Gluten Versus Wheat

[Bikerboy]

I have been gluten-free for several months now and have read everything I can get my hands on about Celiac disease but I'm still confused.

I know some food products say gluten free and wheat free while some say only wheat free. For instance, I eat Puffins cereal and it says wheat free but doesn't say gluten free.

Do I need to eat only foods that say gluten free?

[celiac3270]

If a product is gluten-free, it must also be wheat-free. After all, wheat is a form of gluten. However, a wheat-free product is not necessarily gluten-free. There could be gluten in the product from rye, barley, malt, etc.

[gf4life]

Some products in other countries (the UK, and maybe others) do allow CODEX wheat starch in their gluten free products. It does contain gluten but in a very low amount that they say doesn't cause symptoms. (but I still wonder if it will cause damage in the intestines over time and repeated consumption!) In the US this is not acceptable on the gluten-free diet. So depending on where you live, gluten free does NOT always mean wheat free, and wheat free does not always mean gluten free. If you are in the US, then if it is labeled gluten free, it SHOULD be wheat free by default.

Most Puffins cereal contains oat flour. This makes them not gluten free. Only the Honey Rice flavor is gluten-free. Here is a link that shows the ingredients.

Open Original Shared Link

Some people who are gluten-free continue to eat oats with apparently no ill effect. Other are bothered by oats. It is pretty much agreed that all oats are at least contaminated, even if the gluten in them doesn't really harm celiacs. I personally don't eat them, since I don't want to risk it. I can live without oats... There are plenty of other gluten-free choices out there.

God bless,

Mariann

[Bikerboy]

Thank you for the information. Three months ago my doctor was looking for the cause of increased enzyme levels in my liver and did a blood test that indicated I had Celiac disease. I have been avoiding wheat since that time and my latest blood test was 19 versus the 280 I had originally.

Fortunately or unfortunately, I don't have any symtoms for Celiac and can pretty much eat whatever I want to without any problems so a blood test is the only way I have of knowing if I'm on the right track.

Since I don't feel bad I gave up wheat on the strength of that blood test and the advice of my doctor.