Amy’s Frozen Meals

[Michelle Jackson]

Hi,

 

I am a recently diagnosed Celiac and was looking at Amy’s frozen enchiladas. They clearly state gluten free (not certified however) and although they list that they also produce wheat products in their facility, they add that the are very careful about preventing cross contamination of gluten and have strict allergen testing on their production lines  

I called today and the women who answered said that this is true and they test for less than 20 ppm, which we all know is that “standard” for gluten free. I just wanted to ask if anyone has any feedback or experience with this company and heir gluten free products. I know older posts are misleading and I have researched a lot of contradicting things about them over the last 10 years online.  

[cyclinglady]

I can not help you.  I avoid processed foods and I too, have heard complaints about Amy’s products.  But I checked the Gluten Free Watch Dog’s site.  The two Amy’s products she has tested were below 5 ppm.  Instead of getting a subscription to People magazine, ask for a GFW subscription on your next birthday.  GFW is like Consumer Reports.  Unbiased and run by a celiac who is also a dietitian, Trisha Thompson.  It is only paid by subscribers and not advertisers.  

I can tell you that making an enchilada casserole is super easy.  Make it like lasagna.  Saves time.  Layer corn tortillas, Hatches gluten free certified enchilada sauce (add 1/4 cup of water to it as it gets absorbed into the tortilla, cooked meat of your choice, and lots of shredded cheese.   Repeat in the next layer.   Bake for 20 minutes or so and you are set!  Easy!  Just a few ingredients and you can pronounce every single on of them.  

[Respira]

I love amy’s Gluten free products, but I must admit they aren’t the healthiest meals but I eat them a couple of times a month with no problem at all.

[GFinDC]

If they are tested and certified they are probably ok now.  They weren't in years ago but things can change.

That is not the kind of food a new gluten-free dieter should be eating though.  Instead it's better to eat whole foods you cook yourself at home.  Foods like meat, veggies, nuts, and eggs.   Dairy is often a problem until we have had a few months to heal our guts.

[Michelle Jackson]

  On 7/27/2018 at 10:29 AM, GFinDC said:

If they are tested and certified they are probably ok now.  They weren't in years ago but things can change.

That is not the kind of food a new gluten-free dieter should be eating though.  Instead it's better to eat whole foods you cook yourself at home.  Foods like meat, veggies, nuts, and eggs.   Dairy is often a problem until we have had a few months to heal our guts.

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Thank you for your reply. 

 

I actually have only been eating a home cooked, whole food diet from meal prepping. I simply saw the package a co-worker had and as I see different things I’m just started to try and figure out down the road other things that may be an option. 

  On 7/26/2018 at 5:08 PM, Michelle Jackson said:

Hi,

 

I am a recently diagnosed Celiac and was looking at Amy’s frozen enchiladas. They clearly state gluten free (not certified however) and although they list that they also produce wheat products in their facility, they add that the are very careful about preventing cross contamination of gluten and have strict allergen testing on their production lines  

I called today and the women who answered said that this is true and they test for less than 20 ppm, which we all know is that “standard” for gluten free. I just wanted to ask if anyone has any feedback or experience with this company and heir gluten free products. I know older posts are misleading and I have researched a lot of contradicting things about them over the last 10 years online.  

Expand Quote  

 

  On 7/26/2018 at 6:02 PM, cyclinglady said:

I can not help you.  I avoid processed foods and I too, have heard complaints about Amy’s products.  But I checked the Gluten Free Watch Dog’s site.  The two Amy’s products she has tested were below 5 ppm.  Instead of getting a subscription to People magazine, ask for a GFW subscription on your next birthday.  GFW is like Consumer Reports.  Unbiased and run by a celiac who is also a dietitian, Trisha Thompson.  It is only paid by subscribers and not advertisers.  

I can tell you that making an enchilada casserole is super easy.  Make it like lasagna.  Saves time.  Layer corn tortillas, Hatches gluten free certified enchilada sauce (add 1/4 cup of water to it as it gets absorbed into the tortilla, cooked meat of your choice, and lots of shredded cheese.   Repeat in the next layer.   Bake for 20 minutes or so and you are set!  Easy!  Just a few ingredients and you can pronounce every single on of them.  

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I certainly don’t plan on eating them unless I’m an emergency, as I’ve been a health nut for a long time. But that recipe sounds fantastic. Thank you. 

[Michelle Jackson]

  On 7/27/2018 at 2:58 AM, Respira said:

I love amy’s Gluten free products, but I must admit they aren’t the healthiest meals but I eat them a couple of times a month with no problem at all.

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Thank you. I plan on Down the road only eating them if I’m stuck out somewhere and need an emergency meal as my work on sporadic on where we end up for meetings. 

[GFinDC]

  On 7/27/2018 at 7:31 PM, Michelle Jackson said:

Thank you for your reply. 

 

I actually have only been eating a home cooked, whole food diet from meal prepping. I simply saw the package a co-worker had and as I see different things I’m just started to try and figure out down the road other things that may be an option. 

 

I certainly don’t plan on eating them unless I’m an emergency, as I’ve been a health nut for a long time. But that recipe sounds fantastic. Thank you. 

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That's great, you are off to a good start then!

Some other foods you might want to check into are Mission corn tortillas.  They are made on dedicated lines and are safe for us to eat.  Aldi grocery stores carry their line of gluten-free wraps that are great.  Soft and flexible.  And bigger than the corn tortillas.

When you want to get a snack, Planters nuts are a good choice.   Planters will label any gluten ingredients in them.

[cyclinglady]

  On 7/28/2018 at 1:59 PM, GFinDC said:

That's great, you are off to a good start then!

Some other foods you might want to check into are Mission corn tortillas.  They are made on dedicated lines and are safe for us to eat.  Aldi grocery stores carry their line of gluten-free wraps that are great.  Soft and flexible.  And bigger than the corn tortillas.

When you want to get a snack, Planters nuts are a good choice.   Planters will label any gluten ingredients in them.

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Okay, GFinDC, I am going to plug Mission’s sister product Guerrero tortillas which are on the West Coast.  Both are made by Grumas Corporation.    They crank out billions of corn tortillas, flour and chips. They are actually labeled gluten-free making it easier for newbies and seasoned veterans to identify.  

 Tamale season is soon approaching!  

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[Nikki2777]

Please don't hesitate to eat a safe, prepared frozen meal from time to time.  This diet is hard enough to maintain as part of a busy lifestyle.  While I love to cook and explore new recipes, and have gotten pretty good at it while trying to re-create my lost gluten choices, I'm also a busy mom with a demanding job.  I'm not a huge fan of Amy's but there are other choices out there, and without them, I'd spend a lot more time pitying myself for this diagnosis.  After a few years learning the ropes, Celiac is just one part of me, but I refuse to let it be the defining part.

[TrainInVain]

  On 7/30/2018 at 8:49 PM, Nikki2777 said:

I'm not a huge fan of Amy's but there are other choices out there,

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Hi, I'm new and would appreciate hearing what other brands are good.

[plumbago]

  On 7/30/2018 at 10:09 PM, TrainInVain said:

Hi, I'm new and would appreciate hearing what other brands are good.

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I like Evol.

[TrainInVain]

  On 7/31/2018 at 12:31 AM, plumbago said:

I like Evol.

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Thanks, I found some Evol dinners at Walmart and tried the Chicken Enchiladas. Thumbs up.

[Nikki2777]

Evol are definitely good. Although not certified, I also like some of the Tandoori Chef and Trader Joe’s Indian meals that are gluten free, some from Lean Cuisine,  and Healthy Steamers/Bistro Beef Merlot or something like that.  Blake’s makes a nice gluten-free Shepard’s Pie  

If you have a Trader Joe’s nearby, there are super easy fast meals you can make starting with their precooked chicken and bases like riced cauliflower, zucchini spirals, etc. almost as fast as frozen.

 

 

 

[mbrookes]

Blakes also makes a chicken pot pie that is good. It comes in individual and family size. My near-by health food store has closed and I am searching for food now. They used to carry a gluten free frozen egg roll that was great. Anyone know the brand name? I have forgotten and don't know what to look for.

[tessa25]

Feel Good Foods makes egg rolls and potstickers.