Tag Archives: wheat allergy

Wheat Allergy vs. Gluten Allergy

I sometimes use the two terms interchangeably when explaining it: “My roommate has a gluten allergy — he’s allergic to wheat.” But the two really aren’t the same thing. If you have a gluten allergy (also known as celiac disease), the cause of the problem is a mixture of protein fragments in wheat and other common cereal grains like rye, oats, and barley. Different kinds of wheat, like semolina and spelt, are all unsafe. If gluten is your problem, you’ll have to eat other grains, like corn, rice, millet, sorghum, and quinoa. If you have a wheat allergy, the cause … Continue reading →

Watch Out for Food Allergies at Summer Fairs

My friend who has celiac disease will be joining me at a craft fair this weekend — and I’m concerned that he may have a hard time finding something safe to eat. Fairs, picnics, ball games, barbeques, and other summer gatherings can be a tough place for people with food allergies. It may not be possible to get an ingredients list from a fair vendor. Often, the food may be prepared off-site by someone other than the folks working the stand. If you’re especially sensitive, there may be issues of cross-contamination — a “safe” item may become unsafe if cooked … Continue reading →

What Is Celiac Disease?

A relatively recent acquaintance of mine took me out to lunch, and was very excited to see that we were near a P.F. Chang’s restaurant — because they offer a gluten free menu. My friend has celiac disease, also known as gluten-sensitive enteropathy, celiac sprue, or simply wheat allergy. The real culprit isn’t wheat but the gluten — proteins found in grains like wheat, barley, and rye. Celiac disease is actually an immune system disorder; when a person with celiac eats foods with glutens, the glutens cause damage to the lining of the small intestines. This damage makes it hard … Continue reading →