Spelt (Gluten)

🌾 What is Spelt?

Spelt is an ancient grain closely related to wheat. It has a naturally nutty flavor and is commonly used in baking, bread, pasta, and other recipes. Spelt contains gluten and is often considered more nutrient-dense than many modern wheat varieties.

🤔 Why Might I Experience Differences with Spelt and Its Components?

Some individuals notice they feel different after consuming spelt. This may be influenced by the grain’s natural makeup, which includes:

• Gluten: Spelt naturally contains gluten, which some individuals choose to limit in their diet.

• Fructans: These naturally occurring carbohydrates can feel heavier for some people when digested.

• Lectins: Plant-based compounds found in spelt that may affect how certain individuals experience digestion.

• Phytic Acid: Present in the outer layers of spelt, this compound can influence nutrient absorption and overall digestion.

People who feel comfortable consuming other grains may do so because those grains contain different levels or types of these components.

🛠️ How People Tend to Approach Spelt Sensitivity

Those who find spelt challenging to include in their diet often make small adjustments to support balance, such as:

• Exploring Alternatives: Trying grains or flours such as rice, almond, quinoa, oat, or buckwheat.

• Observing Food Patterns: Keeping a food journal to notice how different foods feel after eating them.

• Rotating Ingredients: Incorporating a variety of grains to support a balanced and diverse diet.

• Choosing Certified Options: Selecting flours or grains with clear sourcing and minimal processing.

💊 Supportive General Supplements

For individuals who prefer to limit or avoid spelt, certain supplements are commonly explored to support overall balance and wellness:

• Turmeric (Curcumin): Recognized for its natural antioxidant and wellness-supporting properties.

• Ginger Extract: Often used to promote a sense of comfort after meals.

• Boswellia: Traditionally valued for maintaining internal balance.

• Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Found in fish oil or flaxseed, often associated with overall well-being.

• Probiotics: Support a balanced and healthy gut environment.

🤔 Why Spelt Might Feel Different Than Other Grains

Spelt can feel different from other grains due to its natural composition and structure:

• Gluten Type: The gluten in spelt differs from that in modern wheat and may be experienced differently.

• Fructans: Spelt contains these carbohydrates in higher amounts than some other grains.

• Lectins: Naturally present in varying levels across grains and legumes.

• Phytic Acid: More abundant in the outer layer of spelt compared to refined grains.

These characteristics make spelt distinct and may explain why individuals experience it differently from other grains.

🍴 Popular Dishes Involving Spelt

Spelt is commonly used in:

• Spelt Bread

• Spelt Pasta

• Spelt Muffins

• Spelt Pancakes

🥥 Alternatives to Spelt

For those who prefer to use other grains or flours, the following are often explored:

• Rice Flour

• Almond Flour

• Quinoa

• Oat Flour

• Buckwheat Flour