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

Is It Really Gf?

mart

Recommended Posts

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.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


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

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


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.

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 Sarah Grace's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      21

      Headaches / Migraines and Hypoglycaemia

      @Sarah Grace, Thank you for the update! It's so good to hear from you! I'm glad Thiamine, B Complex and magnesium have helped you. Yes, it's important to take all three together. I had to quit eating cheese and nuts a long time ago because they triggered migraines in me, too. They are high in tyrosine, an amino acid, found also in fermented...
    2. Jmartes71
      - Jmartes71 posted a topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      0

      Related issues

      Its been a complete nightmare dealing with all these health issues one thing after another and being told many different things.I am looking for a new primary care physician considering when I told my past doctor of 25 years I was diagnosed before any foods eliminated from my diet and now this year at age 54 no longer able to push considering Im always exhausted...
    3. trents
      - trents replied to Sarah Grace's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      21

      Headaches / Migraines and Hypoglycaemia

      My migraines generally have their onset during the early morning hours as well. Presently, I am under siege with them, having headaches all but two days so far this month. I have looked at all the things reported to be common triggers (foods, sleep patterns, weather patterns, stress, etc.). Every time I think I start to see a pattern it proves not to pan...
    4. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to jessicafreya's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      1

      Tamale ingredients

      These are labeled gluten-free: https://www.amazon.com/Corn-Husks-Tamales-Authentic-Flavorful/dp/B01MDSHUTM/
    5. Wheatwacked
      - Wheatwacked replied to Roses8721's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      6

      GI DX celiac despite neg serology and no biopsy

      Just a gluten free diet is not enough. Now you have to identify and replenish your malnutrition. Celiac disease is co-morbid with malabsorption syndrome. Low vitamin D, Low Thiamine caused Gastointeston Beriberi, low choline, low iodine are common the general population, and in newly diagnosed Celiacs in the western culture its is more likely. It takes...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      132,145
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Kundrey
    Newest Member
    Kundrey
    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

    • knitty kitty
      Headaches / Migraines and Hypoglycaemia

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @Sarah Grace,  Thank you for the update!  It's so good to hear from you!  I'm glad Thiamine, B Complex and magnesium have helped you.  Yes, it's important to take all three together.    I had to quit eating cheese and nuts a long time ago because they triggered migraines in me, too.  They are high in tyrosine, an amino acid, found also in fermented foods like sauerkraut and red wine.   I found taking Tryptophan very helpful with migraines.  Tryptophan is a precursor of serotonin and people with migraines are often low in serotonin.  (Don't take tryptophan if you're taking an SSRI.)     This recent study shows tryptophan really helps. The association between dietary tryptophan intake and migraine https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31254181/   For immediate respite from a migraine, try smiling REALLY BIG, mouth closed, tongue pressed against roof of mouth, and crinkle up your eyes like you just heard or saw the funniest thing...  This causes an endorphin release in the brain.  Usually it's the funny event, then the endorphin release and then the smile.  Smiling first makes the endorphin center think it missed something and it catches up quickly by releasing endorphins after the big crinkle eyed smile.  Must make crinkly eyes with smile or it won't work.  If you do this too frequently within a short time frame (several hours), you can deplete your endorphins, but you'll make more in a couple of hours, so no worries. Get your thyroid checked, too.  Migraines are also seen in low thyroid function (Hashimoto's or hypothyroidism).  Celiac and thyroid problems go hand in hand.   Vitamin D helps, too.  Low Vitamin D is found in migraine.   I'm so glad you're doing better.  
    • Jmartes71
      Related issues

      By Jmartes71 · Posted

      Its been a complete nightmare dealing with all these health issues one thing after another and being told many different things.I am looking for a new primary care physician considering when I told my past doctor of 25 years I was diagnosed before any foods eliminated from my diet and now this year at age 54 no longer able to push considering Im always exhausted, leg pain , stomach,skin and eye issues,high blood pressure to name a few all worsen because I was a  school bus driver and few years until my immune system went to hell and was fired because of it.Im still struggling now, Im sibo positive and been told im not celiac and that I am.I have a hernia and dealing with menopause. Its exhausting and is causing depression because of non medical help. Today I saw another gastrointestinalist and he said everything im feeling doesn't add up to celiac disease since my ITg levels are normal so celiac disease is under control and it's something else. I for got I had Barrett's esophagus diagnosed in 2007 because recent doctors down played it just like my celiac disease. Im currently looking for a pcp in my area because it is affecting me personally and professionally. Im told since celiac looks under control it's IBS and I need to see a therapist to control it. Gastrointestinalist around here think only food consumption and if ITG looks normal its bit celiac disease it's something else. Is this right? This is what im being told. I want medical help but told its IBS.Im feel lost by " medical team "
    • trents
      Headaches / Migraines and Hypoglycaemia

      By trents · Posted

      My migraines generally have their onset during the early morning hours as well. Presently, I am under siege with them, having headaches all but two days so far this month. I have looked at all the things reported to be common triggers (foods, sleep patterns, weather patterns, stress, etc.). Every time I think I start to see a pattern it proves not to pan out in the long run. I'm not sure it's any one thing but may, instead, be a combination of things that coalesce at certain times. It's very frustrating. The medication (sumatriptan or "Imatrix") is effective and is the only thing that will quell the pain. NSAIDs, Tylenol, even hydrocodone doesn't touch it. But they only give you 9 does of sumatriptan a month. And it doesn't help that medical science doesn't really know what causes migraines. They know some things about it but the root cause is still a mystery.
    • Scott Adams
      Tamale ingredients

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      These are labeled gluten-free: https://www.amazon.com/Corn-Husks-Tamales-Authentic-Flavorful/dp/B01MDSHUTM/
    • Wheatwacked
      GI DX celiac despite neg serology and no biopsy

      By Wheatwacked · Posted

      Just a gluten free diet is not enough.  Now you have to identify and replenish your malnutrition.  Celiac disease is co-morbid with malabsorption syndrome.  Low vitamin D, Low Thiamine caused Gastointeston Beriberi, low choline, low iodine are common the general population, and in newly diagnosed Celiacs in the western culture its is more likely.  It takes time to heal and you need to focus on vitamins and minerals.  Gluten free foods are not fortified like regular processed foods.  
×
×
  • 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.