Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Distinction Between Wheat-free And Gluten-free

Momma Bird

Recommended Posts

Momma Bird Newbie
Momma Bird
Posted

I'm confused. If I am gluten intolerant, I obviously can't have wheat. So why are some things labeled gluten-free/wheat-free, and others only gluten free. Do I have to find things with both?

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Guhlia Rising Star
Guhlia
Posted

Gluten includes wheat, barley, rye, and oats.

Things labeled as wheat-free can still contain barley, rye, and oats. This would NOT be considered gluten free.

Things that are gluten free are always wheat free.

tarnalberry Community Regular
tarnalberry
Posted

exactly what guhlia said - gluten free includes three *additional* things besides being wheat free. so wheat free is *not* enough. most things marked gluten free will not say wheat free, because wheat free is just a subset of gluten free, and hence is implied with gluten free.

Tim-n-VA Contributor
Tim-n-VA
Posted

Since gluten from wheat is the protein in the grain, it is at least theoretically possible for someone with a gluten intolerance to have the other parts of the wheat. I mention this only because there is at least one product on the market as gluten-free that has wheat fiber.

I am not advocating eating such products. There would be a high risk of cross-contamination (unless you know and have confidence in the company).

Also, gluten intolerant is a phrase that some people use to cover classic celiac as well as a classic wheat allergy as well as just a known dietary response to gluten with out a clear diagnosis of the mechanism. Some people on that spectrum could have items that are wheat-free but not gluten-free.

debmidge Rising Star
debmidge
Posted

When you see a product that only states "Wheat-Free" & doesn't state "Gluten-Free" it's a product that people who are avoiding "wheat-only" would want to buy. If you are staying away from from gluten, you must purchase products which are "gluten-free" as "wheat-free" may also contain oat, rye or barley in some form.

It's an important difference. "Wheat-free" is usually for those who have "wheat allergy" or are avoiding only wheat for some reason or another.

"gluten free" is free of wheat BUT

"Wheat free" does not mean "gluten free"

lob6796 Contributor
lob6796
Posted

Yep. My mom said the other day "oh I got Emily some cookies - they are gluten free!" I was all happy and I went to check hte bag out.. and saw WHEAT FREE in big letters. Underneath in small letters it said NOT a gluten free product. Oh well, she tried!

  • 2 months later...
zachsmom Enthusiast
zachsmom
Posted

Only eat gluten free... ignore the wheat free and pretend its gluten... Like the posts said there are other things that are left in the mix when its still wheat free,,, ( like the stuff that makes you ill ,. ) in gluten free its all gone . go always gluten free

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Guest j_mommy
Guest j_mommy
Posted

Alot of Gluten free food is labeled....gluten free/wheat free.....a product labeled like that is gluten free...they are just adding that to make it clearer!

hathor Contributor
hathor
Posted

My theory is that they say "wheat free" on some gluten free items because folks who are allergic to wheat don't necessarily know what gluten is. Why would they have to? They just ("just" :rolleyes: ) have to avoid wheat.

zachsmom Enthusiast
zachsmom
Posted

yeah .. wheat free doesnt mean safe... IF IT DOESNT SAY GLUTEN FREE ..... put it back ...

psawyer Proficient
psawyer
Posted

If it says "wheat free," but does not say "gluten free," then more investigation is needed. The definition of "gluten free" has not been decided in the US, and some manufacturers are avoiding the phrase until it is. Read the ingredients carefully, and if there are any questionable ones, call the company. But the product may be fine.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      126,297
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Struz
    Newest Member
    Struz
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      120.9k
    • Total Posts
      69.3k
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Gunni
      Diabetes like symptoms and more

      By Gunni · Posted

      Hey Talia4, I still try to stay on the lower end of carb intake but things are way easier for me these days. It really looks like a digestive issue at the core in my case   As supplements with meals I'm now taking 3-4x 650mg betaine hcl without pepsin (to handle larger doses) 1-2x Doctor's Best digestive enzymes   And daily Share Pommelozzini. This has helped my digestion immensely with carbs and fats. I'm way more tolerant of larger meals and things are a lot easier. Happy to hear any progress or findings on your end as well though!  
    • trents
      gluten-free and continued upper left side pain after drinking wine

      By trents · Posted

      I think most of us, when we first got our diagnosis, imagined that going gluten free would be the magic the bullet that would restore us to perfect health. We soon find out that it usually isn't quite that simple and that celiac disease has long fingers.
    • Celiacsugh
      gluten-free and continued upper left side pain after drinking wine

      By Celiacsugh · Posted

      Thanks! I still have much to learn, I'd hoped going gluten-free would be a magic bullet and I'm learning my system is still very sensitive which is overwhelming and discouraging at times. Thanks for the yogurt tip! There is comfort in knowing that this is common during early healing and I'm not alone! 
    • Celiacsugh
      gluten-free and continued upper left side pain after drinking wine

      By Celiacsugh · Posted

      Thanks so much for the response. Are you usually able to pinpoint a trigger when you get the pain again? What I didn’t share in my earlier post is that I also usually eat out on weekends (though I share celiacs/needs to be gluten-free) and I’ve also been under a lot of stress lately in my personal life. While I’m speculating that it’s the wine it could certainly be a number of things. Do you ever notice the pain more when you are stressed? Learning so much about the brain/gut connection and celiacs. Thanks, there is comfort in hearing others have experienced similar symptoms. 
    • Raquel2021
      gluten-free and continued upper left side pain after drinking wine

      By Raquel2021 · Posted

      This was my main symptom. I still get it from time to time. Also feels like a burning pain on the upper abdomen. I think the wine could definitely cause the pain to be worse. There are do many things I still can't eat.
×
×
  • Create New...