Ask an expert
Search expert health advice:
Browse by expert
- Allergy expert
- Anti-ageing expert
- Arthritis expert
- Breast cancer expert
- Cancer expert
- CyberDoc
- Oral health expert
- Diabetes expert
- EnviroHealth expert
- Family law expert
Question
26 Jan 2004
Share
wheat-free foods to assist in Rx of pancreatitis
I suffer from pancreatitis and gastritis and was advised by a Homeopath to change my diet to a wheat-free one. I do not know what foods to avoid and what I can eat. Does oats and rye contain wheat or are they in the wheat family?
DietDoc
Dear Gary
It is not a good idea to go on a wheat-free diet if you have not been tested for such an allergy by a medical dr and have a positive result. Wheat-free diets are particularly difficult to sustain as you can basically only eat: fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, eggs, milk, yoghurt and cheese, rye bread, rice or maize cakes, maize meal, samp, sorghum and Maltabella, maizena, rice flour and other wheat-free products. You would have to check every label of every processed food as wheat flour is used extensively to thicken sauces, soups, the liquid in canned foods, etc, etc. Most individuals who are truly allergic to wheat can also not tolerate oats. So FIRST ask you gp to send you for allergy tests before you start eliminating wheat. If you have gastritis then you need to use antacids and/or proton pump inhibitors such as Losec and avoid foods that can irritate the stomach. For pancreatitis you need to eat a balanced low-fat diet that is rich in protective nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals and bioflavonoids.
I hope you will soon feel better.
Best regards
DietDoc
It is not a good idea to go on a wheat-free diet if you have not been tested for such an allergy by a medical dr and have a positive result. Wheat-free diets are particularly difficult to sustain as you can basically only eat: fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, eggs, milk, yoghurt and cheese, rye bread, rice or maize cakes, maize meal, samp, sorghum and Maltabella, maizena, rice flour and other wheat-free products. You would have to check every label of every processed food as wheat flour is used extensively to thicken sauces, soups, the liquid in canned foods, etc, etc. Most individuals who are truly allergic to wheat can also not tolerate oats. So FIRST ask you gp to send you for allergy tests before you start eliminating wheat. If you have gastritis then you need to use antacids and/or proton pump inhibitors such as Losec and avoid foods that can irritate the stomach. For pancreatitis you need to eat a balanced low-fat diet that is rich in protective nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals and bioflavonoids.
I hope you will soon feel better.
Best regards
DietDoc
The information provided does not constitute a diagnosis of your condition. You should consult a medical practitioner or other appropriate health care professional for a physical examination, diagnosis and formal advice. Health24 and the expert accept no responsibility or liability for any damage or personal harm you may suffer resulting from making use of this content.
