Taco Bell

[w8in4dave]

The other day I was with a friend , I had taken her to get her hair cut, and she wanted to go to Taco Bell or another restaurant for lunch. My thought was ughhhh I might have a pop lol but I looked on line with my phone. Asked if Taco Bell had Gluten Free. It sent me to this site and I read that someone had Taco's and it was wonderful! With no reactions. So I was like ok Cool!! I can do two hard Tacos ... So we went, I was waiting for the familiar pain and the big D and it never came. So I was thinking wow!! So Taco bell hard Taco's are safe! Well later on I got on my computer and come to find out they are NOT Gluten Free Taco Shells Or Gluten Free meat. I cannot believe It didn't bother me!! Believe me I will not eat them again. But I was just wondering why they didn't bother me. I said something to my daughter and she said she cannot eat them. And I always seem more sensitive than her. I don't get it sometimes!! 

[GF Lover]

Waitin...I can't believe ....  wait ...  Did you say that someone on the internet said that they ate Taco Bell and were fine, so you decided it was ok for you too?  I think you know where this is going. 

 

Hon, you are a diagnosed celiac and you just damaged your body!  It doesn't matter that it did or did not give you any issues afterward.

 

The body can only deal with so much at one time.  Think of this.  If, by chance, you were diagnosed with a life threatening disease tomorrow, would your body be able to fight it? are you giving yourself the best opportunity to be able to fight the disease?  Your health is all you've got.  Please use more caution when making these decisions.

 

Colleen

[IrishHeart]

 I see you have posted a new thread saying you had gas and pain all night. 

https://www.celiac.com/forums/topic/104350-yesterday/

 

And this is likely the reason why, not the corn chips and the frozen gluten-free pizza you speculate about.

Fast food joints are not the best places to try and get a G F meal.

You could try using the Find Me Gluten Free app and see what real celiacs say about places with G F menus.

 

You have mentioned being out with friends and eating out in fast food places before and I would suggest this approach will not help you heal, especially in the beginning.  It may be best for you to plan out a few weeks' worth of  menus and follow them

closely until you get some inflammation down.

IMHO but you can decide for yourself, of course.

[kareng]

I think we have some cross -over going here between threads.  But I'm going to take the time to say it again here for the sake of future readers.

 

Jus because some random person on the internet says Taco Bell or Wonder Bread are OK, you must use some common sense.  Checking the place's own website or asking for the list they have in the Taco Bell of allergens, would have shown you that, besides soda & salsa, there are maybe 2 other things that do not contain gluten. You wouldn't even have had to tried to talk to the workers.

[w8in4dave]

Yes we do have crossover lol But that is because I didn't put the two together "In my head" lol I read it in here about someone saying that Taco Bell hard taco's were safe. But Like I said I didn't read the whole thing. I was out, on my phone , I will have to look up that thread. I really didn't put the bloating and gas to this... It won't happen again!! Believe me!! It was stupid of me!! I did ask them if it was Gluten free. They said it didn't have any Gluten on the ingredient list. So being I read it here and they said that, I took it as ok. She didn't have a "Gluten Free Menu" The other girl was on lunch break and noone eles knew where they were. Pffttt Just my luck. But I have learned my lesson. I am just glad I didn't have a worse reaction. I could of reversed  my healing in one setting!! Nope not worth it!! Thanks everyone!! I have learned a lesson!!  

[kareng]

Yes we do have crossover lol But that is because I didn't put the two together "In my head" lol I read it in here about someone saying that Taco Bell hard taco's were safe. But Like I said I didn't read the whole thing. I was out, on my phone , I will have to look up that thread. I really didn't put the bloating and gas to this... It won't happen again!! Believe me!! It was stupid of me!! I did ask them if it was Gluten free. They said it didn't have any Gluten on the ingredient list. So being I read it here and they said that, I took it as ok. She didn't have a "Gluten Free Menu" The other girl was on lunch break and noone eles knew where they were. Pffttt Just my luck. But I have learned my lesson. I am just glad I didn't have a worse reaction. I could of reversed  my healing in one setting!! Nope not worth it!! Thanks everyone!! I have learned a lesson!!

 

 

We have had several threads over the years about Taco Bell.  First - never go by any info more than a year or two old.  Second - read the whole dern thread!  You will see that we had at least one thread,that  I remember,from a troll trying to tell us she eats and works at Taco Bell and its OK.  There are probably 10 other posts saying "NO".

 

I think we are back to :  Use common sense

[Celtic Queen]

Don't feel too bad.  When I was first diagnosed I went there too and thought it was safe to eat their hard tacos.  Then I found on their website that their meat has gluten.  The last time I checked, the only safe foods at Taco Bell were their rice and beans, so I just avoid them altogether. 

 

The good news is that there are a lot of taco shells at the grocery store that are 100% gluten-free, so you can whip some up at home.  I know Old El Paso is.  Just be sure to watch for gluten in the flavoring packet of the meat.  In fact, I avoid the flavoring packet and just season the meat myself with some spices I have at home.

 

Unfortunately Taco Bell isn't the only restaurant that is totally unsafe.  I also avoid KFC and Sonic.  Sonic doesn't even have a salad on their menu.  I try not to eat a ton of fast food, but I work full time and have a crazy schedule, so it's hard sometimes.  Here are the things I've found that are safe for me:  McDonald's - salads and french fries (dedicated fryers), Burger King - salads, Wendys - salad, chili, baked potato, Chic fil A - Salad, french fries (dedicated fryers).  I know some people order burgers without buns too, but I usually avoid those.  Of course you have to check your salad dressings and watch out for any extra toppings with wheat - like tortilla strips, candied nuts, etc.  But those are often packaged separately, which makes it easier.

[Nikki2777]

You have to watch out for that, too - to the uninformed, if it doesn't say 'gluten' in the ingredients, they say it's 'gluten free', when we all know here that it's not called 'gluten' in the ingredients.  I usually try to add "which means no wheat, barley, rye or oats", though you can't always tell who gets it and who doesn't.

[LauraTX]

Maybe I am a 12 year old for saying this but....

 

I thought Taco Bell always gave everyone diarrhea.  

 

*ducks*

 

Anyways,

Things like this are bound to happen, no one is perfect.  All you can do is move forward, and make your own tasty gluten-free tacos at home.

[w8in4dave]

LOl LauraTX You would think !! Huh? Actually the only thing I ever used to get at Taco Bell was their Hard Taco's , I have never had a problem with them. I will NOT do it again that is for sure!! It is just not worth it to me. If their ingredients said wheat, I would of walked away with nothing to eat. No no I will not do it again. I don't ever go to KFC or Sonic Bleckkkk!! I went to KFC one time a couple years ago and got some bad meat!! Never again!! I vowed I would never go there again!! My friend swore she seen a sign there that they were gluten-free I said I don't care if everything they had was gluten-free I will not go there! Since my Taco Bell incident I have swore off FF Thanks  

[kareng]

LOl LauraTX You would think !! Huh? Actually the only thing I ever used to get at Taco Bell was their Hard Taco's , I have never had a problem with them. I will NOT do it again that is for sure!! It is just not worth it to me. If their ingredients said wheat, I would of walked away with nothing to eat. No no I will not do it again. I don't ever go to KFC or Sonic Bleckkkk!! I went to KFC one time a couple years ago and got some bad meat!! Never again!! I vowed I would never go there again!! My friend swore she seen a sign there that they were gluten-free I said I don't care if everything they had was gluten-free I will not go there! Since my Taco Bell incident I have swore off FF Thanks

http://www.tacobell.com/nutrition/allergens

But they do say wheat in the ingredients!

"Suggestions for Wheat and Gluten Sensitive Individuals:

Express Taco Salad (order Chicken instead of Beef)

Tostada without Red Sauce

Fiesta Taco Salad (order Chicken instead of Beef; order without the shell and without the Red Strips)"

[w8in4dave]

http://www.tacobell.com/nutrition/allergens

But they do say wheat in the ingredients!

"Suggestions for Wheat and Gluten Sensitive Individuals:

Express Taco Salad (order Chicken instead of Beef)

Tostada without Red Sauce

Fiesta Taco Salad (order Chicken instead of Beef; order without the shell and without the Red Strips)"

Yes it does say that I did not have that at my finger tips at the time Also the ladies at Taco bell didn't have that either. They were looking on the side of the box for ingredient list. I even said "You don't have an ingredient list for everything?" But anyhow when I got home I did find that link you have. Lo and behold What I read when searching on my phone was wrong. Like I said it won't happen again. When in doubt I will not do it!  I won't eat at Taco bell again. I also will not eat out for a long time. I don't like to suffer  

[GFinDC]

Hi W4Dave,

 

Some places you can get something more likely to be safe, like a piece of fruit, or even a salad. (without croutons).   It's a pretty ok idea to carry a Lara Bar and some fruit with you if you are going out for a long day.  That way you can just get a drink to go with your carry along food.  Convenience stores usually carry Planters brand peanuts which are always marked if they contain gluten.

[w8in4dave]

Hi W4Dave,

 

Some places you can get something more likely to be safe, like a piece of fruit, or even a salad. (without croutons).   It's a pretty ok idea to carry a Lara Bar and some fruit with you if you are going out for a long day.  That way you can just get a drink to go with your carry along food.  Convenience stores usually carry Planters brand peanuts which are always marked if they contain gluten.

The thing is, with these friends I have, I have known them for over 30 years. We go shopping and always go out to eat. It is what we do. Well me with this gluten-free stuff is kinda cramping ... At first what I thought was gluten-free comes up it isn't then I get this fancy phone and I search before going out and boom, get wrong information. I think your right I can get salads and such without crutons, but I just want to take a break from eating out for a while. Get my gut from being accidentally Glutened ...One time I went to Chili's got their steak that was on their gluten-free menu. I asked about what choices were on the Menu , Told her I was Celiac and could not have any Gluten at all and no CC, she said Ok I understand yea my steak comes out with the beans and corn on the side , with a big slice of bread across the steak... I took one look and she said yea he gave you this slice of bread. I said I cannot have that bread touching my plate let alone my meat. Why would I order off the Gluten Free Menu and then they put a slice of bread across it? Ughhh I re ordered it but was skeptical. Their corn tasted like green peppers and was dry. The beans were good the steak was good but why on earth would they do that? SO taking a big long break!!  My friends will understand. They have been very supportive thru this whole thing!

[kareng]

The thing is, with these friends I have, I have known them for over 30 years. We go shopping and always go out to eat. It is what we do. Well me with this gluten-free stuff is kinda cramping ... ...One time I went to Chili's got their steak that was on their gluten-free menu. I asked about what choices were on the Menu , Told her I was Celiac and could not have any Gluten at all and no CC, she said Ok I understand yea my steak comes out with the beans and corn on the side , with a big slice of bread across the steak...

 

Bring something you can eat with these friends.  Especially if you are at places like Taco Bell, its easy to whip out your own lunch at a back table or food court at the mall.

 

If you are ever served a steak with the bread on it, you must be certain they don't just give you the same steak back.  Slice it in half.  If its a salad with croutons - put a sugar packet in the bottom.  When they bring you a new salad, you can check for the sugar packet.  They should not be serving this food to other customers once it has hit your table.  That is a health code violation, so don't worry about that.

[w8in4dave]

I looked at the steak very good when I sent it back, the one they sent back to me was half the size. I know it wasn't the same one. I was on to that! Lol  But yea I just have to learn to carry stuff! I guess! We usually don't go to fast food. The lady I went with her daughter has crohns so she really has a hard tome at FF so we usually go to a restaurant. But Daughter wasn't there that day. Mom was taking advantage of being able to go to FF Lol ohh well I will just have to learn this stuff ... Taking food along Or eating salads.. Or set there and have a drink ... 

[notme]

the last time i had a mistake in my order, they left the plate right on the table while they re-made it.  that is another option:  tell them to leave the 'bad' plate

[Juliebove]

I can't speak for the hard shells at Taco Bell or for the chicken which only some items have.  I can speak for the beef and it contains oats.  Gluten isn't even an issue for me (was for daughter) but oats are bad for me.  I do believe that the beans are safe.  Not even sure about the rice.  There are just so many other options here that we try not to do Taco Bell.  Oats in the meat is enough to let me know that it's not my kinda place. 

 

We prefer Taco Time which is a local chain.  So far, we have not been sickened by any of our choices there but they do seem to keep changing the info. on their menu.  I did write to them once and asked for the source of the soy in some of their foods.  They never wrote back.  And now, some of the foods that we thought were gluten free are listed as not being so.  We were shocked once when a mom and grandma ordered a burrito for a girl then after she had bitten into it, decided to ask if it was gluten free!  I just wonder how sick she got later?  We were on our way out then so don't know what they wound up making for her.  But they do now list gluten-free options on their menu.  We used to get the tacos, nachos, beans, rice and some salads but have asked to have things left off.  I will not swear that any of these things are gluten-free though and would refer you to the menu or better still, ask before ordering.  Daughter does not have celiac but food intolerances so her reaction(s) are/were not necessarily the same as yours might be.

 

There is also Taco Del Mar, Qdoba and Chipotle in this area.  We've eaten at Taco Del Mar quite a few times with no problems but I can't say that we enjoyed the food.  It was rather bland and tasteless.  We found the food at Qdoba to be entirely inedible.  So much so that I actually teared up when I tried to eat mine.  I had promised my daughter that it would be a safe and healthy meal for her and that it would be tasty.  It might have been safe.  Not so sure about the healthy given the amount of sour cream they slopped in her bowl.  And although it had a taste, that taste was a very bad one.  Did not try Chipotle only because my dad told me that the food was tasteless.  Of course he could be wrong.

 

We do not eat a lot of fast food but...  One option that is almost always safe (although not likely available at the Bell) is fruit.  That is assuming that it comes prepackaged.  The little bags of apples or cups of Mandarian oranges should be safe unless they somehow got cross contaminated on the outside of the package.  Sure, they're not a meal but they could get you by until you can get some real food.

 

Me?  I travel with a little lunch bag in the back of my van.  In it is a can opener, a chip clip and some plastic bags.  If need be, I'll stop at a store and buy some corn tortillas, or a bag of corn chips, a can of refried beans, some baby carrots and some disposable plates and utensils.  Then I know I can have a safe meal if no other options are around, even if it means eating that food at room temp.

[Juliebove]

The thing is, with these friends I have, I have known them for over 30 years. We go shopping and always go out to eat. It is what we do. Well me with this gluten-free stuff is kinda cramping ... At first what I thought was gluten-free comes up it isn't then I get this fancy phone and I search before going out and boom, get wrong information. I think your right I can get salads and such without crutons, but I just want to take a break from eating out for a while. Get my gut from being accidentally Glutened ...One time I went to Chili's got their steak that was on their gluten-free menu. I asked about what choices were on the Menu , Told her I was Celiac and could not have any Gluten at all and no CC, she said Ok I understand yea my steak comes out with the beans and corn on the side , with a big slice of bread across the steak... I took one look and she said yea he gave you this slice of bread. I said I cannot have that bread touching my plate let alone my meat. Why would I order off the Gluten Free Menu and then they put a slice of bread across it? Ughhh I re ordered it but was skeptical. Their corn tasted like green peppers and was dry. The beans were good the steak was good but why on earth would they do that? SO taking a big long break!!  My friends will understand. They have been very supportive thru this whole thing!

 

Oh yeah.  Can't tell you how many times that has happened!  Even had trouble at Olive Garden.  Order gluten-free, remind them not to put croutons on the salad and they'll do it anyway.  Then offer to pick them off for you!  Mm hm.

 

I can't have dairy.  So I will order a plain baked potato.  Once, the waitress brought it out with little containers of butter on the plate, one of which had tipped over and melted onto the potato.  She said it looked so plain that she felt sorry for me and brought out some butter.  Gah!  Last time, they brought my potato with a container of some egg containing something or other that really belonged on someone else's plate.  Eggs are the worst food ever for me!  At that same place, they screwed up my SIL's food twice.  At least for her it was only a preference and the food wouldn't have sickened her, except perhaps mentally...heh.  But still.  Makes a person not want to eat there.

 

People who don't have legit. food issues like this just do not get it.  We can't just suck it up and eat something just this once.  I don't like being sick and I'd rather go hungry than to eat something that I know will sicken me later or even take the chance if I am not certain that it will be safe for me.

[w8in4dave]

Thats alot of info Thanks We don't have some of those places here. But just in case I do run into them I will try and keep them in mind. 

[Kindra]

I just was on taco bells web page & it says that there spicy tostada, hash browns , beans & hard chicken tacos are gluten free. Does anyone know this to be true? 

[kareng]

3 minutes ago, Kindra said:

I just was on taco bells web page & it says that there spicy tostada, hash browns , beans & hard chicken tacos are gluten free. Does anyone know this to be true? 

They might be but I wouldn’t feel safe eating them.  I don’t think they train people on cc and Celiac safe food

[cyclinglady]

Yikes!  Kindra, I think you did not scroll down to the bottom of the Taco Bell page:

“Taco Bell® does not claim “gluten-free” for any of its food. Some Taco Bell® items are made without gluten containing ingredients, but are prepared in common kitchen areas, including common fryer oil, risking gluten exposure. Taco Bell® does not recommend products for customers with celiac disease. Customers with gluten sensitivities should exercise judgment when ordering.”

https://www.tacobell.com/how-to-avoid-gluten

Consider the app “Find me Gluten Free”.  Look for restaurant reviews actually made by celiacs. This will help insure that you can safely eat there.