A Few Questions, Need Advice

[peetred]

NO this is not for me, it is for my son who is on a gluten free diet at the moment. He is 2 and blood tests are negative, but shows symptoms when eating gluten.

Where is the best place for me to find out ahead of time what places we can eat at and what he can eat, especially concerning fast food. Some places have lists, some do not.. and I don't always trust the people at the drive through window that they actually checked to see what was in their food! Namely I am thinking of Burger King, Mcdonalds, Wendy's (they seem pretty celiac friendly), etc. I know there is practically nothing he can have at most places like Dairy Queen, etc... but some I don't know. Like Wendy's has gluten free hamburger meat but what about Burger king?

Secondly, we have seen improvement in our son but still has symptoms. It doesn't help that he may still be getting traces of Gluten that we are working on, and everyone offers him food wherever we go it seems. But, we want to be sure he doesn't have any other food intolerances or allergies... is it possible to find these things out this young and how? His main symptom is foul smelling diarrhea (he was 2 and had never had a formed bowel movement until we started Gluten free), but his symptoms havn't been night and day since we started Gluten free, so we are hoping to make sure he doesn't have any other problems as well.

I guess I just need people to talk to!

[Rosewynde]

If you want to track it down keep track of what he eats and how he feels after. The best way to track this is avoiding eating out so you know the ingredients of everything. Testing by doctors doesn't always help though it's worth trying that too. You might just get told it's IBS.

As for restaurants, I can tell you what I do but it all has potential for problems. For general stuff look it up online do searches on a restaurant's name and the keywords gluten and/or allergy. Usually I get a good idea if it's safe just from that. You can also call ahead and ask a manager they can frequently tell you where to get the information on specific ingredients or look themselves.

I do have a personal list of fairly safe fast food places because we do long family car trips frequently. McDonalds, Carls, Dairy Queen, and In-N-Out all have safe burgers if you get them in a lettuce wrap (otherwise known as protein style or low carb). Always inform them you have what amounts to a wheat allergy and any crumbs on your burger could make you very sick ( most people have no idea what Celiac Disease or gluten is ; D). I haven't yet tried Burger King or Wendys. Hamburgers or unseasoned or unmarinated meat are typically safe at most places just ask a lot of questions.

Sauces that I use that I know are safe: Mcdonalds ketchup, In-N-Out's special sauce, Carl's Guacamole mix, Dairy Queens ultimate sauce. Keep in mind if sauces are squeezed or dropped onto items and you've checked the ingredients they are safe. If they are spread on with the same tool as is used for the bread they are not, I always ask. I've never had problems with tomato's or onions at any of these places.

French fries are not safe EXCEPT at In-N-Out. All other places share frying vats with battered items or have additives that have gluten or dairy. I haven't tried it but i heard somewhere that Wendy's plain baked potatoes are safe (no toppings). Best bet, is if you want a variety to go along with your meal carry safe rice cakes or chips in your car. Safe dried fruits, cereal, and nuts also work really well for on the go snacks. I also use Laura Bars and the rice ones from Environkids but they're expensive so I use them sparingly.

[mamaw]

Hi & welcome

You are doing the right thing for your son & I want to say Thank YOU. Some just flip this off ... It will take time & trial & error will happen. The point is you are trying & willing to learn to help your son have a happy healthy life... Kudos to you.

I know that Red Robin has a gluten-free menu , Smokey Bones, Wendy's, chik -fil-lay.

Taco Bell now has wheat in the meat so that's no more. Chuckie Cheese allows us to bring in our own pizza & they will bake it on foil for us.

Dairy Queen has a gluten-free menu but i don't trust them making a blizzard , the cc with the spoons is a bit scary for me. We get vanilla or choc soft serve or milkshakes.

Alot of places when we know ahead of time , we take a bun with us....

Panera bread has a gluten-free menu, our kids love the gluten-free d soup there.

Good luck

mamaw

[ShayFL]

Pei Wei and Chipotle have gluten-free.