Replacing wheat with Kamut can help cut back allergens and offer you more nutrients!
Thousands of people suffer from food allergies, and a common food allergy within these numbers are allergies to wheat. When you have a wheat allergy, your immune system is extra sensitive to one of the proteins contained in wheat, and your system reacts to this protein as an invader. These protein invaders are known as gluten. You do not just have to consume wheat by mouth to have an allergic reaction, you can have an allergic reaction to wheat by simply breathing in the “dust” from it.
Common Symptoms of Wheat Allergens (also common symptoms of many food and chemical allergies):
Upset Stomach
Swelling Around The Mouth
Diarrhea
Nausea
Vomiting
Headaches
Eczema
Rashes/Hives
Stomach Cramps
Arthritis
Anaphylaxis
Joint And Muscle Pain
Sneezing/Watery Eyes
Tiredness/Lethargic
Coughing
Runny Nose
The Ancient grain of Kamut, that grows in the oasis of the Nile in Egypt, does not contain the wheat protein of gluten. Gluten/Wheat can be a very challenging ingredient to avoid, especially considering that almost everything seems to consist of a percentage of wheat. Be aware of those golden arch french fries from McDonalds, as they have made it public that their popular fries do contain wheat, even though they have been previously labeled as “gluten-free”. These little taters also contain traces of dairy. Mcdonalds decided to release this info due to a new rule by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the packaged foods industry, which requires the notation of common allergens such as milk, eggs, wheat, fish or peanuts. As a restaurant operator, McDonald's did not have to release this information, but did so voluntarily. This brings you to wonder what other things in which are labeled one way, making you think that it contains only what is shown, yet it could really contain allergens and other ingredients that may be harmful to those with food allergens. If you suffer from wheat allergies, or any food or chemical allergies for that matter, you want to make sure that you avoid any food or products that do not list the ingredients used.
Medical research supports the fact that taking away wheat/gluten from the diet of an autistic child will improve their symptoms. If you have children who are allergic to wheat, then you may want to take away the play-doh. According to wheatfree.org, play-doh contains wheat and may cause an allergic reaction. It is stated on the play-doh warning label that: “Play-Doh compound is non-toxic, non-irritating & non-allergenic except as noted: Children who are allergic to wheat gluten may have an allergic reaction to this product."
Kamut is a high protein grain, generally containing 30% more protein than wheat. Surprisingly most that are allergic to wheat do not react at all to kamut. Kamut is considered to be a high energy grain, and it contains high levels of vitamin E, Thiamin, Riboflavin, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, pantothentic acid, copper and complex carbohydrates.
Bread
Alcohol
Pastries
Barley/Re/Oats
graham crackers
pepper
Cereal/bran
cookies/crackers
Chocolate
pretzels
Pancake mix
hot dogs
ice cream
Pasta
Soy Sauce
Vitamins
MSG Based Foods
There is no doubt that being allergic to wheat and gluten can become quite a battle when grocery shopping or dining out, but taking the time to read the labels and to ask about the ingredients when dining at a restaurant, or at a special gathering, will save you a lot of health issues. Keep in mind that wheat is also referred to as semolina, bulgur, couscous, durum, and graham flour as well, which is usually found in a lot of pasta noodles. You can usually find kamut and other wheat and gluten free products within the health section of your local market. There are also a plethora of websites and companies that specialize in wheat-free products and recipes.
