Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Mc Donalds Ff

bear6954

Recommended Posts

bear6954 Apprentice
bear6954
Posted

Are they safe or not? There website states that the beef broth contains hydrongized (sp) wheat. I have read that this is not safe. However, I just read that they have been tested and pose no gluten responce. Help! My son loves mc donald ff! Thanks

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Lisa Mentor
Lisa
Posted
Are they safe or not? There website states that the beef broth contains hydrongized (sp) wheat. I have read that this is not safe. However, I just read that they have been tested and pose no gluten responce. Help! My son loves mc donald ff! Thanks

Great! You know both sides of the arguement. :D There have been very extensive discussions about french fries on this site. You can do a search. It has always amazed me that something as simple as french fries can birth such emotions and how important McD's is in the life of Americans. (Sorry, I digress. McD's has a long history here). :o

It's a personal choice. I enjoy them without issue.

darlindeb25 Collaborator
darlindeb25
Posted

You will find a lot of controversy about McDonald's fries, yet, they are gluten free. People will tell you they aren't, they will tell you they get glutened by them...you will get a number of answers. They are gluten free, sometimes, in some stores, you do have to worry about cross contamination, just depends on how clean your McDonald's is. In Michigan, I never worried about it, here on Long Island, I have to wonder sometimes.

Trial and error is the only way to know. I know my sister eats them and we have been gluten-free for 8 yrs.

dksart Apprentice
dksart
Posted

I am VERY sensitive to even the tiniest amount of gluten in foods, and I can eat them. No problems. Sometimes, (maybe 3x per year) I just need some mickey d's fries!

Darn210 Enthusiast
Darn210
Posted

My daughter has not had any issues . . . but I would not call her overly sensitive.

psawyer Proficient
psawyer
Posted

You must decide for yourself. This has been discussed at great length many times on this board, and no consensus has emerged.

Personally, I think that the wheat that begins the process is fractionally divided so many times before reaching the finished fries that you will certainly get more gluten from the cross-contamination that is unavoidable in any restaurant that serves gluten-containing food. Make up your own mind.

  • 2 weeks later...
luvs2eat Collaborator
luvs2eat
Posted

Well... this is BAD news for me cause I always thought they weren't good for us (from a gluten-free standpoint... not a nutritional one) and had to be happy w/ the Chik-Fil-A fries I have a few times a year.

Knowing I can have McD's fries will NOT help my diet!!

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Salem Rookie
Salem
Posted

Although I haven't eaten their fries in a years, I was offered some french fries this week. I declined because I didn't know if they were safe. I'm so glad I did! I had no idea about the beef broth. Just another reason for me to hate mcD's.

MaryJones2 Enthusiast
MaryJones2
Posted

I don't eat them for non-celiac reasons and completely agree that it's a personal choice. You can read and decide. I think the individual store environment is the greater concern.

McDonald's USA French Fry ingredient statement: Open Original Shared Link

CSA Position paper on McDonald's fries: Open Original Shared Link

larry mac Enthusiast
larry mac
Posted
......

CSA Position paper on McDonald's fries: Open Original Shared Link

From the CSA Position paper in the above link:

".....Factors affecting the possibility of there being any residual gluten in

the final French fries or hash browns include:

Lisa Mentor
Lisa
Posted
Of course being raised Catholic, and out of respect for my parents and family, I wouldn't eat McDonalds fries on Friday during lent! <_<

best regards, lm

I sure chuckled at this statement, as I was raised to give up something for lent also. But ONLY on Friday larry? You got off easy! :P

larry mac Enthusiast
larry mac
Posted

'Cause of the beef in the fries! Yeah I know, it's pretty obscure.

The eating meat on Fridays was a separate thing. It may be different now. At one time, as I was growing up, it was a sin to eat meat on Friday, ever. That's why we always had fish sticks at school on Fridays. Then they changed it (I hope they let the poor souls out of hell or purgatory). It was my understanding that at this point it was only prohibited during lent. I thought it was still like that.

Of course in addition, you had to give up something. Preferably a favorite food, such as chocolate or fried foods. And certainly not bread if you're a Celiac . :D

best regards, lm

jerseyangel Proficient
jerseyangel
Posted
It was my understanding that at this point it was only prohibited during lent. I thought it was still like that.

It is :)

StLouisKirsten Newbie
StLouisKirsten
Posted

:huh: So chick-Fil-A fries are okay?

Well... this is BAD news for me cause I always thought they weren't good for us (from a gluten-free standpoint... not a nutritional one) and had to be happy w/ the Chik-Fil-A fries I have a few times a year.

Knowing I can have McD's fries will NOT help my diet!!

plantime Contributor
plantime
Posted
Knowing I can have McD's fries will NOT help my diet!!

I know exactly what you mean! <_<

bakingbarb Enthusiast
bakingbarb
Posted

what!!!!! wahhhh

Wow I wish you people that KNOW these things would post more often!!!AGH All this time I wasn't eating fast food except Wendy's chili. sigh

Is there anything I should know is safe. Because you are right there are a lot of times when people say don't eat this or that and turns out they are wrong

Can you all start a list of things you know like this?

whitball Explorer
whitball
Posted

I have read several threads that have said that these fries are gluten free. I ate a large order of fries a few months ago, and this was a huge mistake. I had a violent reaction. I vomited and had the d for several hours. I'll never make this mistake again.

larry mac Enthusiast
larry mac
Posted

This is one of many issues that are never going to be resolved. I can safely eat McDonald's fries. I can safely eat Rice Chex. I can safely eat plain (unseasoned) Fritos, Cheetos, Potato chips, Tostidos, etc. Just a few examples. Do I have Celiac Disease. Yes, without question.

Can all other Celiacs safely eat everything I can (and vice versa)? Obviously no, of course not. We are a diverse lot. Not only do we have differing intolerances, but our ability to tolerate certain foods seems to change depending on our individual physiology at any given time. And then there's DH.

best regards, lm

whitball Explorer
whitball
Posted
This is one of many issues that are never going to be resolved. I can safely eat McDonald's fries. I can safely eat Rice Chex. I can safely eat plain (unseasoned) Fritos, Cheetos, Potato chips, Tostidos, etc. Just a few examples. Do I have Celiac Disease. Yes, without question.

Can all other Celiacs safely eat everything I can (and vice versa)? Obviously no, of course not. We are a diverse lot. Not only do we have differing intolerances, but our ability to tolerate certain foods seems to change depending on our individual physiology at any given time. And then there's DH.

best regards, lm

you are absolutely right. Good point.

bakingbarb Enthusiast
bakingbarb
Posted
This is one of many issues that are never going to be resolved. I can safely eat McDonald's fries. I can safely eat Rice Chex. I can safely eat plain (unseasoned) Fritos, Cheetos, Potato chips, Tostidos, etc. Just a few examples. Do I have Celiac Disease. Yes, without question.

Can all other Celiacs safely eat everything I can (and vice versa)? Obviously no, of course not. We are a diverse lot. Not only do we have differing intolerances, but our ability to tolerate certain foods seems to change depending on our individual physiology at any given time. And then there's DH.

best regards, lm

Yes, very good point. Its just this is the first time I have seen people say they eat them.

I too can eat rice chex no issues so will see about the fries.

larry mac Enthusiast
larry mac
Posted

bb,

Please don't extrapolate from Rice Chex (which is a gluten-free product) to fast food fries which have a declared (albiet miniscule) gluten content - on my sayso. I simply post my experiences just like everyone else, anecdotal evidence that must be taken with a grain of salt. We all have to make judgements based on facts as we see 'em, personal experience, and anecdotal evidence that we deem fits us. I certainly don't advise anyone to eat fast food fries just 'cause I can.

OK, that's my CYA statement. B)

best regards, lm

bakingbarb Enthusiast
bakingbarb
Posted
bb,

Please don't extrapolate from Rice Chex (which is a gluten-free product) to fast food fries which have a declared (albiet miniscule) gluten content - on my sayso. I simply post my experiences just like everyone else, anecdotal evidence that must be taken with a grain of salt. We all have to make judgements based on facts as we see 'em, personal experience, and anecdotal evidence that we deem fits us. I certainly don't advise anyone to eat fast food fries just 'cause I can.

OK, that's my CYA statement. B)

best regards, lm

Its just good to know that if I am out and my kid is going there it might be ok for me to have some fries. I don't really care to eat them much in the first place but to sit and watch someone eat and not even have one....

Darn210 Enthusiast
Darn210
Posted
. . . anecdotal evidence that must be taken with a grain of salt. . .

Yes. True. FF are best with salt . . . :lol:

  • 2 weeks later...
Paul Jackson Rookie
Paul Jackson
Posted
:huh: So chick-Fil-A fries are okay?

No, they're not:

"French Fries:

"Potatoes, vegetable oil (canola oil, hydrogenated soybean oil, natural beef flavor [wheat and milk derivatives]*), citric acid (preservative), dextrose, sodium acid pyrophosphate (maintain color), salt. Prepared in vegetable oil ((may contain one of the following: Canola oil, corn oil, soybean oil, hydrogenated soybean oil with TBHQ and citric acid added to preserve freshness), dimethylpolysiloxane added as an antifoaming agent). *

"CONTAINS: WHEAT AND MILK (Natural beef flavor contains hydrolyzed wheat and hydrolyzed milk as starting ingredients)."

(Open Original Shared Link)

Paul Jackson Rookie
Paul Jackson
Posted
This is one of many issues that are never going to be resolved. I can safely eat McDonald's fries. I can safely eat Rice Chex. I can safely eat plain (unseasoned) Fritos, Cheetos, Potato chips, Tostidos, etc. Just a few examples. Do I have Celiac Disease. Yes, without question.

Can all other Celiacs safely eat everything I can (and vice versa)? Obviously no, of course not. We are a diverse lot. Not only do we have differing intolerances, but our ability to tolerate certain foods seems to change depending on our individual physiology at any given time. And then there's DH.

best regards, lm

May I please ask if you perform a biopsy on yourself after every meal with McDonald's French fries? Regardless of the existence or nonexistence of other symptoms, there is no "individual physiology" that allows the body of anyone with celiac disease to tolerate gluten, such as that contain in McDonald's French fries:

"French Fries:

"Potatoes, vegetable oil (canola oil, hydrogenated soybean oil, natural beef flavor [wheat and milk derivatives]*), citric acid (preservative), dextrose, sodium acid pyrophosphate (maintain color), salt. Prepared in vegetable oil ((may contain one of the following: Canola oil, corn oil, soybean oil, hydrogenated soybean oil with TBHQ and citric acid added to preserve freshness), dimethylpolysiloxane added as an antifoaming agent). *

"CONTAINS: WHEAT AND MILK (Natural beef flavor contains hydrolyzed wheat and hydrolyzed milk as starting ingredients)."

(Open Original Shared Link)

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      9

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      @Jane02, I hear you about the kale and collard greens. I don't do dairy and must eat green leafies, too, to get sufficient calcium. I must be very careful because some calcium supplements are made from ground up crustacean shells. When I was deficient in Vitamin D, I took high doses of Vitamin D to correct the deficiency quickly. This is safe...
    2. Jane02
      - Jane02 replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      9

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      Thank you so much @knitty kitty for this insightful information! I would have never considered fractionated coconut oil to be a potential source of GI upset. I will consider all the info you shared. Very interesting about the Thiamine deficiency. I've tracked daily averages of my intake in a nutrition software. The only nutrient I can't consistently...
    3. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      9

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      Hello, @Jane02, I take Naturewise D 3. It contains olive oil. Some Vitamin D supplements, like D Drops, are made with fractionated coconut oil which can cause digestive upsets. Fractionated coconut oil is not the same as coconut oil used for cooking. Fractionated coconut oil has been treated for longer shelf life, so it won't go bad in the...
    4. Scott Adams
      0

      Penobscot Bay, Maine: Nurturing Gluten-Free Wellness Retreat with expert celiac dietitian, Melinda Dennis

      until
      Hello! Join me and treat yourself to a four-day, three-night restorative gluten-free retreat in a peaceful, private coastal retreat setting near Penobscot Bay in Maine. Dates: April 10-13, 2026 Enjoy engaging classes...
    5. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      9

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      I do not know this, but since they are labelled gluten-free, and are not really a product that could easily be contaminated when making them (there would be not flour in the air of such a facility, for example), I don't really see contamination as something to be concerned about for this type of product.
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,329
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    klkarius
    Newest Member
    klkarius
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.6k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • knitty kitty
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @Jane02, I hear you about the kale and collard greens.  I don't do dairy and must eat green leafies, too, to get sufficient calcium.  I must be very careful because some calcium supplements are made from ground up crustacean shells.  When I was deficient in Vitamin D, I took high doses of Vitamin D to correct the deficiency quickly.  This is safe and nontoxic.  Vitamin D level should be above 70 nmol/L.  Lifeguards and indigenous Pacific Islanders typically have levels between 80-100 nmol/L.   Levels lower than this are based on amount needed to prevent disease like rickets and osteomalacia. We need more thiamine when we're physically ill, emotionally and mentally stressed, and if we exercise like an athlete or laborer.  We need more thiamine if we eat a diet high in simple carbohydrates.  For every 500 kcal of carbohydrates, we need 500-1000 mg more of thiamine to process the carbs into energy.  If there's insufficient thiamine the carbs get stored as fat.  Again, recommended levels set for thiamine are based on minimum amounts needed to prevent disease.  This is often not adequate for optimum health, nor sufficient for people with absorption problems such as Celiac disease.  Gluten free processed foods are not enriched with vitamins like their gluten containing counterparts.  Adding a B Complex and additional thiamine improves health for Celiacs.  Thiamine is safe and nontoxic even in high doses.  Thiamine helps the mitochondria in cells to function.  Thiamine interacts with each of the other B vitamins.  They are all water soluble and easily excreted if not needed. Interesting Reading: Clinical trial: B vitamins improve health in patients with coeliac disease living on a gluten-free diet https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19154566/ Safety and effectiveness of vitamin D mega-dose: A systematic review https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34857184/ High dose dietary vitamin D allocates surplus calories to muscle and growth instead of fat via modulation of myostatin and leptin signaling https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38766160/ Safety of High-Dose Vitamin D Supplementation: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31746327/ Vitamins and Celiac Disease: Beyond Vitamin D https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11857425/ Investigating the therapeutic potential of tryptophan and vitamin A in modulating immune responses in celiac disease: an experimental study https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40178602/ Investigating the Impact of Vitamin A and Amino Acids on Immune Responses in Celiac Disease Patients https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10814138/
    • Jane02
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By Jane02 · Posted

      Thank you so much @knitty kitty for this insightful information! I would have never considered fractionated coconut oil to be a potential source of GI upset. I will consider all the info you shared. Very interesting about the Thiamine deficiency.  I've tracked daily averages of my intake in a nutrition software. The only nutrient I can't consistently meet from my diet is vitamin D. Calcium is a hit and miss as I rely on vegetables, dark leafy greens as a major source, for my calcium intake. I'm able to meet it when I either eat or juice a bundle of kale or collard greens daily haha. My thiamine intake is roughly 120% of my needs, although I do recognize that I may not be absorbing all of these nutrients consistently with intermittent unintentional exposures to gluten.  My vitamin A intake is roughly 900% (~6400 mcg/d) of my needs as I eat a lot of sweet potato, although since it's plant-derived vitamin A (beta-carotene) apparently it's not likely to cause toxicity.  Thanks again! 
    • knitty kitty
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Hello, @Jane02,  I take Naturewise D 3.  It contains olive oil.   Some Vitamin D supplements, like D Drops, are made with fractionated coconut oil which can cause digestive upsets.  Fractionated coconut oil is not the same as coconut oil used for cooking.  Fractionated coconut oil has been treated for longer shelf life, so it won't go bad in the jar, and thus may be irritating to the digestive system. I avoid supplements made with soy because many people with Celiac Disease also react to soy.  Mixed tocopherols, an ingredient in Thornes Vitamin D, may be sourced from soy oil.  Kirkland's has soy on its ingredient list. I avoid things that might contain or be exposed to crustaceans, like Metagenics says on its label.  I have a crustacean/shellfish/fish allergy.  I like Life Extension Bioactive Complete B Complex.  I take additional Thiamine B 1 in the form Benfotiamine which helps the intestines heal, Life Extension MegaBenfotiamine. Thiamine is needed to activate Vitamin D.   Low thiamine can make one feel like they are getting glutened after a meal containing lots of simple carbohydrates like white rice, or processed gluten free foods like cookies and pasta.   It's rare to have a single vitamin deficiency.  The water soluble B Complex vitamins should be supplemented together with additional Thiamine in the form Benfotiamine and Thiamine TTFD (tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide) to correct subclinical deficiencies that don't show up on blood tests.  These are subclinical deficiencies within organs and tissues.  Blood is a transportation system.  The body will deplete tissues and organs in order to keep a supply of thiamine in the bloodstream going to the brain and heart.   If you're low in Vitamin D, you may well be low in other fat soluble vitamins like Vitamin A and Vitamin K. Have you seen a dietician?
    • Scott Adams
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      I do not know this, but since they are labelled gluten-free, and are not really a product that could easily be contaminated when making them (there would be not flour in the air of such a facility, for example), I don't really see contamination as something to be concerned about for this type of product. 
    • trents
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By trents · Posted

      Contact them.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.