Salsa And Gluten

[lovetapioca]

I have been having a horrible gluten attack. I am so sick and tired of having gas and bowel problems and not leading a normal life. I do so well then something goes all wrong for a long time. Well, I had nachos at a restaurant, asked and made sure everything was corn tortilla chips, etc and got the "look" etc but still, that was Thursday evening. This is Saturday. And I have been in misery ever since. I went to the store to shop on Friday evening for groceries and happened to read the ingredients of a fresh Pico de Gallo salsa. Guess what. It said right there it had wheat gluten in it. I don't know if the restaurant's salsa is what did it do me so badly this time, but something there did. Life has been so miserable and it looks like maybe one more day at home. I love to be with people and try to be normal and my family and friends that really love me don't roll their eyes when I ask about the "wheat" since so many still don't understand gluten-free. Oh, get this. I go thru a whole thing about gluten-free pizza. I get my food when everyone else is done...so the restaurant gives me a free salad. Guess what. Crutons on it. I mean, how dumb can you get? I am sick of the whole thing. But I can't just eat at home. I live alone and I need to be with friends and family. I am just tired of being sick and having problems.

[kareng]

Do they fry the chips in the same oil as other things? Lots of places do. Possible that the chesse, onions, etc sit in little bins in the kitchen that are used for many other foods. So a possibility that croutons from the crouton bin fell in or hands or spoons that scooped out croutons then scooped out cheese. Could be gluten in the salsa. In a restauraunt that has no clue about gluten free, it could be many things. That really doesn't sound like a safe place to eat.

[NorthernElf]

I once sat & watched everyone eat nachos in a restaurant because the nachos were fried in the common oil according to the wait staff. ;-(

At least I had my wine.....!

[nvsmom]

I'm sorry you're not feeling well. Hope you are better soon.

I agree with the others. It was probably the chips. Even if they claim they are baked, they are often "freshened up" with a quick fry in that contaminated oil.

Perhaps some restaurant cards would help. You could dicreetly give one to the wait staff to give to the kitchen. That might help them learn...

(hugs)

[pricklypear1971]

Ironically, I've found canned salsas to have less "crap" in them than the fresh ones sold at stores.

I haven't eaten at my favorite Mexican place in a while, but when I do I take my own chips in a baggie in my purse. The salsas are fine (they make 3 great ones) and I get my own salsas seperate from everyone else.

I did ask the manager if the salsas were safe. He said yes, but the chips weren't.

[Christine0125]

It's so hard yet I also refuse to eat solely at home. We went today to a dinner theater because a neighbor was in the play. They started with pre made ceasar salad which I had to refuse even though the waiter offered to take off the croutons. Then the "bread bar" was open... Finally the buffet after over an hour. I could only eat the chicken and apples and very salty mashed potatoes. The told me a couple other options were safe but they looked to risky. I keep hoping someday the glutenous food won't look so mouth watering to me. Long rant to basically say I feel your pain.

[peacefirst]

I keep hoping someday the glutenous food won't look so mouth watering to me.

That is the an interesting thing -at home I don't miss any gluten food at all, just when we are out and there is not much for me to eat, then that food looks attractive.

[Juliebove]

Chips in a restaurant are often not gluten-free. Salsa as you now know can sometimes not be gluten-free. I find that salads are very iffy. I usually don't order them unless the restaurant doesn't use croutons at all. Can't tell you how many times I have found a crouton in the middle or on the bottom and the same for cheese or egg.

[heather806]

I haven't been having the chips at mexican restaurants, just in case. I've kinda tricked myself into thinking all restaurant chips are gluteny, which is good because I won't fill up on chips before my food comes, like I used to do before going gluten-free! :-)

[Pegleg84]

Damn, I never thought of the frying...

Now that I can't eat cheese, nachos are (sniff!) off the menu for me. But I often take a risk and as long as they don't deliberately have gluten on/in anything, I'll go for it rather than starving (usually resulting in a fun time that night...)

Eating out it hard, but we have to do it and risk looking like picky complainers when we send something back to the kitchen cause, um, that is NOT gluten free (like they said). Then, if you don't mention anything, and it comes out gluteny, to eat or not to eat... (bad bad advice that has gotten me into trouble before, cause I hate the hassle of asking all the details)

I'd say find some safe (as possible) restaurants you can eat at, and suggest to your friends to go there. Even a couple safe options on a menu is a huge help).

Otherwise, cook at home, take leftovers, etc.

Also, gluten in fresh salsa? seriously? that's just wrong!

[pricklypear1971]

Damn, I never thought of the frying...

Now that I can't eat cheese, nachos are (sniff!) off the menu for me. But I often take a risk and as long as they don't deliberately have gluten on/in anything, I'll go for it rather than starving (usually resulting in a fun time that night...)

Eating out it hard, but we have to do it and risk looking like picky complainers when we send something back to the kitchen cause, um, that is NOT gluten free (like they said). Then, if you don't mention anything, and it comes out gluteny, to eat or not to eat... (bad bad advice that has gotten me into trouble before, cause I hate the hassle of asking all the details)

I'd say find some safe (as possible) restaurants you can eat at, and suggest to your friends to go there. Even a couple safe options on a menu is a huge help).

Otherwise, cook at home, take leftovers, etc.

Also, gluten in fresh salsa? seriously? that's just wrong!

Mix some refried beans with a bit of water to thin them out, pour them over chips. Add green onion and salsa. Yummy nachos.

I know, the fresh salsa "junk" is freaky. So easy to make your own. Food processor, tomatoes, jalape