Wheat free diet

The aim of the Wheat-Free Diet is to eliminate all sources of
wheat in the diet.

DESCRIPTION

A Wheat-Free Diet is indicated when elimination and challenge
has established wheat as the cause of symptoms such as abdominal
bloating, diarrhoea, excessive wind or belching, hay fever, eczema,
itchy skin rashes, migraine, headaches.

DIET SHOULD BE ADEQUATE IN

1. Alternative grains and flours such as corn flour, cornmeal,
   corn chips, taco shells, soy flour, arrowroot, buckwheat flour and
   pasta, rice, rice flour, ground rice.
2. Gluten-free foods which do not contain even wheat starch.

DIET SHOULD ELIMINATE

1. All wheat -flour based foods such as bread, bread rolls, buns,
   pizza bases, cakes, biscuits, pastry, pikelets, crispbreads,
   scones, muffins, crumpets, doughnuts, spaghetti, noodles, couscous,
   most breakfast cereals, semolina, wheat starch, gravy powder,
   ice-cream cones, waffles, croutons.
2. Foods with wheat as a filler or minor ingredient such as
   preserved meats, sausages, crumbed and battered foods, nutmeat,
   gluten-based vegetarian meat substitutes.
3. Confectionery and snack foods with wheat starch or flour (check
   labels).
4. Medications with starch as a binder or filler.

SAMPLE MEAL PLAN

The following diet has been suggested for this
condition.

BREAKFAST

1. 1-1 1/2 cups rolled oats porridge or puffed corn cereal with
   low fat milk or soy milk.
2. Rice cakes with a boiled egg.
3. One piece fresh fruit.
4. Tea, coffee or herbal tea with low fat milk.

MORNING TEA

1. 2-4 rice cakes or several rice snacks or buckwheat pancakes
   with jam or honey or a slice of cheese and tomato.
2. One piece fresh fruit.

LUNCH

1. 1-1 1/2 cups steamed rice or buckwheat noodles or 4-6 rice
   cakes or 25-50g corn chips (nachos).
2. 2-3 slices lean cold meat (no starch content) or 30-60g chicken
   or tuna or salmon or melted cheese with taco sauce (for
   nachos).
3. Plenty of salad vegetables or stir-fry vegetables.
4. One piece fresh fruit.
5. Tea, coffee, herbal tea with low fat milk.

AFTERNOON TEA

Small tub low fat yoghurt.

DINNER

1. 120-150g lean red meat or chicken or 2-3 egg omelette with 20g
   grated cheese and tomato, shallots, mushrooms or 2-3 soybean
   patties (rice flour to bind) or tuna mornay (use cornflour to
   thicken).
2. 1-2 medium steamed potatoes or 1- 1 1/2cups rice or corn
   pasta.
3. Plenty of fresh vegetables, steamed or stir-fry or salad.
4. Rice pudding with stewed fruit or low fat yoghurt with fresh
   fruit salad.
5. Tea, coffee, herbal tea with low fat milk.

REMEMBER

1. Avoid all foods with wheat flour or starch as an
   ingredient.
2. Substitute alternative flours and grains at each meal or
   snack.

NOTEAfter a period of time with NO wheat, you may
become de-sensitised and able to eat some wheat without provoking
symptoms. Check with your health practitioner about re-introducing
wheat.

NOTES

A Wheat-Free Diet is NOT sufficient for people with gluten
intolerance (when rye, oats, barley, malt and triticale must also
be eliminated).