Wheat Allergy | How to Read a Label to Avoid Wheat
Even if they are not allergic to wheat, children with a wheat allergy must avoid eating it in any form.
How to Read a Label for Wheat
The federal Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) requires that you read the entire ingredient label to look for the names of wheat ingredients. Advisory statements such as “may contain wheat” are not required by any federal labeling law. Products exempt from plain English labeling rules include cosmetics, over-the-counter medications, toys, crafts, and pet food.
WHEAT IS SOMETIMES FOUND IN
If the product is an FDA-regulated food, the word “Wheat” must appear on the label, while starches from other sources should be labeled with a non-misleading term. For more information, see Starches Common or Usual Names (FDA).
Celiac Disease and Gluten
Celiac disease is an autoimmune digestive disease in which people can’t eat gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. It’s best not to self-diagnose if you think your body is reacting badly to wheat and you suspect a gluten problem.
Cross Reactivity: Do You Need to Avoid Foods Related to Wheat?
When the proteins in one food are similar to those in another, the body’s immune system treats them as one; for example, if you are allergic to one grain, you have a 20% chance of being allergic to another grain.
Nutrition for a Wheat-Free Diet
Grains contain protein and, when fortified, a wide range of vitamins and minerals; however, the milling process can remove important nutrients, so a serving or two of an enriched and fortified grain at each meal can help meet important nutritional needs for B vitamins, folacin, and iron.
Wheat Substitutions in Recipes
Substitute flours made from alternate grains can provide the same nutrients as wheat, but using wheat-free alternative flours can be tricky. Follow recipes carefully and become familiar with using alternative grains in recipes.
Wheat-Free Recipes
KFA’s Safe Eatsu2122 Recipes has over 1,000 wheat-free recipes. Search for Wheat-Free Recipes.
How do you identify a wheat allergy?
Swelling, itching, or irritation of the mouth or throat, hives, itchy rash, or swelling of the skin, nasal congestion, and anaphylaxis are all signs and symptoms of wheat allergy.
- Chest pain or tightness.
- Severe difficulty breathing.
- Trouble swallowing.
- Pale, blue skin color.
- Dizziness or fainting.
What foods to avoid if you have a wheat allergy?
Wheat-allergic people should avoid foods that contain wheat, such as:
- Cookies, cakes, donuts, muffins, crackers, pretzels, waffles, and bread.
- Breakfast cereals.
- Beer, ale, and root beer.
- Coffee substitutes, malted milk, and instant chocolate drink mixes.
What can I eat if I’m allergic to wheat?
Patients with wheat allergies are rarely allergic to other common grains, with the exception of barley in some cases. You can still eat a wide variety of foods, but the grain source must be something other than wheat; look for amaranth, barley, corn, oat, quinoa, rice, rye, and tapioca.
What flour to use if you are allergic to wheat?
Rice flour is easy to come by and can be substituted for wheat flour in some recipes, but it works best when combined with other flours. Tapioca starch. Potato starch.
Can you suddenly become allergic to wheat?
Gluten intolerance can develop suddenly, depending on genetic factors; some people develop symptoms early in life, while others don’t develop symptoms until later in life; if you develop symptoms suddenly, you should see your doctor for testing and treatment.
What is the natural cure for wheat allergy?
Wheat Allergy occurs when the immune system of the body produces antibodies to proteins found in wheat. Some Wheat Allergy Home Remedies
- Apples.
- Fennel and Cumin Water.
- Ginger.
- Fenugreek Seeds.
- Fenu
What bread can you eat if you are allergic to wheat?
Wheat-free cakes and biscuits are easier to find (and make) if you use eggs. 100% rye, oat, or pumpernickel bread are good alternatives. Oats do not contain the protein that causes wheat allergies, so pure oatcakes and crackers should be fine for anyone with a wheat allergy.
How do you get rid of a wheat allergy?
Antihistamines, which can be taken after exposure to wheat to control your reaction and relieve discomfort, may help reduce the signs and symptoms of minor wheat allergy. Ask your doctor if a prescription or over-the-counter allergy drug is appropriate for you. Epinephrine is an emergency treatment for anaphylaxis.
Does chocolate have wheat in it?
Crispy chocolate candies, for example, are frequently made with wheat or barley malt, both of which contain gluten, and chocolate bars with pretzels or cookies contain gluten-containing ingredients and should be avoided by gluten-free dieters.
What kind of bread doesn’t have wheat?
Oopsie bread is a popular wheat bread substitute that’s also delicious as a burger bun or with toppings. It’s simple to make, has only a few ingredients, and tastes great. You can find photos and a recipe for Oopsie bread here.
What cereals are wheat free?
Whole grains that are gluten-free
- Quinoa
- brown rice
- wild rice
- buckwheat
- sorghum
- tapioca
- millet
- amaranth
What’s the difference between a wheat allergy and a gluten allergy?
Gluten is a protein found in grains such as wheat, barley, and rye. While some people are allergic to wheat, this is not the same as a gluten allergy. Gluten allergy is often confused with wheat allergy or celiac disease.
Which flours are wheat free?
Alternative flours that are gluten-free and wheat-free
- Arrowroot flour.
- Banana flour.
- Barley flour.
- Brown rice flour.
- Buckwheat flour.
- Chia flour.
Can you get wheat free flour?
Maize (corn), corn flour, potato, potato flour, rice flour, soya beans, soya flour, buckwheat, millet, tapioca, quinoa, amaranth, sorghum, arrowroot, chickpea (gram) flour, and lentil flour are all wheat and gluten-free alternatives.
Are oats wheat free?
While oats are naturally gluten-free, contamination with gluten-containing crops can occur during farming. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, barley, and triticale, but oats do not belong to any of these groups, so they are generally safe to eat for people with celiac disease.