Spelt?

[Nyxie63]

While wandering around the health food store, I noticed that some products were labeled gluten-free but had spelt in them. Isn't spelt a species of wheat? How in the world can they label something like that as gluten-free? While it may have a lower amount of gluten, its still gluten. I've even noticed that one of the gluten-free sites has spelt listed in some of its recipes. I don't know a whole lot about this, but it just doesn't seem right.

So, is it or isn't it safe?

[cruelshoes]

Spelt is an ancient form of wheat. It is lower in gluten, but still off limits for the gluten-free diet.

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Spelt is closely related to common wheat, and is not suitable for people with celiac disease. It is possible that spelt is suitable for people with a wheat allergy.....

I have often seen spelt products labeled as "wheat free", but I have not seen them labeled as "gluten free". Can you tell me what gluten-free internet site says spelt is safe? Moreover, it is often stated that spelt may be tolerated by those with a wheat allergy, but we all know that celiac disease is not an allergy, so it's still on the bad list.

Your instinct and knowledge is correct - Spelt is not a safe choice on the gluten-free diet.

[Nyxie63]

Thanks for the info! I'm still new at this and didn't say anything when I was at the health food store. What caught my eye was the gluten-free label, and then I read the ingredients and it said spelt. Thus my confusion. Next time I'm in there, I'll say something to the staff.

And I had a brain fart. Looked at the site again and it was sorghum, not spelt that was listed in the recipes. Should really be properly caffeinated before reading/posting. Sorry about that.

[psawyer]

Sorghum is safe. Spelt is indeed a form of wheat and according to some sources has an even higher concentration of protein (gluten) than ordinary wheat. Spelt is defintely to be avoided. You can make a decent gluten-free beer substituting sorghum for barley.

[4getgluten]

Avoid Spelt - from my first hand experience, I can tell you - it is not safe! 2 weeks into my gluten-free diet, I tried some Spelt bread. I thought it would be safe... wrong.. I was so sick!

[Green12]

It's a little alarming to hear you found products with spelt labeled as "gluten-free".

Ususally they label spelt products as "wheat free" or as a "wheat alternative", but they should never read gluten-free.

[blueeyedmanda]

Wow, I never saw that either. I will have to take a closer look next time I am at the health food store. Thanks for the heds up.

[Nyxie63]

The next time I go there, I'll jot down the brand names and products. Funky, huh?

[ruthla]

It's a little alarming to hear you found products with spelt labeled as "gluten-free".

Ususally they label spelt products as "wheat free" or as a "wheat alternative", but they should never read gluten-free.

Before I went completely gluten-free, and was just avoiding wheat, I bought a loaf of Trader Joe's 100% whole spelt bread. On the ingredient panel, it listed "spelt flour (wheat)" followed by whatever other ingredients were in it.