Wheat (Gluten) Allergies

Oftentimes, people who are first diagnosed with a wheat or gluten allergy get a little overwhelmed by the changes it is going to have on their lifestyle. The good news is if you take some time and do some research, you will find that making the necessary adjustments to your lifestyle don’t have to be that difficult. One of the main things that you should start with is making sure that you understand what exactly is involved.

What are the Differences Between an Allergy to Wheat & Gluten

Wheat and gluten allergies are sometimes mistaken for the same thing. It’s important to understand while they have many of the same symptoms, they are very different. Gluten is a protein that is found in wheat, rye, barley and oats. Many times people experience an allergic reaction after consuming wheat or barley and assume that’s what they’re allergic too. However this is not always the case. The way to know for sure is to get an allergy test.

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms may be similar in both allergies. The following are some of the most common signs to look for:

• Painful skin rashes
• Flatulence
• Bloating
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Cramps
• Sweating
• Headaches
• Tiredness
• Hives
• Swelling
• Vomiting

Like any symptoms, these can range to mild to severe. See your doctor right away if they last more than a few days.

Treatment solutions

In this case avoidance is the best medicine. The FDA requires food manufacturers to label foods that contain gluten, but buyers should beware of foods containing “natural flavors”, as in some instances these foods will actually contain trace amounts of the glutton.

Since wheat is a staple food, it’s advisable to get the advice of a dietician. They will be able to give you alternative recipes that will provide all the nutrients you need, while keeping you away from the foods you’re allergic to. This is especially important for children, since proper nutrition is so important for kids

Finding Wheat-Free Alternatives

Many food manufactures have begun to realize that a large percentage of the population suffer from wheat allergies. So they are making good tasting foods that can be substituted into your diet quite easily. For instance the following is a list of possibilities:

Cereal: there are many completely wheat-free cereals that are made from corn or rice

Baking Products: You can find wheat-free brownies, pancake, or bread mixes that are actually quite good

Pasta: there are several brands that make great tasting pasta that actually cooks and reacts like your standard wheat pasta

Conclusion

Being diagnosed with a wheat allergy is not the end of the world. By getting all the important information about the allergy and researching foods that are wheat-free you can live a relatively normal life and still enjoy the foods you love.

RECOMMENDED Wheat/Gluten allergy relief RESOURCES

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