Fast Food Resturants

[NikkiLynn]

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.

[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]

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]

some Amy's brand frozen foods are gluten free!

[capawa]

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]

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]

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.

[princessfuzzball]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

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]

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]

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]

mmmm that sounds great!!!

[TCA]

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.