My son is 3 years old. Until he was just over 2, he never and I really do mean never had a formed stool and had lots of diahrea. I had spoken with his doctor about it, but he said children are all different and there is no "normal". Don't get me wrong, his doctor is my doctor and typically we have a great relationship. However, this was something I did not agree with him on. He did do a test for celiac on my request, but this turned up nothing (thank goodness!!). My Dad and my son's Dad both are lactose intolerant, so I tried replacing everything with soy, goat, rice milks, etc. This did not seam to have any effect. I even cut out some things that I thought might have trace amounts that he would eat on rare occasions. Nothing!!
After much research online and everything pointing to wheat or dairy problems (which we had already figured out were NOT the problem), I decided to do a food sensitivity test on my son. WOW!! This was wonderful. Now I had something to start with. When you get a food sensitivity test, they list things as different categories. Basically foods that don't cause a problem, might cause a problem so watch out for problems, foods to avoid, and foods to really avoid. (This obviously is not the way they are listed, but kind of a good way to look at it.)
The one item that was on the definitely avoid list was Oysters. Well, I thought, not a problem. I never eat them anyway. (Interestingly enough, all other shellfish is fine, no problems.) However, when doing additional research by looking through my cupboards, low and behold, I find oyster sauce. Well--one of my friends got to add that to their cupboard!!
Next comes the "foods to avoid". This is the list that has caused the problems, but also contained the solution to our bowel problems!! The first thing listed, was Mushrooms. Now, typically for a 2 year old, that should not be an issue. However, I love mushrooms and put them in everything including scrambled eggs!! (mmmmm....eggs, mushrooms, green peppers, onions, ham and cheese.....sooooo yummy!!) Also, since my son was about a year old, he would eat what I ate, and I discovered he loved mushrooms as well. Whenever he saw them in a dish, he would pick them out and eat them first!! So I decided that we needed to stop putting the mushrooms in things since he liked them so much. But, the big item was Malt. Huh??? Yes, I said Malt. Now, try doing a little searching on the internet for Malt sensitivity, how to avoid Malt, etc and you will find results like "did you mean SALT?", celiac info, etc. How was it possible that there is not ANY information on this? So, I decided after much learning that I would start this blog as a source of information for people on Malt sensitivities.
Once we took the Malt out of my son's diet, we started getting "normal" bowel movements. If he accidentally got something with malt in it, the diarhea returned. For example...one day, we stopped at Wendy's and got a Frosty for desert. I used to LOVE them when I was a kid and since Brennan had never had them and LOVES chocolate, I thought I would get one for him. Boy...were we in for a treat! Actually, I didn't realize until we were driving down the road with my friend, Brennan in his car seat and me in the passenger seat totally enjoying our treats that a light bulb in my head turned on! Oh sh*t! This has Malt in it!! It had been so long since I had one that I completely forgot. Well, I couldn't exactly just take this wonderful chocolate ice cream treat away from a 2 1/2 year old, so I figured we would just live with it, but avoid it in the future.
There are so many items out there that have Malt in them. I will be posting list of OK foods/Foods to Avoid at different restaurants as well as other lists (cereals, breads, etc.). If you would like me to research a specific category or restaurant menu, let me know and I can see what I can find. Believe me, reading ingredient lists is something I have become a pro at and it takes me very little time to find the malt in items now!!
If this is something that you are dealing with, please let me know. I have had a very difficult time finding information, so I am doing all of the research on my own.
Stacey
I get an incredible panful stomach pain after eating shreddies! Yes, the breakfast cereal! It happens at school at about lunch time - mid afternoon, and will not go until I eat more proper food. It's odd, it feels like acid in my stomach! :O
ReplyDeleteAlso, I think I may have MS, so I'm panicking. That's why I'm not making any sense.
I recently did a food sensitivity test and malt is at the top of my list as well. It actually makes sense though because I would have reactions every time I had beer battered fish with malt vinegar. I'm only 30 days into my diet changes (I also have to avoid wheat, barley, gluten, eggs, dairy, etc...fun times).
ReplyDeleteStacey, could you email me a list of things that have malt in them that you for surely know off the top of your head, like if you were me shopping for groceries. I recieved my food sensitity test result back today and not only am i severely sensitive to gluten, but also highly sensitive to MALT. My email is Ludwigoxox@comcast.net ANY list you have will be a great help here as im just beginning to look for the right foods.
ReplyDeleteLaurie
i am so happy to find this, i have been in agony since eating them today.... please help
ReplyDeleteI am very happy to find this blog. I am highly allergic to malt and just found out about it a few days ago. I, too, would like a list of things that have malt in it. And would like to know if malt is always on the ingredients list or if it is something like yeast is to vinegar---not on any in vinegar ingredient list, but used in making it. Susan
ReplyDeleteI too need to avoid malt, as well as gluten, eggs, milk, banana, barley and baker's yeast! Any tips on what NOT to eat would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Donna
ReplyDeleteDear Stacey, my daughter's bowel situation is just the same as your son's was. We just received her food intolerance test results back and malt is one of the offenders. Could you please email me the list of foods to avoid? I would greatly appreciate it. Many thanks for posting this and kindest regards. Tamara - tsemb01@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteThanks for your blog! Just found out I need to avoid Malt and trying to learn about it.
ReplyDeleteI would love a list as well. Everything seems to have malt in it! Latenightrain @ hotmail dot com
ReplyDeleteI just found out I had malt allergies and have had the problems your son had for over 10 years and they just said it was irritable bowel syndrome. I would love to see a list and get started eliminating malt from my diet. Your blog has been very helpful. Thanks
ReplyDeleteInteresting Kimber, I seem to have the same issues as you. 10+ years of being told its IBS, Now I just got a letter saying Malt allergy too. At least there is hope. Is any body finding any good info on foods with or without malt?
DeleteJesse, I noticed you said you just got a letter. Does that mean there is a test for malt allergy? I would love to know what to ask for.
DeleteHello, thank you for this useful information, I just found out I have a malt allergy and was wondering if you could email me a list of foods to avoid. soldoutt2@yahoo.com Also I don't know how to read labels, but I was wondering if you know what alcohol is malt free, ( I know hard cider is, but that is about it) Also, good luck with your son! :)
ReplyDeleteI am a bit confused on the alcohol thing too. However I found that gluten free beer is not malt free. I saw on the new grist site that it is made with rice and sorghum malt. I would also like input on what to look out for. Do I need to put my email address up or can some one just post it?
DeleteI just wanted to share my lifes Do's and Do Not's when it comes to Malt.
ReplyDeleteI am 40 years old. I have had a malt issue my whole life and just did not know it. About 15 years ago I remember eating a box of malt balls (a candy) and feeling really sick afterwards and deciding to never eat those again. But at the time, I could drink any beer I wanted. Until the past 5 years I seemed to do fine with most foods. I was allergy tested about 1 year ago and the only two things I am allergic to is malt and hops (lifes cruel joke). I can currently drink filtered beers such as bud light but I have major issues if I drink 1 Sam Adams, Blue moon or Hard mikes. If I drink 1 (12oz) Blue Moon then whole next day I am in bed with flu like symptoms. If I drink 6 (12oz) bud lights then then next day I seem ok. I dont feel well but can’t tell if it is because I drank too much or if it is malt or hops related. Just recently, I have decided to only drink hard ciders (not Redds, I called them and they sayed they do have malt since they are a beer, ale). I don’t enjoy wine or hard alcohol drinks (except Irish cream and Kahlua). I can eat many flours products and be fine. However I noticed whenever I eat certain bagels (maybe all bagels, I need to go read ingredients at the store) I do not feel well. I even told my wife that bagels make me feel sick. I just went to the cupboard and read the ingredients and sure enough there is malted barley in them. I was skin tested for wheat and 140 other items and i have no allergies to anything else. I seem to do OK unless the ingredients contain the word Malt. I found a list on another website and here is what it says about MALT:
Malt - Unsafe (assume barley unless stated otherwise)
Malted barley (or corn, etc) - Unsafe if barley, Safe if corn or rice
Malt Flavoring - Unsafe (assume barley unless stated otherwise)
Malt Extract - Unsafe (assume barley unless stated otherwise)
Malt Vinegar - Unsafe
Maltodextrin - Safe, regardless of source
Maltose - A sugar - Safe
Malt Syrup - Unsafe (assume barley unless stated otherwise)
Ethyl Maltitol - A synthetic, gluten-free flavoring agent, also known as Maltitol
Isomalt - Safe - A sugar replacement made from beets
Hydrogenated isomaltitol - Safe - see Ethyl Maltitol above
Isomaltitol Maltitol - Safe - see Ethyl Maltitol above
Maltol - Safe - A synthetic, gluten-free flavoring agent, similar to Maltitol
Malt Sugar - Another name for maltose, a safe ingredient
over 40 years I've found that maltodextrin is as bad as barley malt.
Delete"Yeast Extract" is often made from malted barley.
DeleteI have finally figured out malt in any form is the main trigger for migraines I have had for 2 years. So glad I finally know this!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for creating this post! I found out a few months ago that I have a high allergy to malt BUT still unclear on what has malt. Gluten Free cereals are malt free, correct?
ReplyDeleteHi, thank you so much for your wisdom on this. I recently found out I have a high intolerance to malt. I would love some advice on what to avoid. If you have an ongoing list of products could you send them to me? My email is kmmullane@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteThank you in advance for your willingness to share knowledge!
Hi, I was diagnosed maltose intolerant within the past few days. So I'm still quite new and confused to this new diet. If you have a list would you mind emailing me a copy. (Abbiedockey@gmail.com) I would appreciate anything and everything you have. Please and thank you in advance.
ReplyDeleteHi Stacey, my 6 yr old son was also diagnosed with severe sensitivity to Malt. His behavioral is being affected by this. I cannot find a lot of information about this. Please send me any additional information to pattyvflood@gmail.com.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much.
Hi!! I would also like additional info including the foods list. Please email sarahrussell2480@gmail.com. I am currently reading The Extraordinary Power to Heal and it is so good!!
ReplyDeleteGreetings, my fellow malt-free friends. I'm 46 and newly diagnosed after being tested for everything under the sun. Malt. Wow. I ended up in the doctor's office with face swelling and mouth tingling. I've been on prednisone off and on for six weeks. Personally I'd prefer flu like symptoms to the swelling. My allergist told me to avoid malt which is harder than I thought. Even tea seems to set me off. A list of safe foods sent to mamawa11csw@gmail.com would be greatly appreciated. I'm sick of chicken and salad. Good luck, all!
ReplyDeleteGreetings, my fellow malt-free friends. I'm 46 and newly diagnosed after being tested for everything under the sun. Malt. Wow. I ended up in the doctor's office with face swelling and mouth tingling. I've been on prednisone off and on for six weeks. Personally I'd prefer flu like symptoms to the swelling. My allergist told me to avoid malt which is harder than I thought. Even tea seems to set me off. A list of safe foods sent to mamawa11csw@gmail.com would be greatly appreciated. I'm sick of chicken and salad. Good luck, all!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHi, can I have your email id? I think I have similar allergy, but I am not able to diagnose it properly. I want to share a few things with you in person instead of writing on a social platform. Please let me know if you are ok to share your email id.
ReplyDeleteThank you
Binisha
I have struggled with this puzzle for 30+ years. I am pretty good at identifying culprits, but it took me awhile to realize that brown rice syrup is loaded with malt! It is used in lots of energy bars as a sweetener.
ReplyDeleteHi, I just found out a couple days ago that I have a severe sensitivity to malt which has been cashing many problems. The internet hasn't been much help in telling me how to change my diet so a list of foods to avoid would be much appreciated. My email is dasalegna@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteI was diagnosed as being malt sensitive last year and have just recently realized that this allergy is causing most of my sinus problems. I have recently cut out bread because I know that most of them contain malt. If you could email me a list of your findings that would be awesome! Thanks so much! jessicarhobbs@bellsouth.net
ReplyDeletePlease send me your list of safe and unsafe foods please. rlinnlindsey@gmail.con
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! Robin
Please send me your list of safe and unsafe foods. I have recently been diagnosed with a malt allergy. hinkleqh@cvalley.net. thanks
ReplyDeletemy husband just found out he has a malt allergy. Any help finding more foods that he can eat and any beers...i know long shot but thought I would ask would be such a great help. We are starting to learn as much as we can now. Thank you in advance. Judythayer11@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI never had food allergies growing up, and as an adult pretty much ate what I wanted. In my 40's, I started experiencing the symptoms that others have described in this blog, and it was a real challenge tracking down the culprit. It was after the 2nd or 3rd episode of eating my favorite movie candy - Malted Milk Balls, that I made the connection. Unfortunately, more bakeries are using malted barley in their bread products. A majority of the dough at Costco contains malted barley, from chicken pot pies to pizza.
ReplyDeleteI've narrowed down the prime offenders in grocery items, but if anyone has a list of restaurants - namely sandwich and sub places - that use malt in their breads, I would love to have it. Subway seems safe for now. I would also welcome your list of safe and unsafe foods. randy@randesignmedia.com Thank you.
I'm not sure if you check this anymore but in hopes that you do, I just found that I am highly sensitive to malt as well. Would you be able to send me the safe/unsafe list you've come up with? Thank you so much.
ReplyDeletewolff_shawna@hotmail.com
Hi there. I'm not sure if you check this anymore but if you wouldn't mind sending me your list of safe and unsafe foods, I have recently been diagnosed with a malt allergy. My email is dressyp@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteThank you!!
Can you please send me the food list as well? ever_long_foo@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteCan you please send the info to me as well please. I need all the information I can find, thanks.
ReplyDeletelorimcintee@hotmail.com
Dr told ne today i test at severe level. Could I have info also. raygotte@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI am keeping a food chart to try to identify what could be contributing to diahrrea. I too didn't feel well after eating malted milk balls - a favorite from childhood. I would appreciate any references - food list, restaurants, etc. My email is hearttreas@aol.com
ReplyDeleteIs this still being monitored?
ReplyDeleteI've been dealing with food allergies my entire life, which only gets worse with age. However, I was 'officially' diagnosed a few years ago with a malt allergy. Up until then, my symptoms were chalked up as "IBS"- basically a diagnoses for "something's wrong but I can't figure it out."
My allergist wasn't 100% sure what a malt allergy entailed, so I was left to do my own research. Much of this involves trial and error.
I've concluded the following:
- If you're looking to stay completely malt free, you need to eat CLEAN. This means the less ingredients the better and you need to know exactly what is in your food- no guessing.
- Due to the way our food is made nowadays, about 80%+ of things in the grocery store, gas stations, restaurants, etc. are going to be off limits. This is because of the extensive ingredient list of items being malted as a flavor enhancer. The primary culprits are Natural and Artificial Flavoring or anything with the term 'syrup', 'extract', etc.
- The more you cut out the allergen the worse your symptoms will get.
- My list has become so long, it's overwhelming. Instead of making a "don't" list, make a "yes" list. Base this off your own reactions and research. Everyone's body is different.
-The safest way to begin this list is rule #1 - if it has the word 'malt' in it, it's a no REGARDLESS of what you read. This means maltodextrin... Each some plain potato chips, you'll survive.
- Don't be shy. Be prepared to make phone calls to production companies or asking in person the exact process of how a product is made. This especially goes with alcohol. For example, some vodkas, tequilas, etc. are malted and some aren't. This depends on the company and most don't post their process on the internet. If your town has local distilleries, it's best to stick with them!
This is everything off the top of my head... If you have more information or want to discuss, please send me an email.
Also, I've noticed there are no Facebook groups for this sort of thing... Send me an email if you'd be interest in joining a group. If I get enough interest, I will create one. I think it would be a great tool!
amanda.maltfree@gmail.com
My daughter was just diagnosed with a malt and barely allergies. I woukd love some info on how others handled it.
ReplyDeleteCan someone pls email me the list of foods that are okay to eat for malt allergy
ReplyDeleteGurneet9@gmail.com
I know that it's been over ten years since this blog post but I have a sensitivity to Malted Barley Flour and possibly other malt sources as well. I also have a problem when getting too much MSG in a meal. I can tolerate small amounts just fine and probably have it daily but there is a tipping point and I really don't know where that is. Malt is listed in food ingredients whenever it is used as far as I can tell but MSG, being made in a "Natural Process" is listed in many ways and seldom as MSG. I tell my friends that these give me migraines if they ask but the truth is since I have Bipolar disorder, this stuff causes really extreme mood swings in me to the point that I am unsafe to drive and need to avoid being around people. I would never physically harm anyone but I become a real pain in the butt and I am ashamed of that.
ReplyDeleteIn any case, I need to have such a test done to see if I can verify this for my self.
I have a sensitivity to malt, it dries my mouth up, and it feels like my saliva binds with the malt instead of aiding in digestion. Also, does Powerade have malt like ingredients in it, because I swear I just taste the powder in those drinks and the liquid has little effect.
ReplyDeleteMalt makes my throat swell up. Also, for sufferers in the US, avoid anything that claims to be "enriched". Breakfast cereals, flours, drink powders, etc.
ReplyDelete