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Allergies: Living With a Wheat Allergy
Foods made with wheat are staples of the American diet. However, many people are allergic to proteins found in wheat, including gluten. If you are allergic to any wheat protein strictly avoiding wheat and wheat products is the only way to prevent a reaction, which can include stomach upset, eczema, hay fever, asthma and even anaphylaxis. But, it is not always easy to avoid these foods since many unsuspecting products contain wheat.
Always check the label ingredients before you use a product. Many processed foods, including ice cream and catsup, may contain wheat flour. In addition, check the label each time you use the product. Manufacturers occasionally change recipes, and a trigger food may be added to the new recipe.
Examples of wheat products and foods that may contain wheat include:
| Wheat Products | Wheat-Containing Ingredients | Wheat-Containing Food |
| Whole wheat or enriched flour High gluten flour High protein flour Bran Farina Graham flour Bulgur Durum Semolina Wheat malt Wheat starch Modified starch Starch |
Gluten Gelatinized starch Hydrolyzed vegetable protein Vital gluten Wheat bran Wheat germ Wheat gluten Vegetable gum Vegetable starch |
Many breads, cookies, cakes, and other baked goods Bread crumbs Crackers Many cereals Acker meal Couscous Cracker meal Pasta Spelt |
Substitutes for wheat include corn, potato, barley, oat, soy and rice flours and arrowroot starch.
Reviewed by the doctors at The Cleveland Clinic Department of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine.
WebMD Medical Reference provided in collaboration with the Cleveland Clinic
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