Wheat Intolerance

Wheat intolerance differs from coeliac disease. Coeliac disease is a lifelong intolerance to gliaden, part of the gluten proteins that are a large part of the grain of wheat, rye and barley. It causes damage to the small intestine and many other symptoms and tends to run in families. Strict adherence to a gluten-free diet brings complete resolution of symptoms.

Those with wheat intolerance will still experience adverse symptoms from gluten free products, as the remaining part of the wheat will be affecting them. They may, or may not, be able to eat rye, barley and oats, that are part of the wheat family and, as with many other food intolerances, may be able to reintroduce wheat back into the diet after a period of elimination.

Foods containing, or possibly containing, wheat

Bread and baked foods
All loaves, including pumpernickel, and rolls unless specifically stated; many "rye" and "corn" loaves contain some wheat; pitta, crumpets, muffins, tortillas, and tacos (should be corn but mostly wheat in UK), doughnuts, cakes, cookies, biscuits, crackers, croutons, packet snacks, rusks, waffles, pancakes, crepes, pizzas, pretzels, breadsticks, communion wafers, pasta, pastry, Yorkshire pudding, suet pudding, and many other puddings.

Cereals
Most cereals will contain some wheat. The exceptions are porridge oats, corn flakes, rice krispies and granola. NB. always read the labels.

Flour and pasta
All of these will contain some wheat unless stated to be wheat free or buckwheat, which is not from the wheat family.

Meat and Fish
Burgers, rissoles, salami, sausages, corned beef, luncheon meat, liver-sausage, continental sausages, pates, meat and fish pastes and spreads, ham, fish and scotch eggs coated with breadcrumbs.

Vegetable products
Vegetable pates and spreads, vegetables coated in breadcrumbs, e.g. onion rings, vegetables tempura, tinned beans, (also tinned spaghetti, often grouped with vegetables), soups and tinned and packet snack or ready prepared foods.

Sauces and condiments
Gravy, packet and jar and bottled sauces, casserole and "ready-meal" mixes, stock cubes and granules, ready prepared and powdered mustard, stuffing, baking powder, monosodium glutamate, some spice mixes (check label).

Desserts
Most puddings, pastry, yogurts containing cereal, ice cream, pancakes, cheesecakes and others with a biscuit base.

Beverages
Malted milk, chocolate, Ovaltine and other powered drinks. Beer, ale, stout, larger, Pils lager, whisky, malt whisky, gin, most spirits, many wine.

Confectionery
Liquorice, chocolate, chocolate bars and most wrapped bars. Other sweets (check labels).

Medication
Many prescribed and over the counter drugs contain wheat. Check with your pharmacist. Do not stop prescribed medication without discussing with your doctor.

Other
Glue on labels and postage stamps.

Alternatives to wheat

Cereal & grain
Maize (corn), maize(corn) flour, potato, potato flour, rice, rice flour, Soya beans, Soya flour, millet, buckwheat, sago, tapioca, quinoa, sorghum, arrowroot, gram (chickpea) flour, lentil flour. Chickpeas, beans and lentils are good fillers and can be added to soup.

Wheat-free pasta is available in large supermarkets and health food stores.

Baking powder
Bicarbonate of soda, cream of tartar.

Meat & fish
All fresh and frozen meats and fish without coatings.

Dairy & Eggs
Milk, cream, butter, margarine, eggs and unprocessed cheese.

Desserts
Rice, sago or tapoca puddings, jellies, sorbets, gelatine or vegegel based desserts.

Seasonings, sauces & condiments
Pure spices, salt, freshly ground pepper, French mustard. Home-made mayonnaise and dressings. Sauces prepared with cornflour or other alternative flour.

Additional Information on a Wheat - Free Diet

Forms of wheat products that may be listed on labels:

Durum wheat, spelt (triticum spelta), kamut (triticum poloncium)
Couscous
Bran, wheat bran, wheat germ, wheat gluten
Farina
Rusk
Semolina, durum wheat semolina
Flour, wholewheat flour, wheat flour, wheat starch
Starch, modified starch, hydrolised starch, food starch, edible starch
Vegetable starch, vegetable gum, vegetable protein
Cereal filler, cereal binder, cereal protein.

Written in January 2001 by Maureen Jenkins, Sussex Allergy service - Checked 4/2009