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

Cheetos - Ugh, Anyone Else Have A Problem With These?

3groovygirls

Recommended Posts

3groovygirls Contributor
3groovygirls
Posted

We were at my husbands company picnic where of course nothing was gluten free. They did have Cheetos so I gave them to my daughter. For the next 2 days she had diarrhea and was up at night. UGH. I called and Cheetos said they couldn't garuntee no cross contamination for EXTREMELY sensitive individuals! Um, that means they're not gluten FREE then right?? That bugs me! Don't advertise it as gluten free if it is processed on equipment that uses wheat!

I guess it's getting so "trendy" right now to not eat gluten manufacturers forget there are people that REALLY can't tolerate it at all.

Anyone else get accidentally glutened by Cheetos?

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


climbmtwhitney Apprentice
climbmtwhitney
Posted
Anyone else get accidentally glutened by Cheetos?

Hi.

Can't be sure (we never can, huh?), but Frito-lay Fritos, and potato chips had to go. I believe myself and daughter were getting sick from them. Then again maybe I just ate too many. Ha! :P Seriously, though, we replaced them with Kettle Brand chips and won't eat any Frito-lay products anymore. It's so frustrating that we never know these things with 100% certainty, huh? Hope you're feeling better!

Sonya

DarkIvy Explorer
DarkIvy
Posted

Ugh. I'm glad I trusted my gut instinct about those things. My boyfriend loves them, and I got REALLY mad at him for eating them at my computer the other day. I know they're supposed to be gluten free, but they terrify me.

I hope your daughter feels better!!

Lisa Mentor
Lisa
Posted
We were at my husbands company picnic where of course nothing was gluten free. They did have Cheetos so I gave them to my daughter. For the next 2 days she had diarrhea and was up at night. UGH. I called and Cheetos said they couldn't garuntee no cross contamination for EXTREMELY sensitive individuals! Um, that means they're not gluten FREE then right?? That bugs me! Don't advertise it as gluten free if it is processed on equipment that uses wheat!

I guess it's getting so "trendy" right now to not eat gluten manufacturers forget there are people that REALLY can't tolerate it at all.

Anyone else get accidentally glutened by Cheetos?

Enriched Corn Meal (Corn Meal, Ferrous Sulfate, Niacin, Thiamin Monoitrate, Riboflavin, and Frolic Acid), Vegetable Oil (Contains one or more of the following: corn, soybean, or sunflower oil), Whey, Salt, Cheddar Cheese, (Cultured Milk, Salt, Enzymes). Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Maltodextrin, Disodium Phosphate, Sour Cream (Cultured Cream, Nonfat Milk), Artificial Flavor, Monosodium Glutmate, Lactic Acid, Artificial Colors (Including Yellow 6), and Citric Acid. Contains Milk Ingredients

I understand your frustration and it's justified. Cheetos do not contain any gluten ingredients, but that does not mean that they can't pick up some cross contamination during the manufacturing process. Some people do get symptoms from Frito/Lays Products.

Lays Staxx are produced on a dedicated line, so there is no potential cross contamination.

I don't think that Cheeto's is advertised gluten free and if they did, it would say "no gluten ingredients". There is a difference. I have not seen Cheeto's lately, so I may be wrong.

Hope your daughter feels better soon.

kbtoyssni Contributor
kbtoyssni
Posted

Where did you see Cheetos advertised as gluten-free? I've never seen the company making that claim. I've always thought it was one of those products that the ingredients were gluten-free but no guarantees when it comes to CC. It's a product you have to make your own choice about. That said, I do eat them on occasion, but I'm also not very sensitive.

sugarsue Enthusiast
sugarsue
Posted
We were at my husbands company picnic where of course nothing was gluten free. They did have Cheetos so I gave them to my daughter. For the next 2 days she had diarrhea and was up at night. UGH. I called and Cheetos said they couldn't garuntee no cross contamination for EXTREMELY sensitive individuals! Um, that means they're not gluten FREE then right?? That bugs me! Don't advertise it as gluten free if it is processed on equipment that uses wheat!

I guess it's getting so "trendy" right now to not eat gluten manufacturers forget there are people that REALLY can't tolerate it at all.

Anyone else get accidentally glutened by Cheetos?

HUGS! I have been thinking this week that my dd is getting glutened by Lay's regular Potato Chips. I'm going to switch to another kind, maybe those staxx that someone mentioned.

susan

3groovygirls Contributor
3groovygirls
Posted
  • Author

I think we'll just stick with the Kettle products now or the Lays Stax you all recommended! Thanks!

You know, I thought it said "gluten free" on the bag, but maybe I was mistaken...maybe I read the ingredients and THOUGHT it was gluten free - EITHER way if you go to their website it lists Cheetos as a gluten free food!! So maybe that's not "advertising" it but it says it is! Then if you call it says it can't garuntee no cross contamination.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Lisa Mentor
Lisa
Posted
I think we'll just stick with the Kettle products now or the Lays Stax you all recommended! Thanks!

You know, I thought it said "gluten free" on the bag, but maybe I was mistaken...maybe I read the ingredients and THOUGHT it was gluten free - EITHER way if you go to their website it lists Cheetos as a gluten free food!! So maybe that's not "advertising" it but it says it is! Then if you call it says it can't garuntee no cross contamination.

The Frito/Lays Website notes that Lays Staxx are gluten free, because they are produced on dedicated lines for only that product. Their other products listed as not having gluten ingredients, but are at risk for possible cross contamination with other products. There is a large difference in this simple play of words. Make sense? :blink:

This is not to say that you can eat Lays Products without issue. Some here do and some don't.

It's a hard world out there for us Celiacs. Hope this helps. ;)

JennyC Enthusiast
JennyC
Posted

Also if your daughter ate Cheetos out of a bowl shared with the rest of the party, the Cheetos may have been cross contaminated at the party. We buy Walmart brand Cheetos. They say gluten free on the bag.

Juliebove Rising Star
Juliebove
Posted

We buy Tings because they are dairy free. Daughter loves them and they are gluten free.

larry mac Enthusiast
larry mac
Posted

Cheetos, and as far as I know, other Frito Lay products, don't claim to be gluten-free. Either on the bags or on the website. It's never easy when your kids get sick. Is it possible she had a reaction to something else she ate that day? Or the day before or after? She probably didn't just eat Cheetos that whole day.

Unfortunately, some people must be extra careful and eat an extremely limited diet. Obviously more than just a gluten-free one. It's my opinion that some people who have issues with Frito Lay products also have other intolerance issues in addition to a gluten intolerance or Celiac Disease.

I eat Cheetos often, fried and baked plain varieties. Also plain Fritos, plain Lays potato chips, and Ruffles. I eat Tostitos every singly day on my nachos.

I've never had any reaction to any of the above.

best regards, lm

shayesmom Rookie
shayesmom
Posted
We buy Tings because they are dairy free. Daughter loves them and they are gluten free.

I second that one! My dd absolutely LOVES Tings and so does the rest of the family. Plus, they aren't as messy as Cheetos and I have to support companies who use 5 or less ingredients to make a product. lol! Easy to read labels earn extra points in my book!

strawberrygm Enthusiast
strawberrygm
Posted

Speaking of Cheetos, have you tried the new Natural Cheetos? The white ones? My dd has been eating them and they dont seem to be bothering her. Maybe they are safer than the traditional yellow cheese ones??-

cruelshoes Enthusiast
cruelshoes
Posted
Cheetos, and as far as I know, other Frito Lay products, don't claim to be gluten-free.

Open Original Shared Linkto the Frito Lay list of products that do not contain gluten. They do not claim to test them for gluten, nor do they use the term "gluten free." Lines are washed between batches, and each person would need to make their own decision on whether or not they are comforable with that.

I have read accounts of Frito Lay products sickening people. While I don't disbelieve that it occurs, it has never been our family's experience. We have eaten them on probably too many occasions with no negative results. Gluten concerns aside, they are a highly processed food containing delicious MSG and many other hard to pronounce ingredients ;) , many of which could cause individuals problems.

Mtndog Collaborator
Mtndog
Posted

For some reason Cheetos REALLY bother me :( I do OK with Fritos and other gluten-free lay's products. I think it's the "cheese" or all the artificial ingredients.

3groovygirls Contributor
3groovygirls
Posted
  • Author

I'm sorry, I know I'm new to all this and I know I'm more sensitive b/c Violet is a BABY and not a grown up so I feel bad when I gluten her, but does anyone else find it absurd that they can SAY on their website "Does NOT contain gluten" yet the teeny tiny astrix means that oh wait they can't garuntee it!? I mean if a food is listed as NOT containing gluten then it SHOULDNT contain it - it shouldn't be cross contaminated or whatnot OR it should be clearly labeled on the packaging. Anyway, it burns me up because the list of "does not contain gluten" and then the tiny astrix contradict itself!

I know, my repsonsibility, etc, etc, etc. But seriously, could they make it just a TINY BIT MORE difficult!

Lisa Mentor
Lisa
Posted

It will get easier. I have seen some wonderful changes in the last few years.

jetiduncan Newbie
jetiduncan
Posted

We eat lots of Frito Lay products around here and have had no problems with getting glutened. My son is severely sensitive. We eat Wavy Lays BBQ, Cheetos, Sour Cream and Onion and Smart Pop Cheddar popcorn as well as Tostitos.

Aponi Newbie
Aponi
Posted

Have you considered a possible corn sensitivity? While cross contamination is a possibility, I know that I had to discover the hard way that I am also sensitive to products containing large quantities of corn. Regardless of the type of "gluten-free" corn chips I have tried, I react strongly to all of them like I've been glutened. I can handle small amounts such as a little cornstarch in a sauce, but I've reacted to every mainly "corn" product. From what I've read, this isn't uncommon in the beginning and may lessen with time. (I hope so, because I'm dying to make cornbread with chili and other such corn dishes.)

DingoGirl Enthusiast
DingoGirl
Posted
For some reason Cheetos REALLY bother me :( I do OK with Fritos and other gluten-free lay's products. I think it's the "cheese" or all the artificial ingredients.

I am the same as Bev - Cheetos are really terrible for me, had them a couple of times and reacted both times - - I think it's the ridiculously artificial ingredients AND the MSG. I don't tolerate MSG well and many celiacs don't......

  • 7 months later...
loida Newbie
loida
Posted

Frito Lay DOES say which items are "gluten free" right on their website. Check out this page Open Original Shared Link for the Cheetos list. I agree this can be misleading, since there is chance of cross contamination on everything except the Stax chips.

My husband who has Celiac will not eat anything from FritoLay anymore, after having issues with the plain potato chips (potatoes, oil, salt, that's it).

By the way Michael Season's has cheese curls that are better than Cheetos, and they're gluten-free without any artificial ingredients.

  • 1 month later...
jberg Newbie
jberg
Posted

As someone else had mentioned, it the MSG in the cheetos that bother people. My DS can't eat any product with MSG.

Does MSG contain gluten?

Cin.

JesikaBeth Contributor
JesikaBeth
Posted

I get very sick with Cheeto's too :angry:

Unfortunately because Cheeto's used to be my *favorite*

I too do well with other chips of their's but for some reasno Cheeto's do not sit well with me, even if they are supposed to be gluten free, there is something about them....

  • 3 months later...
Estahrita Newbie
Estahrita
Posted

I do not think they are safe to eat and the web site is VERY deceptive- I wish companies cared enough about us to CLEARLY INDICATE whether or not their product is gluten free- because of this experience I am no longer purchasing ANY Lay's products.

Over the past few months I've developed an intolerance to gluten/wheat and adjusting is hard enough!

I've been keeping a food log for the past week and so far by being careful I have not had a reaction. But today I had some Cheetos and 2 hrs later I got glutened- bright red skin flush, malaise, bloated, freezing cold/hot flashes. DO NOT EAT CHEETOS!!! I do not think I am even that sensitive to cross contamination to be honest with you. I think they are just being deceptive.

It is possible that the reaction is to MSG, though unlikely because my reaction to gluten is so easy to identify by its symptoms.

Hopefully since I only had a few I won't have these symptoms for too long. GL to everyone, hope you all stay healthy and reaction-free!!!

Frances03 Enthusiast
Frances03
Posted

I dont think they are being deceptive at all. Their website clearly says which items are made in a gluten free facility and which aren't. I have chosen not to eat any of their products except the lays stax because those have no cc issues. They don't seem to be hiding anything, and those who are super sensitive should probably avoid all the products that aren't made in a gluten free facility. I haven't had any issues with the stax.

Archived

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

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,965
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Cbear
    Newest Member
    Cbear
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Scott Adams
      Does anyone here also have Afib

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      If black seed oil is working for his Afib, stick to it, but if not, I can say that ablation therapy is no big deal--my mother was out of the procedure in about 1 hour and went home that evening, and had zero negative effects from the treatment. PS - I would recommend that your husband get an Apple watch to monitor his Afib--there is an app and it will take readings 24/7 and give reports on how much of the time he's in it. Actual data like this should be what should guide his treatment.
    • Jacki Espo
      Covid caused reoccurrence of DH without eating gluten

      By Jacki Espo · Posted

      This happened to me as well. What’s weirder is that within a couple hours of taking paxlovid it subsided. I thought maybe I got glutened but after reading your post not so sure. 
    • Mari
      New Celiac Mama in My 30s

      By Mari · Posted

      Hi Tiffany. Thank you for writing your dituation and  circumstancesin such detail and so well writte, too. I particularly noticed what you wrote about brain for and feeling like your brain is swelling and I know from my own experiences that's how it feel and your brain really does swell and you get migraines.    Way back when I was in my 20s I read a book by 2 MD allergist and they described their patient who came in complaining that her brain, inside her cranium, was swelling  and it happened when she smelled a certain chemical she used in her home. She kept coming back and insisting her brain actually swelled in her head. The Drs couldn't explain this problem so they, with her permission, performed an operation where they made a small opening through her cranium, exposed her to the chemical then watched as she brain did swell into the opening. The DRs were amazed but then were able to advise her to avoid chemicals that made her brain swell. I remember that because I occasionally had brain fog then but it was not a serious problem. I also realized that I was becoming more sensitive to chemicals I used in my work in medical laboratories. By my mid forties the brain fog and chemicals forced me to leave my  profession and move to a rural area with little pollution. I did not have migraines. I was told a little later that I had a more porous blood brain barrier than other people. Chemicals in the air would go up into my sinused and leak through the blood brain barrier into my brain. We have 2 arteries  in our neck that carry blood with the nutrients and oxygen into the brain. To remove the fluids and used blood from the brain there are only capillaries and no large veins to carry it away so all those fluids ooze out much more slowly than they came in and since the small capillaries can't take care of extra fluid it results in swelling in the face, especially around the eyes. My blood flow into my brain is different from most other people as I have an arterial ischema, adefectiveartery on one side.   I have to go forward about 20 or more years when I learned that I had glaucoma, an eye problem that causes blindness and more years until I learned I had celiac disease.  The eye Dr described my glaucoma as a very slow loss of vision that I wouldn't  notice until had noticeable loss of sight.  I could have my eye pressure checked regularly or it would be best to have the cataracts removed from both eyes. I kept putting off the surgery then just overnight lost most of the vision in my left eye. I thought at the I had been exposed to some chemical and found out a little later the person who livedbehind me was using some chemicals to build kayaks in a shed behind my house. I did not realize the signifance  of this until I started having appointments with a Dr. in a new building. New buildings give me brain fog, loss of balance and other problems I know about this time I experienced visual disturbances very similar to those experienced by people with migraines. I looked further online and read that people with glaucoma can suffer rapid loss of sight if they have silent migraines (no headache). The remedy for migraines is to identify and avoid the triggers. I already know most of my triggers - aromatic chemicals, some cleaning materials, gasoline and exhaust and mold toxins. I am very careful about using cleaning agents using mostly borax and baking powder. Anything that has any fragrance or smell I avoid. There is one brand of dishwashing detergent that I can use and several brands of  scouring powder. I hope you find some of this helpful and useful. I have not seen any evidence that Celiac Disease is involved with migraines or glaucoma. Please come back if you have questions or if what I wrote doesn't make senseto you. We sometimes haveto learn by experience and finding out why we have some problems. Take care.       The report did not mention migraines. 
    • Mari
      My only proof

      By Mari · Posted

      Hi Jmartes71 That is so much like my story! You probably know where Laytonville is and that's where I was living just before my 60th birthday when the new Dr. suggested I could have Celiacs. I didn't go on a gluten challange diet before having the Celiac panel blood test drawn. The results came back as equivical as one antibody level was very high but another, tissue transaminasewas normal. Itdid show I was  allergic to cows milk and I think hot peppers. I immediately went gluten free but did not go in for an endoscopy. I found an online lab online that would do the test to show if I had a main celiac gene (enterolab.com). The report came back that I had inherited a main celiac gene, DQ8, from one parent and a D!6 from the other parent. That combination is knows to sym[tons of celiac worse than just inheriting one main celiac gene. With my version of celiac disease I was mostly constipated but after going gluten-free I would have diarrhea the few times I was glutened either by cross contamination or eating some food containing gluten. I have stayed gluten-free for almost 20 years now and knew within a few days that it was right for me although my recovery has been slow.   When I go to see a  medical provide and tell them I have celiacs they don't believe me. The same when I tell them that I carry a main celiac gene, the DQ8. It is only when I tell them that I get diarrhea after eating gluten that they realize that I might have celiac disease. Then they will order th Vitamin B12 and D3 that I need to monitor as my B12 levels can go down very fast if I'm not taking enough of it. Medical providers haven't been much help in my recovery. They are not well trained in this problem. I really hope this helps ypu. Take care.      
    • knitty kitty
      Does anyone here also have Afib

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Fascinating.
×
×
  • 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.