Gluten Sensitivity Vs Celiac Disease
A gluten sensitivity is different than a true gluten allergy, also known as celiac disease .
If youre sensitive to gluten you may experience symptoms similar to irritable bowel syndrome such as brain fog, gas, diarrhea, and constipation as well as and skin conditions such as rashes when eating gluten-containing foods . Since food sensitivities often produce delayed reactions rather than sudden immune responses, signs of gluten sensitivity can take as long as 36 hours to show up.
Its estimated that 18 million Americans have a non-celiac gluten sensitivity, which is close to the entire population of New York .
Unlike a food sensitivity, those with celiac disease will have a full-blown immune reaction when they come in contact with gluten. This can result in sudden cramping and diarrhea, several days of severe digestive symptoms, vomiting, fatigue, irritability and over time, extreme weight loss .
The Celiac Disease Foundation estimates that every 1 in 100 people have celiac disease, and most arent diagnosed.
What You Should Know About Gluten Free Wheat Starch
A number of gluten free foods contain Codex wheat starch, often referred to as gluten free wheat starch, which has had the gluten washed out to a trace level so it is considered safe for people with coeliac disease. Learn what it is and how its safely used in gluten free foods.
Whether you have celiac disease or a gluten intolerance, wheat products are completely off-limits because they all contain gluten Or do they? Wheat starch is a somewhat confusing ingredient because, while it does contain wheat, it often doesnt contain gluten.
So, what is wheat starch and it is safe for people who have celiac disease? Keep reading to learn more about the gluten free wheat starch debate and what to look for when reading food labels.
Are Reeses Puffs Gluten Free
Reeses Puffs cereal is made of sweet and crunchy corn puffs coated with peanut butter. Obviously if you have a peanut allergy, you should avoid this cereal.
The cereal box isnt marked gluten free, however, the ingredient list, which includes whole grain corn, sugar, Reeses peanut butter, dextrose, corn meal, corn syrup, oil and artificial flavors, does not include any gluten-y ingredients.
I tested Reeses Puffs for hidden gluten with my Nima Sensor, and Nima came back with a smile .
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Can Those With Celiac Use Cosmetics With Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
If youve finally gotten your gluten intolerance under control, you may be hesitant to use cosmetics with hydrolyzed wheat protein.
Although there have been reports of soaps and cosmetics containing hydrolyzed wheat proteins to cause allergic reactions, this is rare.
According to the Mayo Clinic, those with celiac disease do not typically have adverse reactions from applying products containing hydrolyzed wheat protein to the skin.
However, you should avoid using dental products, lipstick, and other products that can potentially be ingested.
Some develop dermatitis herpetiformis , which is a reaction to gluten ingestion. It is characterized by itchy, burning skin. Those with DH are often very skeptical of using gluten-containing cosmetics.
Nevertheless, if you experience any adverse side effects from ingesting or applying any product, you should stop using it immediately.
What You Can Eat

There are many naturally wheat and gluten-free foods that are part of a healthy balanced diet. The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion recommends that for good health we eat a range of fruits and vegetables, low fat dairy products, oils and proteins , all of which are safe for celiacs and people with non-celiac gluten sensitivity.
Grains half of which should be whole grain should also be part of a healthy diet. And though it’s trickier if you have to avoid wheat and gluten, there are plenty of safe choices.
Check out this list of gluten-free grains as recommended by the Mayo Clinic:
- Amaranth
- Teff
Tip
Oats arent straightforward. According to the Gluten Free Watchdog, if you have celiac disease, you may want to avoid them altogether. They don’t naturally contain gluten, but may be contaminated with traces of wheat or barley during processing. Oats should be OK with a mild intolerance though, especially if the food carries a gluten-free statement.
Read more:List of Wheat-Free Bread and Cereal
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What’s The Problem With Wheat
Wheat contains a group of proteins called gluten, which some digestive systems can’t handle. Celiac disease is the name given to the autoimmune condition in which the body is permanently intolerant to gluten. According to the National Celiac Association, if you have undiagnosed or untreated celiac disease, the finger-like villi that line the walls of the small intestine become flattened and unable to absorb nutrients properly.
Full-blown celiac disease is a serious condition, and if you have it you’ll need to cut out gluten forever to avoid feeling poorly. You won’t be able to eat wheat again at some time in the future.
Another type of intolerance, known as non-celiac gluten sensitivity, or just plain gluten sensitivity/ intolerance is a more mild version of celiac disease, and it may get better. Unlike celiac disease it does not involve damage to the small intestines.
The National Celiac Association says symptoms of gluten sensitivity can range from mild to more severe and include diarrhea, vomiting and migraines. Following a wheat-free diet can reduce or eliminate these symptoms.
Beat The Wheat Will Be Closed From December 22 Until January 3
The Beat the Wheat Production kitchen will be closed from December 22nd and reopen on January 3rd. There will be no orders being shipped out during this time. We feel that it is important that our staff spend the holidays with their loved ones. We appreciate your continued support!
Thank you from all of us at Beat the Wheat!
Happy Holidays and all the best in 2022!
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Wheat Intolerance And Sensitivity
Intolerance occurs when the body has difficulty digesting wheat and therefore reacts against it. The symptoms are usually much less defined than allergy and may take several days to appear but can cause digestive and nutritional problems. Symptoms of wheat intolerance can include poor digestion, bloating and wind, fatigue, headaches and joint pains. People who are sensitive to wheat may be able to tolerate the other gluten grains i.e. barley and rye. People with coeliac disease have an auto-immune disease caused by a reaction to gluten and must avoid it for life.
It is important for anybody who suspects they might have a food allergy/intolerance to ask their GP for a referral to a registered Dietitian prior to removing whole food groups from their diet.
A note on coeliac diseaseCoeliac disease is a chronic auto-immune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks itself when gluten has been eaten. This causes damage to the lining of the gut and means that the body is unable to properly absorb nutrients from food. For more information on gluten-free diets and coeliac disease visit Coeliac UK and read our spotlight on gluten-free guide.
Is Distilled Alcohol Gluten Free
Although hard liquors such as vodka, bourbon, whiskey, gin, and scotch are made from glutenous grains, they are actually made gluten free through the rigorous distillation process.
So basically even though some liquors are made with gluten, after distillation, all the gluten is removed from the final product.
Thankfully, there are a couple fool proof liquors that are usually always gluten free such as tequila which is made from agave, rum which is made from sugar cane, and brandy which is basically distilled wine.
All of which are not made from wheat or any glutenous main ingredients.
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Is Tequila Gluten Free
Yes, if the tequila is made the natural way using blue agave, it is gluten free.
However, if the tequila is sold or marketed as mix, then these variations will sometimes include gluten.
As a result, thats why its so important to opt for a tequila that has bee made with 100% agave and thats it.
And dont worry, the age or color of the tequila will not affect whether of not it contains gluten.
Is Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein Bad For You
Wheat is one of the most recognized foods that can cause adverse sensitivities and allergic reactions for individuals. But, If you have celiac disease or have gluten sensitivity, hydrolyzed wheat proteins may have minimal effects due to the changes of molecular formation.
According to Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, the leading journal of the American Gastroenterological Association , a study has shown hydrolyzed wheat protein not to be toxic to those with celiac disease.
After completing a sixty-day study, researchers concluded that celiac disease patients could safely consume hydrolyzed wheat protein without harmful side effects.
However, if you are hypersensitive to gluten, consuming foods with hydrolyzed wheat protein could result in severe symptoms.
Here are some symptoms you may experience if you have a reaction to the hydrolyzed wheat protein in your food:
- Anemia
- Bloating
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What Is Wheat Starch Anyway
If you do any gluten free baking for yourself, youll likely come across a variety of flours and starches in your favorite recipes. Some common gluten free flours include almond flour, coconut flour, and rice flour while common starches include cornstarch, tapioca starch, and potato starch. But what is the difference between a flour and a starch?
Both flours and starches start with the same raw ingredient some kind of grain, such as wheat. Where things change is in processing the grain to produce the end result. Flours go through some level of processing, but it is fairly minimal, especially for whole grains whole grain flours still contain carbohydrate, protein, and fiber. Starches go through extra processing to remove these substances which leaves them almost completely devoid of nutrition.
Wheat starch is simply a starch made from the processed endosperm of the wheat grain. It is likely processed by dissolving the water-soluble starch and then evaporating the water, the end result being a fine powdery starch. Because the gluten proteins have been removed, wheat starch does not lend any elasticity to dough it is primarily used as a thickener.
The Double Whammy: Wheat Free Vs Gluten Free

Weve learned thus far that, if youre going wheat-free, youre likely to still run into gluten in some way, in some form, if youre not paying attention. But, if youre going gluten-free, youll naturally go wheat-free since youre avoiding most grains. So, if youre looking to go both wheat- and gluten-free, its not as hardcore as you think! Youd simply be gluten-free and, in many cases, better for it.
Fortunately, gluten-free bread is not only delicious but made with safe and healthy ingredients like gluten-free grains, such as brown rice, buckwheat, and nut flours, and natural sweeteners, such as raw honey and pure maple syrup. And Outrageous Baking specializes in making them!
For over 14 years, weve been cooking up a variety of gluten-free and dairy-free sweet breads and other baked goods that can safely be enjoyed by those with food allergies and shared with anyone else. Of course, that means no wheat!
Visit us today to explore our recipes and to have freshly baked gluten-free goodness delivered to your footstep!
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What To Do If You Have Symptoms
If you have diarrhoea or you are vomiting, its important to keep yourself well hydrated by drinking lots of water.
Some people find that taking medication to treat constipation, diarrhoea or headaches can ease symptoms, but check with your pharmacist or GP.
The most important thing is to get back onto your gluten free diet to try to prevent further symptoms.
If your symptoms are very severe or do not improve, speak to your GP.
Coeliac UK support gluten free food safety for people with coeliac disease and gluten related conditions. To find out more, click here.
Foods That May Contain Gluten
These foods must be verified by reading the label or checking with the manufacturer/kitchen staff.
- Energy bars/granola bars some bars may contain wheat as an ingredient, and most use oats that are not gluten-free
- French fries be careful of batter containing wheat flour or cross-contact from fryers
- Potato chips some potato chip seasonings may contain malt vinegar or wheat starch
- Processed lunch meats
- Candy and candy bars
- Soup pay special attention to cream-based soups, which have flour as a thickener. Many soups also contain barley
- Multi-grain or artisan tortilla chips or tortillas that are not entirely corn-based may contain a wheat-based ingredient
- Salad dressings and marinades may contain malt vinegar, soy sauce, flour
- Starch or dextrin if found on a meat or poultry product could be from any grain, including wheat
- Brown rice syrup may be made with barley enzymes
- Meat substitutes made with seitan such as vegetarian burgers, vegetarian sausage, imitation bacon, imitation seafood
- Soy sauce
- Self-basting poultry
- Pre-seasoned meats
- Cheesecake filling some recipes include wheat flour
- Eggs served at restaurants some restaurants put pancake batter in their scrambled eggs and omelets, but on their own, eggs are naturally gluten-free
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Popular Gluten Free Alcoholic Drinks
Here are some awesome articles about some of the best gluten free alcoholic drinks and cocktails you can make with all the gluten free liquors listed above.
Plus, you can generally use this listing as a menu of all potential drinks that you can order at most bars and restaurants.
So with that being said, here are the most popular cocktails that can me made using the gluten free liquor. Just be sure to request one of the alcohols listed above to ensure a truly gluten free experience.
- Old Fashioned
- Moscow Mule
- Mojito
Gluten And Wheat Are Not The Same
Gluten is found in wheat, and many people think of “gluten” as coming only from wheat. That’s where the confusion comes inpeople see the phrase “wheat-free” and assume the food is also gluten-free.
That’s a good way to get glutened, since variants of the gluten protein also come from the grains barley and rye. A food labeled as “wheat-free” still can contain either of those grains or ingredients made from them. Barley and rye are not used as often in foods as wheat is, but they’re still common enough to pose a potential problem for someone following the gluten-free diet.
Think about it this way: numerous mainstream beers contain no wheat but are made from barley. And there’s no question that mainstream beer is not safe for those with celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity.
Of course, most people who have been following the gluten-free diet for a while also realize that beer contains gluten. But when we see a box of cookies or some sort of ready-made food product labeled “wheat-free,” it’s easy to get confused.
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Wheat Allergy Vs Gluten Sensitivity
Gluten sensitivity is not an allergy. There are four gluten-related disorders: celiac disease , non-celiac gluten sensitivity, a skin rash called dermatitis herpetiformis, and gluten ataxia .
Wheat and gluten are present in many of the same foods, but they are not identical. Gluten is a protein that is present in wheatand also in the closely related grains barley and rye.
While wheat allergy involves IgE, gluten sensitivity does not involve this antibody. Gluten sensitivity occurs when gluten directly damages the small intestine in celiac disease or causes a non-IgE mediated reaction in non-celiac gluten sensitivity, gluten-induced dermatitis, or ataxia.