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Fast Food Solutions?!

FlourShopGirl

By FlourShopGirl
in Coping with Celiac Disease

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FlourShopGirl Explorer
FlourShopGirl
Posted

A couple times with my husband I've been out, it's late and I am hungry. The usual chicken sandwich from Burger King can't do anymore, so where do you eat? I feel very helpless eating out besides big chains like Unos, Outback, etc. I just don't want to drop $15 on lunch but I want the option of eating out. We went into Chipole's and I asked about the gluten-free and the guy laughed in the back and gave a face like "what the heck is that?".

Any suggestions?

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Darn210 Enthusiast
Darn210
Posted

Wendy's has some decent gluten-free options for quick & cheap

www.wendys.com/food/pdf/us/gluten_free_list.pdf

I believe their fries are gluten-free if they have a dedicated fryer for them . . . which varies from store to store so you must inquire.

sickchick Community Regular
sickchick
Posted

I don't eat out anywhere

missy'smom Collaborator
missy'smom
Posted

Gone are the days(for us anyway) of grabbing a quick meal in between errands, appointments etc. We've learned to schedule/plan ahead for meals. It's taken my husband longer to get used to/accept it than me. I often bring a snack in my purse or in the car just in case and try to keep things in the freezer that I can warm up quickly for a meal if I get home and am overdue for a meal. Sometimes we'll grab a snack at Whole Foods or the healthfood store before or after shopping there.

Our only quick, cheap meal out is always an Indian restauraunt that has a buffet that is safe(believe it or not) and costs us $15 total for 2 adults and 1 kid with a coupon that frequently runs in a local publication. It's a rare gem I think.

GlutenGalAZ Enthusiast
GlutenGalAZ
Posted

I believe the protein burger at In N Out is gluten free (would double check but last I heard) and their fries. Carl's Jr their Low Carb 6 dollar burger is gluten free and their fries (if its a dedicated fryer).

Wendy's like Darn210 said has a lot of gluten free foods (posted on their website) Salads (minus some things i.e. croutons and tortilla strips), potato, chili etc. I get their potato with sour cream and put the chili in it (if at home add cheese) yumm.

There are a lot of fast food places where you can get the hamburgers without the bun. You just have to remember there can be CC issues b/c of all of the gluten food they are making and handling.

A lot of the sites I have looked at online over the past year they have an allergy section or are adding it to there site.

When my husband and I go out for a drive or out for the day I put snacks in my purse or car in case I get hungrey and can't eat anything nearby (he can eat gluten).

GOOD LUCK. :)

YoloGx Rookie
YoloGx
Posted
I believe the protein burger at In N Out is gluten free (would double check but last I heard) and their fries. Carl's Jr their Low Carb 6 dollar burger is gluten free and their fries (if its a dedicated fryer).

Wendy's like Darn210 said has a lot of gluten free foods (posted on their website) Salads (minus some things i.e. croutons and tortilla strips), potato, chili etc. I get their potato with sour cream and put the chili in it (if at home add cheese) yumm.

There are a lot of fast food places where you can get the hamburgers without the bun. You just have to remember there can be CC issues b/c of all of the gluten food they are making and handling.

A lot of the sites I have looked at online over the past year they have an allergy section or are adding it to there site.

When my husband and I go out for a drive or out for the day I put snacks in my purse or car in case I get hungrey and can't eat anything nearby (he can eat gluten).

GOOD LUCK. :)

I use a cold pack with blue ice and thermos. I am learning even getting tea can be dicey if they make a sandwich beforehand and don't wash their hands. Its quite dicey. Am learning from another post however that if you ask you might find some places that are gluten free. Apparently the issue is becoming more known, and by asking it becomes even more so. Its nice to know not everyone thinks we are a bunch of hypochondriacs.

cyberprof Enthusiast
cyberprof
Posted
A couple times with my husband I've been out, it's late and I am hungry. The usual chicken sandwich from Burger King can't do anymore, so where do you eat? I feel very helpless eating out besides big chains like Unos, Outback, etc. I just don't want to drop $15 on lunch but I want the option of eating out. We went into Chipole's and I asked about the gluten-free and the guy laughed in the back and gave a face like "what the heck is that?".

Any suggestions?

I don't eat out very much and I do the same thing as others say here - like Lara bars in my purse, almonds in the glove compartment etc.

But Chipotle's has been good for me. I've researched them here on the Restaurant forum and called them. I have a burrito bowl with rice, salsa, grilled onions and peppers plus beef or pork. Then I ask them to change their gloves before putting cheese on (because they touch wheat tortillas with their hands). You could skip the cheese, as it is possible that some wheat crumbs from the tortillas that they serve to other people could get in the cheese. The workers where I am (Seattle) mostly speak Spanish and I just pantomime removing gloves if they can't understand. Someone here posted the Spanish phrase for "Please change your gloves" but I get too tongue-tied to say it.

Other than PF Changs and a baked potato at Wendy's I don't do other fast food. I've heard that Wendy's chili is gluten free but haven't tried it.

~Laura

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BallardWA Rookie
BallardWA
Posted

It's all in the planning. Do your research ahead of time of all of the "convenient" food sources in your area. You'll have more options when the situation for an unplanned meal arises. Nothing is worth getting sick, IMO.

FlourShopGirl Explorer
FlourShopGirl
Posted
  • Author
It's all in the planning. Do your research ahead of time of all of the "convenient" food sources in your area. You'll have more options when the situation for an unplanned meal arises. Nothing is worth getting sick, IMO.

Wendy's sounds great now, I often just got the Chili & Potato before. I carry gluten-free bars in my purse but when I want cheaper food options, I've been stumped. My husband's been amazing with all of this for me. He'll wait until we find somewhere for both of us however, when you are stuck paying $11+ for just one person, it's been goofy.

I appreciate all the suggestions!

rsm Newbie
rsm
Posted

I have a baked potato and chili from Wendy's. Choices are very very limited. I'm gluten and dairy free which further limits. I do like the laura bars or almonds. I keep a can of almonds in each vehicle.

gluten15 Apprentice
gluten15
Posted

Open Original Shared Link

I was never much of a 'fast food' eater to begin with. More of a 'quick food' eater on the go. I have always enjoyed nutrition bars, but have since found out one's that I thought were 'healthy' for me..are not so now.

The one's I listed above are really good. The cherry is really good. So good for such very few basic ingredients. I have also found them via single bars at different grocery stores.

I am always looking for something as healthy as can be that is quick and yummy.

I'm lucky that a nutrition bar can be good enough for me along with a bottle of water. These are very filling, basic and healthy.

I can't be much help as far as real fast food when out because I never did that to begin with, but I just wanted to throw the above bars into the mix as a quick bar to carry around.

Guest digmom1014
Guest digmom1014
Posted

I have had luck ordering a Big and Tasty sans bun at Mickey D's with fries. I also have had a cheeseburger w/o bun at Burger King with no problem but, I have only been on the gluten-free lifestyle for a little over a month so, I may not be as sensitive to CC as others.

I have found if I stick to a salad with oil/vinegar, I'm okay.

Guest digmom1014
Guest digmom1014
Posted

I have had luck ordering a Big and Tasty sans bun at Mickey D's with fries. I also have had a cheeseburger w/o bun at Burger King with no problem but, I have only been on the gluten-free lifestyle for a little over a month so, I may not be as sensitive to CC as others.

I have found if I stick to a salad with oil/vinegar, I'm okay.

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