Difference between wheat & gluten; allergy and intolerance. 

Have you ever felt your little one has an allergic reaction to wheat? You go onto Google (as we all do) and it can be quite confusing. 

This blog is all about the difference between wheat & gluten and also coeliac disease.  I really wanted to write this to help support you and clear up the confusion. 

Let’s get into this

Difference between wheat and gluten

The difference between wheat and gluten is that wheat is a protein found in many products but not in all gluten contained products. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. For example barley is wheat free but it contains gluten. 

Let’s start with coeliac disease

What is Coeliac disease?

According to coeliac UK, “Coeliac disease is a serious illness where the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues when you eat gluten. This causes damage to the lining of the gut and means the body can’t properly absorb nutrients from food. Coeliac disease is not an allergy or food intolerance”. 

Coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition that can develop at any age and often runs in families. If a first-degree relative—such as a parent, sibling, or child—has coeliac disease, other family members are at a higher risk of developing it as well.

Understanding the role of genetics in coeliac disease diagnosis

We’ve known for a long time that certain genetic types (specifically HLA types) are linked to coeliac disease. Over the past 20 years, research into how our immune system reacts to these HLA types has grown, making genetic testing an important tool in diagnosing the condition—especially in children.

The science part – HLA genes are located on chromosome 6, and these genes can determine whether someone might develop coeliac disease. Testing for specific HLA types, like DQ2 and DQ8, is now recommended as part of the diagnostic process. This can be particularly helpful for those with a higher risk, like close family members of someone with coeliac disease or individuals with Down’s syndrome.

How common is celiac disease?

Coeliac disease is thought to affect around 1% of the worlds population (1 in 100 people) and about 2 million people in the USA. 

Many experts do however think this number may be underestimated because milder cases may go undiagnosed or be misdiagnosed as other digestive conditions. For example your little one may be diagnosed as having a wheat intolerance of allergy when in fact it is coeliac disease. This is why it is so important to have a correct assessment of symptoms.

Which foods contain gluten?

The NHS website states that, ‘coeliac disease is caused by an adverse reaction to gluten, which is a dietary protein found in 3 types of cereal. The following main cereals that gluten is found in are;

• wheat
• barley
• rye

Gluten is therefore found in any food made from these cereals, especially those containing wheat flour, such as:

• pasta
• cakes 
• breakfast cereals
• most types of bread
• certain types of sauces such as salad dressings
• some ready meals

Symptoms of celiac disease in toddlers and children

Symptoms of celiac disease in children can vary from child to child and by age, but they often appear in the gut/gastrointestinal tract. 

Babies may show signs soon after starting solid foods and gluten containing products are introduced. Common symptoms include;

• Digestive issues: Diarrhoea, constipation, vomiting, bloating, abdominal pain, and foul-smelling stools 
• Growth: Poor weight gain, weight loss, or not reaching expected height, delayed puberty 
• Other symptoms: Decreased appetite, increased fatigue, irritability, and frequent mouth ulcers 
• Other symptoms that may develop over time include: anaemia, shortness of breath, and behaviour issues… 

If you think your child has celiac disease and has any of these symptoms, contact your GP/seek support from a medical professional as soon as possible and continue to keep a food and symptoms log. 

Is there a cure for celiac disease?

At the moment there’s no cure for coeliac disease, but dietetic advice is avoid gluten-containing foods. This can allow the gut to repair, control symptoms and prevent the long-term complications of the condition.

Now, let’s dive into the differences between wheat and gluten, as well as the distinctions between allergy and intolerance

What is wheat allergy?

As a parent, it can be overwhelming to see your child struggle with food-related issues. Whether it’s a rash after a meal or an upset stomach, your mind naturally goes to what could be causing the discomfort. If you’ve noticed reactions to foods containing wheat, you might be wondering what it is – but, it may not be coeliac disease, it may be that your little one has a wheat allergy. It is important to note that a wheat allergy is not the same as gluten or wheat intoelrance or celiac disease. 

A wheat allergy occurs when the immune system mistakenly targets the proteins found in wheat, it produces immunoglobulin E antibodies (IgE), which are specifically activated when they encounter wheat. This can be eaten, inhaled or touch depending on the individual.

These antibodies (IgE) connect with wheat proteins and trigger an allergic response/reaction. This can be an immediate reaction (and out to 2 hours later) or delayed (2-72 hours after exposure).

Symptoms of wheat allergy

There are many different symptoms of wheat allergy and they can be similar symptoms to that of coeliac disease. That is why it is important to make sure your little one has a thorough assessment. 

Symptoms can include 

• Digestive issues: Diarrhoea, blood in stools, constipation, vomiting, bloating, abdominal pain, and foul-smelling stools 
• Growth: Poor weight gain, weight loss, or not reaching expected height. 
• Skin reaction – hives, rash, eczema
• Respiratory – breathing difficulty, wheezing, congestion, sniffly.  

In more severe cases anaphylaxis can occur in children. 

Foods that contain wheat protein

The main foods that contain wheat include;  wholewheat, wheat germ, wheat starch, couscous, semolina, spelt, wheat/durum pasta and wheat noodles. 

However there are many alternatives out there that you can use. These include; maize, millet, quinoa, rice, rye, pure oats, rice or buckwheat noodles, rice or corn pasta, chickpea, corn and buckwheat flours.

How to test for wheat allergy

Testing for wheat all can all depend on the symptoms that your baby is experiencing. 

If symptoms are immediate your baby may be sent for blood test to check levels of IgE antibodies. They may also be requested to have skin prick tests. 

If symptoms are delayed (2-72 hours after eating) then you may be advised to follow a wheat free diet for 2-4 weeks and then reintroduce wheat. All the time monitoring symptoms. 

​The diagnosis process will be discussed with your healthcare team. 

Whatever the reaction, as always, you should seek medical advice and your child should be referred to a specialist medical professional and dietitian.

Treatments for wheat allergy in children

If your baby is diagnosed with a wheat allergy, you’ll likely be advised to avoid all wheat products for a period of time. Following a wheat-free diet can feel overwhelming at first, but don’t hesitate to seek further advice—I’m here to help, and you can also find guidance on the BDA website.

In some cases, you may be advised to gradually reintroduce wheat at home using the wheat ladder. However, if your child has a severe wheat allergy, this process may need to be done in a hospital setting. For more severe reactions, your child may be prescribed autoinjectors or advised to take antihistamines when necessary.

Coeliac disease vs non-celiac gluten sensitivity/intolerance

Gluten intolerance, often referred to as non-coeliac gluten sensitivity (NCGS), describes a sensitivity to gluten. With NCGS people will experience symptoms similar to those with coeliac disease, but without the intestinal damage that characterises coeliac disease. NCGS is not an autoimmune disorder. 

NCGS is thought to be much more common than coeliac disease with around 1-13% of the population experiencing NCGS.

Although not damaging the immune system it can be life-impacting due to the symptoms caused. These symptoms include;  gastrointestinal symptoms, such as bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, or constipation. It can also trigger a wide variety of other symptoms in other parts of the body or the mind, such as; brain fog, headaches, migraines, dizziness, joint pain, and rashes/eczema.

If you suspect your child may have a gluten sensitivity, you should discuss this with your doctor or paediatrician.

Treatment for NCGS in children

If your child is diagnosed with NCGS, the best treatment initially is to follow a strict gluten-free diet. You may be advised by your healthcare team to trial your little one on some foods containing gluten as they may have a tolerance level. 

When following a gluten free diet you will need to read all food labels to ensure they are gluten free. Some common foods are gluten-containing grains such as; wheat, barley, or rye, and looking for certified gluten-free products. Charities such as Coeliac UK can also support with learning more about foods that are naturally gluten free. Don’t worry there are many naturally gluten-free foods  such as; fresh meat, fish, potatoes, fruit and vegetables. 

Popular gluten free brands

Thankfully, there are some fabulous gluten-free brands on the market now. And, many big brand names are creating gluten-free options, so you and your little ones don’t feel like they are missing out. 

Such as;

• McVitie’s Gluten Free Hobnobs Milk Chocolate Biscuits, 150g – £2.75
• Old El Paso Mexican Gluten Free Smoky BBQ Fajita Kit 462g – £3.50 
• Nestle GoFree Rice Pops Gluten Free Cereal 350g – £2.50
• Warburtons gluten-free crumpets – £2.20
• M&S have a great Gluten-free range

The difference between wheat allergy and wheat intolerance

The key difference between a wheat allergy and wheat intolerance, similar to the difference between coeliac disease and NCGS, lies in the immune system’s involvement. Wheat allergies trigger an immune response, while wheat intolerance does not. Wheat intolerance is also often seen in children with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Diagnosing and treating wheat intolerance

If you suspect your baby has an intolerance or wheat sensitivity you may be asked to keep a food diary to see where wheat is present in their diet. It may be that your little one can tolerate a small number of wheat containing foods without symptoms. General advice by your healthcare team would be to try the wheat ladder which is a slow reintroduction of wheat back into their diet.

Understanding The Difference between wheat vs gluten; allergy and intolerance is crucial for managing your child’s diet and health. Whether it’s an autoimmune condition like coeliac disease, a wheat allergy, or non-coeliac gluten sensitivity, each requires a unique approach to diagnosis and treatment. By staying informed and working closely with healthcare professionals, you can ensure your little one gets the right care and support. Remember, proper diagnosis is key to managing symptoms and promoting long-term health. If you need any support get in touch