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mart Contributor
mart
Posted

Hi. I apologize if this question has been asked before. I looked but couldn't find it. Anyway, my 7 year old son was diagnosed with celiac disease three weeks ago and has since been on the gluten-free diet. Although he hasn't gained an ounce yet, I noticed that he seemed to do better the first week when we thought only homemade, "whole" foods were gluten-free. He didn't seem to have any pain and his appetite increased tremendously that first week. After searching the net (week two), I was delighted to find that a lot of his favorite snacks were "gluten-free," specifically those made by Frito Lay, such as "Cheetos." I called Frito Lay to confirm that they were indeed "gluten-free," and they assured me that they were, so he started eating these and other processed "gluten-free" products. Well, his appetite is now "just pretty good" and he's had several days where he complains of stomach pain. So today, I received a list of "gluten-free" products that Frito Lay promised to send me, and my heart almost sank when I read the small print at the bottom that said that they could not guarantee that there was no cross-contamination with their other gluten-containing products.

I guess my question is: is it safe to eat this stuff, or should my son only be eating stuff distributed by places like the Gluten-Free Pantry? He also ate McDonald's fries (supposedly gluten-free), but he didn't feel so well afterwards.

Is it possible that this stuff is all safe and he's just having some bad days while his stomach heals?

Please forgive my dumb questions. I am quite overwhelmed (as I'm sure you all were when first diagnosed) and can't seem to find a support group in my area or even get an appointment with a dietician any time soon. Any advice would so be appreciated. This site has been a God-send to me. Thank you all.

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Jnkmnky Collaborator
Jnkmnky
Posted

Msg can cause some problems.

KaitiUSA Enthusiast
KaitiUSA
Posted

Many mainstream brands are made on the same lines as gluten(but they wash the lines in between)so there could realistically be a chance of cross contamination in alot. It's basically to cover their butt.

I for one have not had a problem with Frito Lay products and eat them quite often.

Other additives , such as MSG-which I try to really avoid, are known to cause some people problems.

celiac3270 Collaborator
celiac3270
Posted

It's a personal decision. I trust them--particularly the products made on dedicated lines: Fritos, Ruffles, Lays (classic), Lays Stax (all flavors)........

mytummyhurts Contributor
mytummyhurts
Posted

Maybe it's just because his body was enjoying all the natural foods with nutrients and the junk food made him feel icky. Sometimes that happens to me after I eat that stuff.

VydorScope Proficient
VydorScope
Posted

My son eats the Fritolay Staxx with no problems.... his diapers always tells us if he got gluten and stax have never been a problem for him.

pixiegirl Enthusiast
pixiegirl
Posted

I am one that does not trust Frito or Lays, both make me sick every single time when I eat them... I'm not saying its definately gluten but there is something in them that does not agree with me. I can eat other brands of potato chips with no problems at all so its not potatoes or the greasy-ness of them. Also Soy Crisps bother me too.

I have no problems with Cape Cod Potato chips or Hain products. Again I'm not sure if its gluten or something else.

Susan

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KaitiUSA Enthusiast
KaitiUSA
Posted

It is a personal decision but, as celiac3270 listed, some of the chips are made on dedicated gluten free lines. Those would definitely not have gluten and if you have a problem from those it could be something else like an additive.

Fritos, Ruffles, Lays (classic), Lays Stax (all flavors)........those are all made on a dedicated gluten free line so those would be the definite safe ones if you are skeptical of the brand.

Carriefaith Enthusiast
Carriefaith
Posted

The last two times I had lays chips, I got sick, but they were the ones on dedicated gluten free lines, my guess is that it was dairy cross contamination.

He also ate McDonald's fries (supposedly gluten-free), but he didn't feel so well afterwards.
I got sick after eating their fries as well even after that they reasurred me that they are in a dedicated frier. There is so much gluten flying around that some gluten could have easily got in the oil, or someone could have accidently used the oil for chichen nuggets and not told anyone. I've worked in the fast food industry and I wouldn't put it past people to do something like that if they were in a rush.
VydorScope Proficient
VydorScope
Posted
He also ate McDonald's fries (supposedly gluten-free), but he didn't feel so well afterwards.

I got sick after eating their fries as well even after that they reasurred me that they are in a dedicated frier.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

And ppl keep yelling at me everytime I say that I have never had a good experence with McDondals fries, and that I suggest anyone with celiac disease avdiod them. Ppl say thigns like "your the only one..." etc, yet contanstanly ppl here report problems. So yell away, but I will not waiver in my warnings to everyone to STAY CLEAR of McDondals fries (and I extend that realy to all deep fried foods, but McDondals has a huge fan club here and is about the only one so hotly defended).

  I am one that does not trust Frito or Lays, both make me sick every single time when I eat them... I'm not saying its definately gluten but there is something in them that does not agree with me. I can eat other brands of potato chips with no problems at all so its not potatoes or the greasy-ness of them. Also Soy Crisps bother me too.

I have no problems with Cape Cod Potato chips or Hain products. Again I'm not sure if its gluten or something else.

Are you able to have MILK ? I know ppl report dairy problems with the lays line... what about soy? Soy bothers alot of ppl.

swittenauer Enthusiast
swittenauer
Posted

My husband eats Lay Stax like they are going out of style & the only problem he gets is swelling & that is because nobody needs to sit down & eat a whole tube of chips in one sitting. Ha!

VydorScope Proficient
VydorScope
Posted
My husband eats Lay Stax like they are going out of style & the only problem he gets is swelling & that is because nobody needs to sit down & eat a whole tube of chips in one sitting.  Ha!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You mean your not sposed too? I thought thats why there were package that way, you know 1 can = 1 serving...RIGHT??? :D

swittenauer Enthusiast
swittenauer
Posted

Good point. It makes perfect sense now. Ha!

ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted
Are you able to have MILK ? I know ppl report dairy problems with the lays line... what about soy? Soy bothers alot of ppl.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

McDonalds fries are coated in a milk based product. I was told to avoid them when I was told to stay away from dairy. Incidently I can now consume all the dairy I want.

I too have issues with Lay's. I recently tried the Stax though and had no problems. I don't trust anything else of theirs though. It's like playing roulette for me.

Carriefaith Enthusiast
Carriefaith
Posted
McDonalds fries are coated in a milk based product.
That's interesting... I still don't think that the fries are always 100% safe though for celiacs. Too much gluten flying around in those places.
ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted
That's interesting... I still don't think that the fries are always 100% safe though for celiacs. Too much gluten flying around in those places.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

As a former chef I totally agree, and while some 'poisonings' may be accidental you also have to worry about a unhappy minimum wage employee who really doesn't care or is having a bad day and decides to play a 'prank'. The 'what they don't know won't hurt them' way of thinking. I had a boss once who insisted on telling vegans that our refried beans were okay even though I made them from scratch and used lard. Most McDonalds will say they have a dedicated fryer but there is no way to be certain.

Guest gliX
Guest gliX
Posted

I worked at McDonalds over the Summer, and the fries were kept in a dedicated fryer and there was no chance of cross contamination. But, you never know with the restaurant you go to. Some restaurants cheat, and cook wheat-products in the same fryers. If you don't want to risk it, then steer clear of mcds, or you could talk to a manager and ask if there's any potential of cross contamination at that restaurant.

Lays: I trust them, but it's up to you. If your son continues to have stomach problems after eating Lays products, then stay away from them. But, they're unhealthy anyways..

rache Apprentice
rache
Posted

Lays Stax are marked "gluten Free" on the back! how exciting :)

Jnkmnky Collaborator
Jnkmnky
Posted

Don't they say "Naturally gluten free"? I was wondering if that's some fancy word-play meaning something other than "gluten free". :unsure:

VydorScope Proficient
VydorScope
Posted
Don't they say "Naturally gluten free"?  I was wondering if that's some fancy word-play meaning something other than "gluten free".  :unsure:

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Nah.. just that potatoes are NATURALLY glutne free.. unless you add somthing to chips they should alwasy be free.... naturally :)

Jnkmnky Collaborator
Jnkmnky
Posted

Ok, thanks. I was thinking maybe they used some "natural" way of de-glutening something gluteny. We've had no problems with the Stax, but I stopped buying them because of msg and those new warnings about frying potatoes in high heated oil... Ok, my info is vague, but I know there's some concern.

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