Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×
  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.




  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):



    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):


  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Fast Food Resturants


NikkiLynn

Recommended Posts

NikkiLynn Newbie

I am a college student who really doesn't have the time to cook a gluten free meal everytime its time to eat. I was wondering if any of you know what items at fast food resturants are safe or any meals that I could make in a time fix? And if anyone knows any tips on good gluten-free breakfast foods I would greatly appreiciate it.


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



Guest schmenge

McDonald's posts a list of gluten-free items Open Original Shared Link. There is an ongoing thread on this board regarding Chipotle. Wendy's is Open Original Shared Link

Generally speaking no fruits, vegetables or meats have gluten unless you add something to them, so you should have lots of choices for preparing things on your own.

WGibs Apprentice

I never eat in fast food restaurants, but I like quick and easy for my work lunches. When I'm strapped for time and even making a salad sounds too hard, I really like Thai Kitchen instant meals. I think of it as ramen for the gluten-intolerant. They use rice noodles, and you can get soups or things like pad thai. Do read the labels, though, because they aren't all gluten-free. The ones that are clearly say so under the ingredients.

I remember eating boxed Annie's mac&cheese in college (or worse brands too). Well Annie's makes a version with rice pasta. Annie's also makes some frozen meals that are gluten-free, but I've never tried them, so I can't recommend.

Other ideas (thinking back to the way I ate in college): apples or rice cakes with peanut butter, Lara bars, Bumble bars, gluten-free cold cereal, cream of rice cereal, cheese and gluten-free crackers, yogurt...

I hope this helps!

happygirl Collaborator

some Amy's brand frozen foods are gluten free!

capawa Rookie
I never eat in fast food restaurants, but I like quick and easy for my work lunches. When I'm strapped for time and even making a salad sounds too hard, I really like Thai Kitchen instant meals. I think of it as ramen for the gluten-intolerant. They use rice noodles, and you can get soups or things like pad thai. Do read the labels, though, because they aren't all gluten-free. The ones that are clearly say so under the ingredients.

I remember eating boxed Annie's mac&cheese in college (or worse brands too). Well Annie's makes a version with rice pasta. Annie's also makes some frozen meals that are gluten-free, but I've never tried them, so I can't recommend.

Other ideas (thinking back to the way I ate in college): apples or rice cakes with peanut butter, Lara bars, Bumble bars, gluten-free cold cereal, cream of rice cereal, cheese and gluten-free crackers, yogurt...

I hope this helps!

WGibs Apprentice

Oops, sorry...Yes, LauraJ is right -- Annie's is the boxed mac & cheese, whereas Amy is the lovely lady who makes frozen items. Can't blame this one on brain fog -- just general ditziness!

I have tried Amy's rice crust pizza, but found it to be pretty mediocre. Only something I'd get if I wanted to join in for a pizza night and not feel left out. It could probably be doctored up nicely with more toppings, though. I actually liked the crust fine.

jkmunchkin Rising Star

As people have said McDonald's has a few items, Wendy's, Chipotle has a lot of options, Taco Bell may have one or two.

I know when I was in college I ate a lot of Mac n' Cheese. I'm partial to the Kraft Mac n' Cheese. A great solution that is still easy for you to do with minimal cooking. Just buy the Tinkyada pasta elbows (or whichever pasta brand you prefer), then you can take the cheese packet from the Kraft Mac n' Cheese (let someone else enjoy the noodles) and make it the same way you would have made it if you were using their noodles. You will never know the difference.

And ofcourse gluten-free pasta with sauce is always easy to make.

Also, Amy's frozen meals are good to keep if you have a freezer.

I like the Glutino sesame seed bagels toasted with some peanut butter or cream cheese. Makes a good breakfast or snack. (It's not exactly a NY bagel but beggars can't be choosers).

Some of my favorite cereals are Fruity Pebbles (just about the only "normal" cereal that is gluten-free), Nature's Path Honey'd Flakes and Amazon Flakes.

And I know you're trying to do minimal cooking but you can make your own chili in about 15 minutes and put it in tupperware for a few days worth of meals. I just take chop meat (or turkey meat) - Brown it, drain the fat. Then add a can of kidney beans, 2 - 8 oz. cans of tomato sauce, and a packet of McCormick Taco Seasoning (chili seasoning is not gluten-free, but youI can't even tell the difference with the taco seasoning). Bring to a boil and let simmer for 10 minutes. I like to eat it with Fritos Scoops.

Hope this helps.


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



princessfuzzball Rookie
McDonald's posts a list of gluten-free items Open Original Shared Link. There is an ongoing thread on this board regarding Chipotle. Wendy's is Open Original Shared Link

Generally speaking no fruits, vegetables or meats have gluten unless you add something to them, so you should have lots of choices for preparing things on your own.

I don't believe that McDonald's says their fries are gluten free... don't they fry thier breaded chicken?????Crosscontamination?

VydorScope Proficient
I don't believe that McDonald's says their fries are gluten free... don't they fry thier breaded chicken?????Crosscontamination?

Yes. HUGE chance for it, and many many ppl on this board have complained of it. Thier "offical" policy is dedicated fryers for fries, but since every store is indviually owned and operated, and most of their staf is kids. So if you want to risk it make sure you talk to them extensively befor ordering and make sure thier fryer is clean and all that.

My advice? Skip fried foods while away from home, reguardless of the source. :)

hlm34 Apprentice

I used to work at mcdonalds corporate (a long time ago) and they are very very strict about their fries. Probably more that than anything else. They take great pains to make sure that the fries are only fried in clean grease. Regardless of if its a franchise or not, they are extremely uptight about it. I would say that the cross contamination might come from one of the employees touching a bun and then touching your fries when they put them in the bag. I always watch the employees very carefully and have never had problems with the fries there. it is one of the few foods that i make me feel normal when i am running through an airport or coming home late from work. with every fast food place there is risk of cross contamination for sure - chipotle, wendy's and mcdonalds. Luckily, i have not had a problem with mcdonalds fries yet.

VydorScope Proficient
I used to work at mcdonalds corporate (a long time ago) and they are very very strict about their fries. Probably more that than anything else. They take great pains to make sure that the fries are only fried in clean grease. Regardless of if its a franchise or not, they are extremely uptight about it. I would say that the cross contamination might come from one of the employees touching a bun and then touching your fries when they put them in the bag. I always watch the employees very carefully and have never had problems with the fries there. it is one of the few foods that i make me feel normal when i am running through an airport or coming home late from work. with every fast food place there is risk of cross contamination for sure - chipotle, wendy's and mcdonalds. Luckily, i have not had a problem with mcdonalds fries yet.

Thats great in theroy, and we have been told that... but the reality is that I personaly have never NOT gotten glutened by McDonalds fries, and many others share the same story.

As I said, above...if YOU want to risk it, you realy need to check your location closy, and talk to the staff at the location.

and my advice wiill always be Skip fried foods while away from home, reguardless of the source. :)

GlutenFreeAl Contributor

Amy's soups are quick and easy and taste almost as good as homemade. And many say gluten free right on the back!

When I make things myself like pasta or soup or stir fry, I always make extra to get 2 or 3 meals out of it.

It's tough being a college student and not having time to cook, but most convenience foods are pretty bad for you!

Good luck and happy eating! :)

Susan123 Rookie

I eat Fast food a lot and it is hard to find things. Wendys seems to have the most options: I usually get a spring mix salad with honey mustard dressing, baked potato, fries, chili etc. For Mc Donalds I only eat breakfast there- Big breakfast is gluten-free minus the biscuit. Chick Fila has items too but I don't prefer them. Each website has a list- just go under nutritional info and look for allergies.

hlm34 Apprentice

I agree that skipping fried foods is best, but sometimes its just not possible. I travel a lot for work. The other day i was in the airport and only had an hour to find food and was out of my snacks in my purse. It was 4pm and i hadnt eaten anything all day, and i was starving. i wanted something hot, mcdonalds fries were there and good and i didnt have any problems. thank goodness.

tasha Apprentice

Hey,

I'm also a university student so hopefully I can help. I often make all my meals first thing in the morning to take to school with me (and leave them in my boyfriend's fridge), so they need to be fast!

My toaster is my best friend. I eat tons of Kinnikinnik honey brown rice bread with pb and honey. Almond butter's good too. I also use that bread for sandwiches, its yummy...and sandwiches should only take a few minutes to make. Rice cakes and peanut butter is also a pretty obvious one. So for lunch I usually have toast, sandwich or rice cakes with an apple/orange and carrot sticks if I have the time to cut them. You can have crackers and cheese instead of a sandwich (I use Hol Grain plain brown rice crackers ...disgusting by themselves but surprisingly good with some marble cheese!). I eat brown rice tortillas with hummus, red pepper, red onion and lettuce. Kraft brand pudding can be another snack.

For dinner, I often have the Kinnikinnik english muffins which i cut in half and toast and then put a mixture of tuna, salsa, and red pepper on top...put it in the oven for a few minutes, sprinkle some grated cheese on top and put it back for a minute more...its so good!

In general, I eat a lot of Amy's soups and Imagine Organic soups. Lots of Thai kitchen noodle boxes, which are really fast (its white rice though so I try not to eat it too much). I make the Thai kitchen rice mixes a lot, they only take 20 minutes (when you want to actually 'cook'). As for Amy's Rice Crust pizza, I take a minute to cut up some red peppers, mushrooms, red onion, and Freybe cold cut turkey breast which makes it more satisfying while still a quick dinner. Amy's frozen Black Bean Enchilada whole meal is great and very fast but a bit expensive. Its always easy to make some spaghetti with premade sauce (I use classico) and cut up some veggies while its cooking. I don't bother to cook those.

For breakfast, cereal is fast and healthy. It's all I eat except for a rare weekend. The Nature's Path gluten-free cereals are good, Glutino apple cinnamon 'cheerios' and honey nut 'cheerios', EnerG granola (so good! But I can't find it anymore :( ). I throw some frozen blueberries right on the cereal and mix it in with the milk... then make lunch, by the time you're done, breakfast is ready. I eat banana on the way to school. There are some good gluten-free frozen waffle brands too. You can make smoothies with milk, yogurt, blueberries and frozen banana. You can cut a grapefruit in half for breakfast and save the rest for the next day.

I really never eat out, when I'm starving at school it is usually because I didn't pack enough food so I'm forced to eat something out of a vending machine (usually reeses pb cups or snickers). I think the more you eat out, the more of a chance you are hurting yourself with all those opportunities for cross contamination. Unfortunately I think its the best way to go. I sure miss subway. I hope this helps a bit, I know its such a pain to cook <_<

Felidae Enthusiast

The only gluten-free food at my university are New York Fries. What a pain. I am always hungry so I bring a pack full of food with me. Tortilla chips and some sort of dip, gluten-free breakfast bars, homemade trail mix, dried fruit, juice, energy bars, and crackers. It's difficult but you have to just plan ahead.

key Contributor

Taco Bell's Tostada is gluten free. THey didn't have them for awhile, but I have been ordering them. THere beans and cheese are gluten-free. I asked the lady to check the ingredients on the corn shell for the tostada and it didn't have wheat. Anyway, I have been thrilled to be able to eat them. I missed them before I found out I had celiac. ANyway, they haven't made me sick, but I guess if you are ultra sensitive there is always a risk of cross contamination, especially handling of other flour tortillas and beans being added on them.

I also eat baked potatoes at a restaurant called McAllister's (I am in TENnessee)which is in between a fast food and sit down. They have great sweet tea too.

Monica

jknnej Collaborator

I love McDonalds fries and their McFlurry with M&M's. I've never gotten sick from either. it's cool, when they mix the McFlurry the spoon goes into the machine and turns it, so there's no risk for cross contamination. I always ask if they have a dedicated fryer and so far, so good.

jaten Enthusiast
I also eat baked potatoes at a restaurant called McAllister's (I am in TENnessee)which is in between a fast food and sit down. They have great sweet tea too.

Monica

Monica, which of the McAllister's potatoes can you eat? The original McAllister's is here in my hometown :) I used to love them.

I have only been there once since dx, and then I just ordered the plain baked potato. I think you may have just added a few more rays of sunshine to my ever-brightening world.

TCA Contributor

I'm a mom of 2 so time is limited. I keep these PB cookies made that are filling and can be grabbed in a tight:

1 c. Peanut Butter

1 egg

1 c. sugar ( I substitute 1/4 c. sugar and 3/4 c. splenda since my husband is daibetic and it works great)

mix, roll into balls and press out on cookie sheet. Bake 10-12 mins at 375. I make 4 batches at once and am set for about 10 days. They're delicious and EASY and protable. I remember how tough college was time wise and wish you luck.

Good luck.

mytummyhurts Contributor

I eat Amy's frozen mac and cheese all the time. (I don't like to cook.) And I first I didn't really like them, but I kept eating them and now I do. Although, some people have been glutened by Amy's frozen foods because they are processed in a facility that does things with wheat. I'm not very sensitive, so I haven't noticed anything. I also eat the pizza, I add pepperoni to it once it's almost done cooking. It's not that great, but better than no pizza at all. :lol:

I eat at McDonald's. Cheeseburgers with no buns and the fries. I haven't had any problems, but, like I said before I'm not very sensitive.

I also eat the Taco Supremo Salad at Wendy's.

Idahogirl Apprentice

If you have a Q'Doba in the area, they have a gluten free menu. You can order any of the burritos without the flour tortilla, and ask for a white corn tortilla on the side, and make your own burritos! Or you can get tacos with the corn tortilla, but this is very messy! Plus they can't fit all of the stuff they put in burritos in there. Taco Bell's website has some suggestions for a gluten free diet, and the one I get all the time (besides the tostada-yum!) is the Zesty chicken bowl minus the red strips and no zesty sauce. Not sure about the sour cream-I've been ordering it with it, but it just ocurred to me that I'm not sure if that's gluten free. Dairy Queen has quite a lot of blizzards that are safe, but they need to rinse off the thing that blends them.

I've also eaten McDonald's fries a lot, and never had a problem. Red Robin and Chili's are also places that cater to gluten free diets. I ate at Chili's the other day and got the bacon cheeseburger, and they gave me leafy lettuce to wrap it in-couldn't have the fries, but the loaded mashed potatoes (with bacon and cheese mashed in) were delicious!

Wow--I am making myself hungry!!

Lisa

hlm34 Apprentice

yes! i went to red robin with my mother and the waitress told me that they only fry their fries in their own grease. i made her promise me that it was true and she promised. i ordered some and didnt have any problems. They were so good! I love fries - so mcdonalds and red robin save me!

happygirl Collaborator

mmmm that sounds great!!!

TCA Contributor

I've found some gluten free prepackaged chicken fingers at Publix. Breadless Coating is the brand name. They're pretty good, but expensive. They're advertised as Low Carb, but also say gluten free in smaller print.

I also found that Delimex taquitos are gluten-free. They're a cheap and pretty good too. I bought some at Walmart.

Both are quick fixes that might help you out.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Donate

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):





    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):




  • Recent Activity

    1. - nanny marley replied to SoBannaz's topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      4

      Family that thinks “it’s all in your head.”

    2. - nanny marley replied to Jsingh's topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      3

      Contaminated cooking oils

    3. - nanny marley replied to Woodster991's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      6

      Is it gluten?

    4. - Wheatwacked replied to Woodster991's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      6

      Is it gluten?

    5. - Wheatwacked replied to Woodster991's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      6

      Is it gluten?


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      126,583
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    Remmy S
    Newest Member
    Remmy S
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      120.9k
    • Total Posts
      69.5k

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • nanny marley
      Oh yes same here I've been called a weirdo and health aniexty nut even at first my own daughter's were making fun of me but now they have seen the results there's too doing the gluten and lactose free has they both now older have realised they have problems too and threw me ranting on and changing it's helped them to stop suffering early so you keep doing what your doing a true friend will always understand you and help you I couldn't dream of making someone eat something they can't my granddaughter has a bit allergy imagine he saying it's just a nut build your immunity people can be so self centred wen it comes to compromise around food your not crazy your a human being with a different need hold your head up for all the ones in the same boat and you look after yourself regardless of wat anyone says or thinks  a good saying I like the rainbow has many different colours that's why it's so beautiful so shine your colour 🤗
    • nanny marley
      Could you not try to cut oil out and use a alternative method ? Is there really any health benefits for oil ? If it has caused do much did discomfort for your little one I'd be inclined to source a different way my granddaughter has a nut allergy it's been a roller coaster ride but we cut whatever was causing issues out and found a alternative and she's been fine 🤗
    • nanny marley
      I too have blood tests booked a Wilson and was told it's ok that I've been gluten free since for over 6 months they have also put  me in for a fecal test for calprotein and a milk allergy has I had to  stop lactose too and a IBS blood test I didn't even know you could test for IBS ? I'm going Tuesday but since reading on here I'm thinking now why bother I've been suffering for that long has I can remember I've reached out to docters since I was in my 20s im now Immy 50s was told IBS and health aniexty was my problem what prompted me to go back again this time was the long list of problems I've also had which they also know about but never said any were connected I've had bad bouts that put me in bed for days I cut carbs out years ago and saw a difference but uneducated just thout see it must be a better way of eating didn't realise it was actually showing me to cut gluten out I've been back and forth to docters that much they have put me down has I have health aniexty causing it in a nut shell it's in my head yet over the years I've had sickness medication scans over my kidneys my liver my tummy for the pain flu like symptoms were put down to my bad rhinitis hair shredding was put down to stress vitamin d deficiency put down to food my 3 herniated discs degenerative and slight sclorocis believe it or not was my posture achy legs syndrome and bad blood circulation to my low mobility threw my back I can go on and on what they tryed to tell me I got that bad i realised it's maybe more than IBS and yes I do suffer aniexty but the way they have made me feel like it's all in my head is time to stop because cutting out gluten and lactose had been the best thing I have done I only went back because I was a little worried after struggling for so long if I had damaged my bowel i just hoped I would get help threw tests sorry for long post but you are not alone with the worry of the test results but if you know yourself then you be your docter and help yourself too but always push for help if   you have abdominal pain it could be other things too it took me 15 years to get a MRI for my back you can imagine my thouts Wen I got my results that it wasn't just my posture had I'd been told even unable to walk was my fault lol  so if you are struggling seek out help anyway you can and be consistent till you get answers 🤗
    • Wheatwacked
      Hello @A Wilson, Glad you found us.   There is your answer.  The results from the tests are just more data to the puzzle.
    • Wheatwacked
      Hi @Woodster991, You do need to see a health professional to make sure it is not appendicitis.  Rebound tenderness, fever.   Is it gluten?  Yes.  It is also serious vitamin and mineral deficiency.  Either by Celiac Disease malabsortion, food avoidance or just not getting enough.  Consider significantly increasing your intake of vitamin D, B1, Choline, Iodine, B2, B3, B5, B12.  The vitamin D test, (25(OH)D, is simple and accurate. Whole Milk yogurt and berries to populate your gut with benificial bacteria.  I drink Red Bull for energy.  Eat food low in omega 6 fatty acids. The ideal ratio is less than 3 omega 6 to 1 omega 3.  For some, the Modern American Diet is estimated to be more than 14:1.  Very inflammatory.  Wheat flour is 22:1.  Grass fed milk is 1:1. Whether Celiac Disease (1% of the population) or Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity (10% of the population) would take blood tests and endoscopy. It is either that, or you have managed to contract 6 or 7 different diseases at the same time. You don't need a doctor's permission to not eat gluten anymore than you would to eat Chinese food.
×
×
  • Create New...