Here’s a little information about other ingredients:
- You might know that high fructose corn syrup is a form of sugar processed from corn.
- Citric acid is a preservative and gives a tart flavor to beverages.
- Natural flavors can mean anything that is derived from a natural source, like fruit, flowers, or herbs.
- Artificial flavors are man-made concoctions designed to add specific tastes.
- Quillaia extract is derived from the inner bark of the soapbark tree. It’s used as a foaming agent in various beverages.
- Sodium benzoate is a preservative linked to increased hyperactivity in children.
- Yucca extract is a popular flavoring in beverages.
- Red 40 is a controversial petroleum-based food dye that has been linked to ADHD in children. It is banned in Norway, France, Finland, Austria, and the U.K., and the European Parliament requires a warning label on products that use the dye.
How Much Sugar Does A Slurpee Have?
A 12-ounce Slurpee has 6 teaspoons of sugar. That’s almost the same amount of sugar you’ll find in5 Pepperidge Farm Milano cookies.
But those six teaspoons pale in comparison to the sugar content of the larger Slurpees, which are far more popular:
| Medium Slurpee (22 ounces) | 44 grams or 11 teaspoons |
| Large Slurpee (28 ounces) | 56 grams or 14 teaspoons |
| X-Large Slurpee (40-ounces) | 80 grams or 20 teaspoons |
To give you more perspective, the Medium Slurpee has the same amount of sugar as two packs of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups; the Large contains almost the same amount as two Dunkin’ Maple Cream Drizzle Donuts; and the X-Large has the same as 21 Ahoy! Cookies.
All that sugar isn’t healthy for your body. Sugary drink consumption raises a person’s risk for obesity, diabetes, tooth decay, heart disease, and other ailments. Research shows that drinking one or two sugary drinks a day increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 26%.
Just one small Slurpee has more sugar than one should consume daily. Now that you know the facts go get your gluten-free Slurpee. But since it doesn’t have nutritional value, is made from artificial ingredients and chemicals, and contains no real food, you’d best limit your consumption.
Drinker beware: some Slurpees contain gluten.
Gluten-sensitive customers should beware: Not all Slurpees are safe to drink. While most varieties of frozen beverages are gluten-free, some Slurpee cups contain traces of wheat and barley, which can trigger symptoms in people who are sensitive to these foods. If you’re concerned about your health or have been advised by a doctor to avoid gluten-containing products, check the ingredients list on your cup before ordering a Slurpee. You can also use a gluten-checker such as Nima Partner Gluten Sensor to check gluten in your Slurpee.
The good news is that most flavors of Slurpee are safe for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities. So if you want an icy treat without worrying about adding gluten to your diet, go for it!
Is ICEE Gluten-Free?
Icee is a brand of slushy typically made with a combo of flavored syrups and ice. Most flavors of Icee are gluten-free, but I recommend checking the ingredients list and nutritional info on the packaging to confirm if ICEE is gluten-free.
Are Slurpees Carbonated?
Frozen drinks like Slurpees don’t have to be carbonated. They are slushy-style drinks made by blending flavored syrup with ice. But the addition of CO2 helps make Slurpees airy and smooth.
Read more on carbonated Slurpees here.
Are Slurpees Healthy ForYou?
Oh, the age-old question, are Slurpees healthy for you? Well, buckle up, because I’m here to give you the skinny on this frosty treat.
Let’s start with the facts – Slurpees are primarily made of sugar and artificial flavors. That’s right, a large Slurpee can pack a whopping 68 grams of sugar, which is more than the daily recommended amount for many adults. Additionally, the artificial flavors and colors found in Slurpees can also be a source of concern for some people.
So, are Slurpees healthy for you? The short answer is no, they’re not. Consuming a high amount of sugar on a regular basis can lead to weight gain, increased risk of type 2 diabetes, and other health problems.
However, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a Slurpee every now and then. Treating yourself to a frosty drink can be a fun and refreshing experience, especially on a hot day. Just be sure to limit your consumption and make healthier choices the rest of the time.
In conclusion, Slurpees are not a healthy option, but they can be enjoyed as an occasional indulgence.
Final Thoughts
For the most part, you can enjoy a Slurpee without worrying that it contains gluten. There are several flavors that are made with only gluten-free ingredients, and they will be labeled as such on the cup. However, if you have any questions about a particular drink, it’s best to check with your local 7-Eleven store before purchasing!
