Is pearl barley a type of wheat? And what other grains are good to substitute for wheat?

[IlanaK]

I am going wheat free from monday. I saw a good recipe for pearl barley and roasted veg salad. But I am actually not sure if it is a type of wheat or not? What other grains are good for making salads with - I lovel couscous salads, but I know that is wheat.

Any tips please as going shopping tomorow!

[deleting]

you can get barley couscous fron sainsbury. pot barley (holland and barratt) is less processed than pearl barley and lower gi.

[deleting]

also what about quinoa salad instead of couscous

[Prunerz]

No barley is not wheat
Quinoa is lovely. I have yet to persuade my family, but I like it a lot. They get freaked out by the little curly tail.

[IlanaK]

Excellent about the barley couscous! I will be at Waitrose tomorow and look for it.

What do you do with the quinoa?

[moondog]

Quinoa
Rice
Corn
I make a lot of cornbread
Lentils (brown) good in a salad with vinaigrette and fetta and thinly sliced red onions.

Also consider beans-haricot, butter, soy ,aduki.

Why are you going wheat free?

[IlanaK]

I love lentils so lentil salad would be good (though not with fetta as I am dairy free too).

I am going wheat free to combat sever IBS. Hope for a little weight loss along the way too.

[deleting]

quinoa is sort of like cous cous in texture. you cook it for about 20 mins or so in water. it'll say on packet.

[moondog]

Staffordshire oatcakes are great too (Tesco do them now). Like a pancake only a bit more filling. My kids live off them as do I.

[IlanaK]

Excellent thank you.

What do you all do for lunches? I am so used to sandwhiches!

[moondog]

I don't not eat wheat but my favourite lunch is brown rice and salmon and soy beans in a dressing made from rice vinegar, wasabi, soy and sesame oil.

[IlanaK]

Thanks - sounds yummy. I think I need to eat more fish in general.

[moondog]

You can't beat a tin of sardines in a baked potato, with a salad of tomato, cucumber, red oinio and chilli and coriander.