White Sauce In Chinese Restaurants

[BostonCeliac]

I think I got glutened yesterday... I wanted some chinese food, and this was my first time ordering since the diagnosis... Well, I told the guy i was "allergic to soy sauce" -- and wanted chicken & broccoli without any soy - so he said, he would do a white sauce... Stupidly I agreed and didn't mention anything about flour/food starch, etc... Anyway, ate the whole thing, it was DELISH... and today I totally think I was glutened! I felt sick for a while after eating, but I thought it was because I ate too much...

Anyway, does anyone know anything about the "white sauce" at most quick&easy chinese food places???

I should have known better!!

Thanks!

[Fiddle-Faddle]

"White sauces" at Chinese restaurants are always made with cornstarch. The breading for General Tso's chicken and other deep-fried breaded items is also supposed to be cornstarch. I suppose it's possible that somebody decided to use wheat, though. Either that or cross-contaminaiton, if you are sensitive to that. It's certainly possible that wheat noodles were stir-fried in the same pan moments before your white sauce was made.

A virus is possible, too. I've noticed we get sick MUCH less often now that we hardly ever eat out. Of course, now that I've said that, I've jinxed the whole thing, haven't I? But seriously, the number of people handling your food, napkins, utensils, cups, credit card, pen, etc and just breathing and sneezing in an enclosed space really ups the possiblity of getting a virus.

[BostonCeliac]

"White sauces" at Chinese restaurants are always made with cornstarch. The breading for General Tso's chicken and other deep-fried breaded items is also supposed to be cornstarch. I suppose it's possible that somebody decided to use wheat, though. Either that or cross-contaminaiton, if you are sensitive to that. It's certainly possible that wheat noodles were stir-fried in the same pan moments before your white sauce was made.

A virus is possible, too. I've noticed we get sick MUCH less often now that we hardly ever eat out. Of course, now that I've said that, I've jinxed the whole thing, haven't I? But seriously, the number of people handling your food, napkins, utensils, cups, credit card, pen, etc and just breathing and sneezing in an enclosed space really ups the possiblity of getting a virus.

Thanks for the quick response! Cornstarch huh? maybe it was something else... i don't think its a virus at this point... I just have that bloated stomach with the gurgling and what seems like food slowly moving through...the standard thing I had before i went gluten fre... The only thing out of the ordinary was the chinese.. I also ate some unusual goat cheese, but i think that was OK... hmm... Maybe I should just go back & ask! thanks again...

[Lymetoo]

Probably was the cross contamination. Others here have said chinese food restaurants are "OUT."

I haven't been to one since being dxd. Used to be one of my favorite eating places.

[frenchiemama]

I have safely eaten items with white sauce at chinese restaurants, but I always clearly specify that they need to use a newly washed pan and untensils. I would bet that it was cross contamination that got you.

[Shanghai Bistro]

I have safely eaten items with white sauce at chinese restaurants, but I always clearly specify that they need to use a newly washed pan and untensils. I would bet that it was cross contamination that got you.

Most likely due to cross contamination, white sauce has no wheat products. However most chinese places use allot of MSG in white sauce, so you might have picked it up from that.

If you or anyone needs help with asian cusine please feel free to ask me or shoot me a e-mail.

[Fiddle-Faddle]

Can you tell me what "I-Jen" is? I have a bottle of Kimlan brand soy sauce, and it lists "I-Jen" as the second ingredient. Is it wheat?

[myserenityprayer]

I actually ordered in chinese last week with my boyfriend and asked what was in the white sauce they serve on their dishes. The woman who I spoke with said that it is corn starch and chicken broth. While there is no soy sauce, the chicken broth may very well have hydrolyzed vegetable or plant protein, which has gluten in it. Also, while many restaurants are hesitant to admit it, they may be using MSG for added flavor, which is also not safe. I ended up getting steamed chicken with mixed veggies and then added some sauce of my own at home. I actually through the veggies in my wok, added some chopped garlic, olive oil and ginger powder. That was before I was able to find wheat free soy sauce. Next time I will definitely add that in. I don't think I had a problem after eating it, but cross contamination is always a big concern, not to mention the fact that according to my definition of ordering in or taking out, having to reprepare the food to add your own sauces is no longer the same thing. It so hard to cut down prep time when it comes to eating, especially after a long day of work. I'd say, next time stick to the steamed dishes with no sauce and eat all the plain rice you would like (and keep your fingers crossed that you don't run into cross contamination).

[2Boys4Me]

Also, while many restaurants are hesitant to admit it, they may be using MSG for added flavor, which is also not safe.

I'd like to ask for clarification on the bolded comment (emphasis added by me).

I thought that MSG is usually gluten free but some people can react badly to it. So while it may be bad for some people, it's a safe ingredient for a gluten free diet from the standpoint that it has no gluten.

From Celiac.com:

Monosodium Glutimate (MSG)1, 4

1) If this ingredient is made in North America it is likely to be gluten-free.

4) Can utilize a gluten-containing grain or by-product in the manufacturing process, or as an ingredient.

My Canadian Celiac Association pocket dictionary says:

Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)...allowed.

A flavour enhancer produced through the fementation of molasses from sugar cane or sugar beets. A small percentage of the general population may have a reaction to MSG which is unrelated to gluten.

I certainly agree with the comment that said the chicken broth used may contain gluten, but I'd like added info on the MSG containing gluten. I don't think it does.

Thoughts? Not trying to argue or start a debate...just looking for answers.

[myserenityprayer]

I'd like to ask for clarification on the bolded comment (emphasis added by me).

I thought that MSG is usually gluten free but some people can react badly to it. So while it may be bad for some people, it's a safe ingredient for a gluten free diet from the standpoint that it has no gluten.

From Celiac.com:

Monosodium Glutimate (MSG)1, 4

1) If this ingredient is made in North America it is likely to be gluten-free.

4) Can utilize a gluten-containing grain or by-product in the manufacturing process, or as an ingredient.

My Canadian Celiac Association pocket dictionary says:

Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)...allowed.

A flavour enhancer produced through the fementation of molasses from sugar cane or sugar beets. A small percentage of the general population may have a reaction to MSG which is unrelated to gluten.

I certainly agree with the comment that said the chicken broth used may contain gluten, but I'd like added info on the MSG containing gluten. I don't think it does.

Thoughts? Not trying to argue or start a debate...just looking for answers.

To my knowledge, MSG is on the list of foods for celiac patients to avoid. Wheat is such a good source of glutamic acid, as is soy, and corn, that MSG is often made from these foods. And MSG from foreign countries may have gluten in it. Some foods are NOT gluten-free because the MSG they contain has been imported from overseas. If it is an authentic Chinese restaurant, they very well may be using imported seasonings, like MSG. It is similar to trusting that all Thai restaurants use tamari soy sauce which is gluten free as opposed to the more traditional soy sauce (shoyu) found in other Asian cuisines that is made with wheat. I know with me, I would rather be safe than sorry.

[happygirl]

MSG IS SAFE FOR CELIACS IN AMERICA.

https://www.celiac.com/st_prod.html?p_prodi...-47106185584.48

Now, others may argue that MSG is not good for you IN GENERAL, but, in terms of gluten and Celiac, it is safe.

check out another discussion, very helpful: Open Original Shared Link

[myserenityprayer]

MSG IS SAFE FOR CELIACS IN AMERICA.

https://www.celiac.com/st_prod.html?p_prodi...-47106185584.48

Now, others may argue that MSG is not good for you IN GENERAL, but, in terms of gluten and Celiac, it is safe.

check out another discussion, very helpful: Open Original Shared Link

I thought it was only safe if it was made in the USA?

[happygirl]

That is what the celiac.com list says. I'm sorry, I should have clarified that it is made in the USA.

[myserenityprayer]

That is what the celiac.com list says. I'm sorry, I should have clarified that it is made in the USA.

Yeah, see thats what scares me. I'm a nervous wreck when it comes to eating outside my home. I would be afraid that it may be a foreign product. That is the same argument with dextrin and maltodextrin. By law if it is made in the USA it must be derived from corn, but any where else and it probably has gluten in it. With MSG and Chinese food, normally you can't read the label of the MSG bottle to be sure where it was produced. And as you said, MSG could make anyone feel awful. So I would stay as far away from anything I wasn't 100% sure of anyways!

[2Boys4Me]

So I guess it's gluten free if it's in, say, a Kraft product, but if you're at a Chinese restaurant, perhaps avoid it.

No, I have no idea if Kraft uses MSG, I simply used it as an example because they are a label-friendly company.

[myserenityprayer]

So I guess it's gluten free if it's in, say, a Kraft product, but if you're at a Chinese restaurant, perhaps avoid it.

No, I have no idea if Kraft uses MSG, I simply used it as an example because they are a label-friendly company.

Yeah, I guess so.

[happygirl]

2boys4me,

agreed. Thank you for expressing that well!

[Nic]

"White sauces" at Chinese restaurants are always made with cornstarch. The breading for General Tso's chicken and other deep-fried breaded items is also supposed to be cornstarch. I suppose it's possible that somebody decided to use wheat, though. Either that or cross-contaminaiton, if you are sensitive to that. It's certainly possible that wheat noodles were stir-fried in the same pan moments before your white sauce was made.

A virus is possible, too. I've noticed we get sick MUCH less often now that we hardly ever eat out. Of course, now that I've said that, I've jinxed the whole thing, haven't I? But seriously, the number of people handling your food, napkins, utensils, cups, credit card, pen, etc and just breathing and sneezing in an enclosed space really ups the possiblity of getting a virus.

So then is it possible that the chicken used for Sweet and Sour chicken is made from corn starch? Of course I will ask and I know the sauce is out but hey, it is something my 5 year old used to love (with ketchup, not their sauce).

Nicole

[Fiddle-Faddle]

Definitely ask, as it's supposed to be made from cornstarch. Of course, if youa re sensitive to cc, you need to know that even without the sauce, it'll probably be made in the same pan that wheat noodles were stir-fired in two minutes before they made your General Tso's chicken.

There are also dozens of recipes for General Tso's chicken on the internet--you could make one of them at home and just use gluten-free ingredients. (And then serve it to your son with ketchup!)

[tracey*]

When my mum makes dinner (we're asian), she used to use cornflour in the sauces - brown, white, tomato, soy, whatever. The last time she used corn flour, I was SICK (pretty much straight away, and lasted for a few hours). The last time she cooked and left it out, I was perfectly fine.

In my case, it definately made me feel bad so I'm avoiding it from now on.

Any kind of asian sauce might have it in there, just ask them beforehand

[MistressIsis]

hmm, I thought I just saw that all MSG's has wheat starch in it...gotta go find that list again

[April-27]

Part of why MSG is on the list of foods to avoid for celiacs is that many celiacs also react to MSG. MSG is gluten-free, but many people still have trouble with it. I've not been diagnosed with celiac, but I've clearly discovered that wheat/gluten bothers me through an elimination diet. That said, I've consumed chinese food with MSG in it and have had the same bloaty, yucky reaction.

So, I guess what I would do (sorry I'm so late in replying!) is see if you notice a similar reaction to eating other foods with MSG in the ingredients. If you do, that is one more thing to add to the do-not eat list. I just made a wonderful homemade chinese white sauce tonight - totally gluten free. I bet you can find something easy and great to make at home through a google search. Or I can gladly share. I modified a recipe in my 1001 chinese recipes cookbook.

So sorry that happened to you!