What does gluten mean? To put it simply, gluten is an encompassing term that refers to the proteins found in grains like wheat, barley, oats, etc. So, what does it mean to be gluten-free? Basically, it means avoiding pasta, bread, cookies, cereal, chips, and even beer! If you or someone you know is struggling to find gluten-free options (that are also appetizing), here are seven gluten-free brands and products that you can swear by.