Wheat Allergy Diet Tips

Many everyday food & drink items contain wheat

When you or your child is diagnosed with a wheat allergy it can be overwhelming.  So many questions come up, and it can leave your head spinning trying to find answers that make sense. Here are a few great tips and resources that have become invaluable to me as the mother of a child with wheat allergies.

Is gluten-free the same as wheat free?

No. Gluten is a protein found in wheat and other cereal grains. So an item marked “Gluten-free” (GF) may still contain wheat by-products such as albumin and globulins. 

Read ingredient labels carefully, even on GF foods. Check out Whole Foods' website for great information and recipes for a wheat free diet.
(http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/healthy-eating/special-diets/wheat-free)

What everyday foods do I have in my cupboard that may contain wheat or wheat by-products?

The list can be shocking when you learn how many products we use daily that may contain wheat.  This is just a partial list based on the extensive list I found on the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford website.  

1. Instant chocolate drink mix
2. Cereals made from farina
3. Products with malt added
4. Semolina
5. Spelt
6. Commercial frosting & icing
7. Ice cream & sherbet
8. Ice cream cones
9. Prepared mixes or packaged pudding containing wheat flour
10. Worcestershire sauce
11. Soy Sauce
12. Chocolates
13. Chocolate candy containing malt
14. Graham crackers

To see the full list go to: http://www.lpch.org/DiseaseHealthInfo/HealthLibrary/allergy/wheat.html 

My next blog post will provide a list of some of my daughter’s favorite wheat free and wheat substitute foods. You can share below the wheat free foods you love and it may be featured on the list.