Food that is labeled “wheat-free” sometimes contains Kamut as the primary replacement for wheat flour.
If you are allergic to wheat, can you eat it? Probably not.
If you have celiac, can you eat it? NO!
The origin of Kamut is shrouded in mystery. It was developed by a private company. According to Wikipedia, they originally claimed that it was developed from grain found in an ancient Egyptian tomb. Since wheat does not remain viable for longer than 200 years (unless frozen), the story fell apart, and it is now claimed to originate from a contemporary form of Egyptian wheat.
This would make it a kind of wheat.
Personally, I have not risked trying it. If you have a low sensitivity to wheat, and/or your symptoms are not too severe, you may decide it is worth the risk to experiment and see if it agrees with you. You are more than welcome to share your experiences in the comments form below this post.
Kamut does have gluten in it so it is not suitable for celiacs.
So when food is labeled as “wheat-free” or “gluten-free”, always double check!
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Kamut grain
As a Montanan (where Kamut grain is grown) I have to comment on the above post! The grain was not “developed” by a private company. The grain is in it’s original, natural form when given to a man in Fort Benton, MT in the 1940’s. He was told it was from a tomb by the man selling it, so the story stuck for a while until Bob Quinn went back to Egypt to try and figure out the “real” story. It is NOT from a tomb, it IS wheat and it DOES contain gluten. Some farmers in the Fertile Crescent region were still growing it on small family plots, but it doesn’t yield very high and is not great for mass producing. Almost ALL other wheat has been modified and bred to give higher yields. Kamut grain also used to grow well over there in ancient times before the Nile river was damned up.
That being said, hundreds of people contact Kamut International (the company that promotes and protects the grain) to say they can eat it. Either they are misdiagnosed, or there is something different about Kamut grain. The company is having research done to better understand the properties of Kamut grain. “Kamut” is actually a trademarked name to sell this certain type of wheat that is always organically grown, un-hybridized, high in protein, and many other qualities. Go to their website at http://www.kamut.com to understand more. Hope that helps, there is a TON of misinformation out there about it!
kamut and wheat intolerance
I was told to avoid wheat apparently I am intolerant to it, I have had a number of friends around the same age all diagnosed with the same thing by doctors and naturopaths. However I can tolerate kamut and spelt,
the wheat grown now has been modified for more profit not in the interest of peoples health. If you are gluten intolerant or celiac then you can not have kamut.
Kamut
I have recently developed a wheat allergy which I am still being tested for and although I find I am able to eat Spelt, Kamut has proven to be a real no no! My body and face develop Urticaria and Angioedema which is itchy and painful and despite being on antihistimines and steroids as soon as I eat anything with Wheat or Kamut the symptoms develop very quickly. I wish I had researched Kamut before taking the chance and eating it, I am now suffering the consequences and havent left the house for a week because my face looks so destorted!
My husband who has Celiac disease, inadvertently had kamut pasta.
Two hours later, he was quite ill for 5 hours with the typical symptoms of the gluten-intolerant celiac – (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, sweating & chills). Kamut (and spelt) is not gluten-free!
Sorry your husband had to go through that.
Good cautionary tail for anyone who still wasn’t sure!
Shoot! I have been eating this! Thanks for the article. Not sure that I can blame this as the absolute culprit but I have been sick for sure.
Hello… I am allergic to wheat, but not gluten.
(I have irritable bowel syndrome, as well) I can eat both spelt and kamut, but I find the kamut to be ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL on my system!!
Lucky you, Susan!
Some people with a wheat allergy can eat spelt and kamut. The majority of people who can’t eat wheat are celiac and must avoid gluten and therefor spelt and kamut. Glad you have more latitude.