Allergy - Wheat Allergies

An old adage is that bread is the staff of life, but insofar as America is concerned, it could be more aptly suggested, that wheat is the staff of life. However, due to the high publicity given to wheat allergies, there are many people who have tried to eliminate, or reduce, wheat in their diets. Of course, it is essential for people who do suffer from wheat allergies, to totally avoid wheat and wheat products. But this is not the case for otherwise healthy individuals, who are more affected by adverse publicity, than any physical disorder.

If you are unwell, for any reason, and you suspect wheat allergies as the cause, you should consult your doctor, for a proper diagnosis. There are tests that can determine whether wheat allergies could be responsible. However, they are comparatively rare so you must get an accurate assessment. There is nothing to stop you avoiding wheat products until you have seen your doctor. A word of warning though, if you have experienced a severe allergic reaction, due to wheat allergies, or any other allergy, it is imperative to get emergency treatment, because the symptoms can have serious consequences.

Causes of Wheat Allergies

Gluten found in wheat is an elastic, rubbery, type of protein that is a trigger for wheat allergies. It also occurs in rye, barley, and to a lesser extent in oats, but it is not present in maize or rice. Bread owes its doughy consistency to its gluten content.

If people suffering from wheat allergies ingest gluten, it will act as an allergen to provoke an allergic reaction. The immune system overreacts to produce large quantities of antibodies, leading to the symptoms of wheat allergies. These symptoms include, hay fever, asthma, eczema, and sometimes anaphylaxis, that can be fatal.

Best Treatment - Avoidance

If you suffer from wheat allergies, prevention is the best treatment, through avoidance of products containing wheat, barley or oats. It will require a determined effort, because wheat products are the main stay of many western diets, and a wheat free diet, might be considered to be fairly restrictive. There are delicious alternatives, such as fresh fruit and vegetable dishes that may do you even more good in the long run.

It should remain uppermost in your mind that wheat products will trigger wheat allergies, and must be avoided at all costs. Diet sheets, and diet books are available to help you, but you are the best person to judge what is safe, and enjoyable, for you.

Food Labeling

Check food labeling, even for those foods you have found to be OK previously, because manufacturers could always change their ingredients. There are numerous processed foods, including ice cream, that contain, substances like wheat flour that can trigger wheat allergies.

So you do need to be very careful. You may be a good cook already, but if not you can always learn. There are lots of safe foods, and if you buy them to make up your own dishes, you will be sure they are safe, and become a more creative cook. So, don’t rely on processed foods, make your own, and if space and time allow, consider growing your own as well.

As a wheat allergies sufferer, you must steer absolutely away from all wheat products. Bread, cakes, biscuits, cereals etc. etc. etc. are all off the menu and totally forbidden. Rest assured though that the list of forbidden foods is nothing like as extensive as those you can enjoy. Just eat wisely, and safely, and stay well.

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