What's For Lunch?

[nettiebeads]

I just found a cheap gluten-free microwave meal from Healthy Choice.  It is the enchilada with rice (sour cream sauce).  I called to make sure, and it is gluten-free.  Best of all-much cheaper than the specialty brands!

Oh, one more question-I know that Frito Lay has tons of products that are gluten-free, but they state that although they wash their lines between products, there is a chance that there could be traces of wheat.  Has anyone run into problems with Frito Lay products?  I love Fritos and Cheetos!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks for the info - I'll have to look for that. I'd given up on frozen entrees - you just can't stand at the freezer section for hours reading all of the ingredient lists.

I haven't had a problem with Fritos or Cheetos, well the regular Fritos. I know the honey barbeque ISN'T gluten-free. And I had Cheetos yesterday with no problems.

[Idahogirl]

I thought that the honey bbq were gluten-free! I know that the chilli cheese are not, but I think that I read on their website that the honey bbq twists were gluten-free. I also checked the label, and it looked safe. Maybe I missed something.

[nettiebeads]

I thought that the honey bbq were gluten-free!  I know that the chilli cheese are not, but I think that I read on their website that the honey bbq twists were gluten-free.  I also checked the label, and it looked safe.  Maybe I missed something.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well, it's been awhile since I had them. Somebody offered them to me so I had one while I was reading the labels - wheat. Usually wheat is used to disperse seasonings equally and as a binder of flavorings to food.

[Baston8005]

I am out in the field almost 95% of the time for my job. The worst days are when I'm in Hicksville, Connecticut and there is only a local gas station. Oh the selections are great. LOL Looks like I will be making my own lunches from now on.

[julie5914]

I eat fruit, veggies and nuts all day at my desk like a little rodent. I do leftovers sometimes too.

You're right though, lunch has always been the hardest. That is why I fell into this routine of just grazing all day on healthy stuff instead of planning meals.

[Kailynsmom]

Any body know which soups are gluten-free?

[francelajoie]

Any body know which soups are gluten-free?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Amy's are the only ones I found that are gluten-free. I have not found any safe products with Campbells.

[par18]

Sandwich with gluten-free rice bread or bagel (toasted beforehand) ham or turkey and cheddar. Potato chips. Raw veggies and fruit cup or fresh fruit. Or I may eat leftovers ( grilled chicken breast or other entree from the night before). I find myself thinking about cooking enough of something the night before so I can have lunch one or two days later. I know I don't waste any food anymore! After being diagnosed 6 months ago via biopsy I have yet to eat a single meal out. Although this means having to prepare all my meals I can tell you I have not been glutened one time. At some point I will eat in a resturant but because I don't work and feel so good now I am in no hurry to test the waters. I think that in addition to being cheaper eating naturally gluten-free food is the way to go. I feel certain as more people are being diagnosed every day our eating out options will increase. Best of luck.

Tom

[nettiebeads]

Any body know which soups are gluten-free?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I haven't found any regular campbells, but their Select gold label in a box - butternut and italian tomato don't have wheat. Progresso new england clam chowder, Southwestern-style chicken, Campbells chunky Grilled Sirloin steak, and their chunky chilis don't list wheat either.

[Sweetfudge]

Dragging up an old post here

So, found some good suggestions here. But have a few questions.

What is everyone's favorite crackers? The only one's I've bought are the Blue Diamond nut thins, and they're a bit....uncrackerish, I would say. I eat 'em but I don't love them. I'm talking about REAL cracker-like crackers.

Also, what about crutons? I love salads, but find I need a bit of crunch to them. Do any of y'all have good suggestions for crutons? I've tried the gluten-free pantry's crutons, but they tasted kinda stale from the beginning.

And, is spinach safe yet? I miss it so much!

Any other suggestions for lunches that have yet to be addressed?

Thx bunches!!!

[2wheels4eyes]

I don't trust Amy's. It says "Gluten Free" on the front but in tiny, tiny letters on the back it has a message "for those with food allergies" that the food shares a facility with wheat products, among other things. Am I wrong to fear them? I assume that if it's dangerous for people with allergies, it's dangerous for me!

I used to live on Amy's in my pre-gluten-free days (they even stock them in the candy machines in my building) and was sooo happy to see most of my faves were gluten-free anyway. Then they changed their packaging from "Gluten Free" to "No Gluten Added". Meaning: no gluten added on purpose! I kept eating Amy's stuff anyway until one day after lunch I got sicker than I've ever been. It literally went on for days. I can't absolutely prove it was the Amy's of course but I'm 99% positive--it was the only packaged/not whole thing I'd eaten that day. Not wanting to cut Amy's out by mistake, I tried some of their foods again. I didn't get as sick as the first time but was definitely CC'd 2 out of 3 times.

I've heard from other folks that they're having issues with CC--I was really sad to see the new labelling. Kudos to them for being honest, but what a drag that they can't guarantee their products. Making a packaging change on that scale (they changed their soup labels too, and other things) takes months and months and months of planning and a great deal of $$. So I guess they're planning to stick to the "no gluten added" policy for a while.

Too bad for me, I think they're a great company making a great product line--but after my brutal experience I won't go back til they can provide me with more assurance that the CC issue is under control.

[LyndaCanada]

Hi There

I am just new to all of this and so far I've been eating next to nothing for lunch, rice crackers,cheese and salad and I'm already sick of it! I think I'm lactose intolerant so I think the cheese is going to be out too so some of you were mentioning lunch meat, I know alot of them have gluten int hem. Which brands of lunch meat are okay? I live in Canada so I guess the brands could differ slightly. I came across a Grimms brand of sausage but never lunch meat?

Also, I just assumed that all salad dressings had Gluten in them, which ones don't or what ingredient would I look for specifically?

Thanks for your help

Lynda

[shayesmom]

I've come up with a month-long lunch menu for my dd (who won't be in full-time school for over a year. I like to plan ahead ).

Here are some ideas: Pasta salads with either veggies or even tuna or seafood. Spaghetti and meatballs, BLT salad or sandwich, any homemade soups, chicken salad, BBQ chicken strips, Waffle sticks with fresh fruit and homefries, leftover oven-baked chicken, chili, hamburger patty, tacos, deli meats on bread or rolled in tortillas or in lettuce wraps and stir-fry.

For sides: veggies, chips and humus; chips and salsa; Glutino pretzels, broccoli salad, coleslaw, potato salad, pasta salad, cornbread, Tings, gluten-free trail mix, any veggies or fresh fruits. Pickles also add a bit of interest for a side dish.

For desserts: any fresh fruit (pears, melon, pineapple, mango, grapes, clementines, etc.), Cookies, brownies, muffins....even a fruit smoothie!

I think that the key is to package foods in smaller containers that you can easily take with you and to bring a nice variety of foods so that you don't get bored. If you're traveling, you may also want to invest in different sized thermoses to heat/cool things like smoothies, soups, chili and even ground beef for tacos.

It's funny but I was really having problems coming up with lunch ideas until I actually sat down and created a 4 week calendar and began filling it in. In less than an hour, I was able to fill it out completely and make sure that it contained items from all the food groups. It's not so bad once you sit down and really look at it. Plus, it really helps so that you can grocery shop accordingly (and plan your dinners).

[missy'smom]

Sweetfudge, Can't help with the croutons. Have you tried the cracker recipie from Gluten Free Gourmet cookbooks. Someone brought them to a support group meeting and they were alot like Cheese Its to me. I liked them. Here are some salad recipies if you like salads. I took the first two to work alot last year. I'll give the full recipie but they work well 1/2d or even 1/4d. They all hold up well refrigerated or not.

White Bean Salad

In a skillet, sautee until just crisp-tender: olive oil

1 onion, finely chopped

2 carrots, finely chopped

Add and sautee until softened: 1 large clove garlic, minced

1/2 cup finely chopped red bell pepper

In a bowl, mix together: lightly cooked vegetables from above

2 cans(16 oz.) white beans(cannelini or great northern), drained and rinsed

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/2 cup warm chicken broth(I omit this when the salad will be unrefrigerated)

1/2 cup fresh parsley, minced

2 tablespoons lemon juice

salt and pepper to taste

Add tuna or feta cheese if you like.

Spinach Salad With Apple

Mix together baby spinach from the bag, sliced firm- sweet apple lightly coated with lemon or orange juice to prevent browning and finely chopped or sliced red onion. Pecans are nice too.

Dressing: 1/4 cup olive oil

1 1/2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

1 teaspoon gluten-free mustard(I like dijon)

1 tablespoon honey(I like orange blossom)

salt and pepper

Pack the dressing separate from the salad.

Carrot Raisin Salad

2-3 medium carrots peeled and shredded(about matchstick size)

1/2 cup raisins

1/2 cup crushed canned pineapple(any form of fresh or canned is fine)

shredded unsweetened coconut

1/2 tablespoon honey

1 tsp orange zest

1 tablespoon lemon or orange juice

1 tablespoon olive oil

Whisk the dressing ingredients together in a bowl. Add the veg and fruit and toss.