Oats for the Wheat Allergic Individual
Many people have asked about my use of oats in a wheat-free cookbook. There
are many sources that are concerned about cross-contamination between oats and
wheat. My decision to feed my child oats despite her wheat allergy came
initially through discussion with my allergist. He, like many other physicians,
sees no problem with oats for wheat allergic individuals. You will need to
involve your allergist in this decision, and any other decision involving adding
new foods to your diet.
This decision has been affirmed by more than 4 years of feeding oats to my
daughter. She is extremely sensitive to wheat. In fact, she had an anaphylactic
reaction from touching a counter with flour on it and putting her finger in her
mouth. Despite her extreme sensitivity to wheat, she has never reacted to oats.
She eats oats every single day. She has no ongoing eczema or other allergy
symptoms, and does not use any daily or ongoing allergy therapy (i.e. daily
Zyrtec, daily inhalers, etc.).
All of that aside, you need to make your own decision about the safety of
oats. To help you with that, please visit the following links to educate
yourself about the issue. After educating yourself, please discuss wheat and
oats with your allergist. Only an allergist can help you be certain that you
are making a safe decision about your allergies.
These are hospital websites that include a
recommended diet for wheat allergic individuals.
http://www.lpch.org/DiseaseHealthInfo/HealthLibrary/allergy/wheat.html
http://nyp.org/health/allergy-wheat.html
These websites explain in detail the difference between celiac disease and wheat allergy.
http://www.foodallergy.org/allergens/wheat.html
http://www.scienceinafrica.co.za/2001/december/gluten.htm
Here is a celiac website that also addresses the question.
http://sensibleceliac.com/myths-about-celiac-disease/
Additionally, here is a company that guarantees not to have cross-contamination in their oats.
http://www.creamhillestates.com/en_home.php
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