readers’ questions

This month I thought as I have had a few queries regarding the different types of bread I would share them with you.

1) What is gluten ? Is it in all bread ?
Gluten is the sticky protein found in some cereal grains. No it is only found in wheat (including durum, semolina), spelt, rye, oats, barley, triticale and kamut.

2) I am a celiac sufferer, what breads can I eat ?
Coeliac people are sensitive to gluten, so you need to find breads without this. The only breads you can eat are the ones made from rice, corn, potato, cornmeal and soy flours.

3) Do The Bread shop stock any gluten free breads?
At the moment, they do not stock any.

4) I have been told I should avoid wheat- is it in all breads?
No wheat is a cereal grain and is not in all breads. Wheat free breads include spelt, rye, rice, potato, soy, and corn.

5) What Bread Shop breads are wheat free?
Several actually- 100% Rye, Spelt (Dinklebrot), Rustic Spelt, Spelt Special, Spelt rolls. Sweet treats include- Valentines, Spelt Croissant and the Spelt Apple Danish.

6) Do all breads cause stomach bloating ?
No, not necessarily. Bloating may be a food intolerance to only wheat, in which case you most probably will be ok with spelt or rye breads. Wholemeal usually is better for digestion.

if you would like to be kept updated with Stephanie's advice, please send us your email address here. View previous month's healthy choice info here.

Stephanie Driver
Studied Bachelor of Science and Naturopathy in Perth, Western Australia. Worked in 2 Naturopath clinics north and west of the city for 4 years specialising in nutrition and herbal medicine before arriving in London in 2004.