Today got off to a good start as I managed to break a personal record and spend less than $50 in Miles. Crammed full of tempting goodies, Miles is somewhat of a hazard – I challenge you to pop in for toilet roll and not buy anything else. However, after a recent shop which included spending $5.30 on a nectarine and $11 on two baby eggplants, I've had to relegate Miles to the emergencies only category.

Of course, if you follow this column you'll know that emergencies hit my world fairly regularly. So it was then, that I was back in Miles three days after relegating them. Yet this time I summoned up every ounce of self-discipline I could muster and bought precisely what I went in for. Amazing! Unfortunately, just as I began floating on a cloud of self-congratulation, someone asked me if I was pregnant.

Not altogether a bad question, but as I gave birth seven months ago, this was a little crushing. I thought there was an unwritten rule that women weren't allowed to ask the pregnancy question unless there was categorically no doubt regarding the answer. As I was hardly smuggling a watermelon and instead sporting a small so-that-granola-wasn't-wheat-free-after-all belly, I thought this question was fairly bold. Nevertheless, it did result in two things – a renewed effort to work-out and more vigilance when it comes to wheat!

I'm not exactly "allergic" to wheat but I do have an intolerance – the difference being that a medically defined allergy results in a particularly nasty reaction (which at its worst can be fatal) whereas an intolerance affects quality of life, without being life-threatening. Symptoms of food intolerance include eczema, asthma, colic in babies, skin problems, diarrhoea/constipation, stomach pains, bloating and behavioural problems. It is perhaps worth noting, that although not life-threatening per se, continued exposure to food you are intolerant to, can challenge and suppress your immune system.

Fortunately, there are an increasing number of fantastic wheat-free products on the market. You still have to exercise caution, as some manufacturers seem to use "wheat-free' as an excuse to dispose of old cardboard boxes and piles of sawdust. However the Tinkyada brown rice pasta pictured here is a member of the wheat-free elite.

Pasta is a common quick-fix at dinner time. Stir in a sauce and a source of protein and you're away! However, the problem is that many people find wheat-based pasta causes them to feel bloated and fatigued.

If this is the case for you, then try the Tinkyada range. It's fairly widely available in Bermuda – stocked by Market Place, Lindos and Supermart. It also comes in a huge variety of shapes including Brown Rice Little Dreams which are great for kids. Tinkyada pasta is made in a gluten-free (that includes wheat, barley, oats and rye) facility which is great for those who are Coeliac, and is the only version I have found that doesn't go mushy when cooked.

Whilst it does take 10-15 minutes to cook, there is a less intensive and an energy-saving method too. Simply add the pasta to boiling water, bring it back to the boil for two minutes – and then turn off the heat, cover and let the pasta stand for 12 to 20 minutes (depending on variety, see pack).

However you cook it, once it's done, this pasta takes just minutes to fix into a delicious dinner. If you fancy pasta without the bloat, then try Tinkyada pasta with tomato sauce (Scarpetta or Muir Glen are my favourites), artichokes and feta cheese. I always think that artichokes marinated in oil taste best, but drain them well and blot with kitchen towel if necessary. Feta cheese is much lower in saturated fat than other types, so you don't have to feel too guilty! Tip: after adding Tinkyada pasta to boiling water, always stir well to make sure the pieces have not stuck together. Adding a teaspoon of olive oil to the water can help prevent this.

The advice given in this article is not intended to replace medical advice, but to complement it. Always consult your GP if you have any health concerns. Catherine Burns is a fully qualified Nutritional Therapist. She can be contacted at clinicalnutrition@gmail.com