Celiac Disease & Gluten-Free Diets

I'm new to this GF diet. What foods have you found you are able to eat from fast food resturants. I rarely eat out, but there are times when I have to.

Wendy in NM

We don't often eat out at fast food either, but I know how much they might be needed if you are traveling (although we did a trip with a big cooler recently and never stopped at a fast food establishment, except to use their restrooms). Wendy's has a list of items that are gluten-free. I believe McDonalds has a very select few items that are gluten-free as well, but not too many choices. If we have to eat out, we usually stick to plain garden salads: lettuce, tomato, onion, carrots, and cucumber. Be sure not to eat anything with croutons on it.

Wendys has a PLAIN grilled chicken patty or PLAIN hamburger patty that you can order, but essentially you have to pay for the entire sandwich, which can amount to like $3.50-$4.00 for a tiny piece of meat. KWIM? It's kind of not worth it, unless you do like we've done with ordering a side garden salad off the dollar menu and either the chicken or the burger and breaking it up over your salad. But, places like that aren't necessarily going to be super careful about handling your food and avoiding cross-contamination. They're teenagers who really don't care about the customers most of the time, but are only there to earn some money. KWIM?

Anyway, I hope you can find some good fast food places that will cater to your needs. One place, if you have one near you, that is FANTASTIC with their food prep and the food is delicious is Pei Wei - fast food Asian meals. They have a gluten-free menu that they will give to you and they prepare the food in a separate pan and the food looks and tastes like "normal" food. :) I don't know where all of their locations are though, and I know they aren't as readily available as places like McDonald's and BK. BK, though is NOT gluten-free friendly. I would check online menus and see what you can and can't eat. And, if you are headed out on the road, I would be prepared to pack some foods that you can eat.

Visit my Blog with lots of gluten-free recipes: http://glutenfreebeginnings.blogspot.com

We dont eat out often these days either,its not really all that safe,

but you could try ringing around

and find out who does gf/wf or diet foods in your area or where

 you might be thinking of going..my daughter has done that a bit

but when she has she really makes sure they know exactly what she is talking

when she asked about gf foods...most i would stick toi the good old fashion

foods like plain salads ,etc and if so pop into you bag a small bottle of your home dressing

and take some crackers with you as well....mostly we do our own picnics if we need to eat out..

a lot of places say they will do gf/wf food if you ask..but always check what brands they use

so you know the food is gluten free etc...

being a celiac or some special dieter is a hassel i know ...it can actually be a real pain...

but to keep healthy we have to be constantly on the ball.one can get glutenized very quickly...

thanks Tee for your imput also ...i guess i rely on you a great deal for data and info in your area ..

it is so helpful...well i hope we have been helpful for you cheers Lynne

Hello Wendy

Try Mexican food fast food like Taco Bell... ask for the corn tortillas and whatever filling you want to. in Mc D you can have their chicken salads, in every fast food restaurant there is always something for you to eat even if their specialty would be hamburgers. You just have to  ask them  if they use any wheat ingredients to cook their meals. Even Starbucks had gf orange muffins that our little girl loved. Just keep your eyes open, being gluten free is not the end of the world just a new approach to gastronomy. And by the way... most restaurants are very well informed of gluten free and always have alternative dishes to offer to you without sacrificing your social life ;)

Remember... ASK A LOT !!! the worse that can happen is thay they don't know, and if that happens then move on to next restaurant... Have a great Halloween !!

by the way..most junk food use wheat so read the labels on your candies and also read where it says PROCESED ON A PLANT THAT MAY PROCESES OTHER PRODUCTS THAT CONTAIN WHEAT NUTS ETC... if wheat is not in the main ingredient  and your case is not too severe, then you can have those with no problem ...

{=^.^=} Morella !!