Lilith

Arby's has a salad that I would rate as the best fast food salad - at least at my nearby Arby's, it is fresh, the roasted chicken on top is flavorful and I really like the honey mustard dressing. Their jamoca shakes are also gluten-free.

Another good fast food place is In-n-Out Burger - they will serve your burger in a nifty lettuce wrap and the fries are safe because they don't cook anything else in their fryers.

A lot of fast food pizza places now have gluten-free crust pizza - Streets of New York, California Pizza Kitchen, Barro's (I think). Subway will make your sandwich in a bowl as a salad and I like that you get to see what they put in your salad.

Fast food places are tough - the choices are really limited. I download all the gluten-free menus that I can think of, am adding new ones frequently, and keep them handy as my husband likes to stop for fast food when we are out. Having the menu in front of me helps and I don't have to memorize each place's offferings. . . .

Good luck-

Lilith

Like some others, when I went gluten free in March, so did my husband. I am the cook so I told him that I would only cook gluten-free foods. He, of course, is free to eat whatever he wants at work and at restuarants.

He has a one shelf in the pantry for his snacks that I don't eat, like regular pretzels, Pringles, cookies, etc. And there is a loaf of regular bread in the freezer for his sandwiches. I got squeeze bottles of condiments so there is no double dipping issue.

I just told him that this was very important to my health and while he is welcome to eat whatever he likes, he needs to know that is not an option for me. He's pretty god around the house in not leaving a mess but still has a ways to go in the eating out department. He loves fast food and is always suggesting McDonalds or someplace like that. Each time he does that, I roll my eyes and remind his there is little on the menu for me at those places and that I can only eat so many "house salads" while he is chowing down on burgers and fries.

But at least I'm pretty comfortable in my own house. Your wife should know that there are easy ways to stop CC and I hope she is more willing to work with you on this, rather than work against you. The little ones will be a challenge but they learn fast and can be taught proper procedures.

Good luck!

Hi, Ray,

I'm another one who is gluten-free but not a celiac - I went gluten-free for an autoimmune disease (IGA Nephropathy, kidney disease). I have no physical symptoms when I eat gluten but from some research I have done, it seems possible that my kidneys do react to gluten. I will have some test results next week to see if this has made a difference in my kidneys.

Interestingly, I have also had seizures in my past. Never thought they too might be connected somehow to gluten so your post as very interesting to me.

Having had a few seizures, I can totally understand you wanting to eliminate them if possible. They are not pleasant, to say the least. I wish you a lot of luck with your gluten-free diet and hope you experience the results you are looking for.

Lilith

I tried the chopped salad at Arby's a few weeks ago - hadn't been to Arby's in YEARS but had a coupon and hubby was up for it. I got the salad with roasted chicken and honey mustard dressing, both of which (and the salad) were deemed gluten-free on their website. It was the best fast food salad I have had, and I am glad to find a place to stop in a pinch where I don't have to rely on the person behind the counter understanding questions about gluten-free foods . . . Their jamoca shake was pretty good too!

You are so thoughful! I am gluten free by choice for now and my husband agreed to eat what I fix for dinners but he still gets his regular snacks and favorite things. Now that I am buying gluten-free items for me, here are a few I like to keep on hand -

1) Eggs

2) Corn tortillas for tacos, tostadas, eggs and torts

3) Glutino's gluten-free pretzels

4) Amy's rice crust gluten-free cheese pizza (which I then heap with my own veggies and sometimes gluten-free sausage and extra cheese)

5) Polenta in a tube - great with marinara sauce or scrambled with eggs and veggies

6) gluten-free energy/granola/breakfast bars - there are several good ones on the market that are available at grocery stores

7) Wine, soda, gluten-free energy drinks

8) Popcorn

9) Salsa and corn chips

10)Nuts, dried fruits

11)gluten-free ice cream

12)Fresh fruit

13)cheese and rice crackers

I of course don't know his tastes or preferences but I would think a selection of the above foods would get you through a weekend with a lot of choices.

I would suggest a section of your cupboards/pantry just for the gluten-free stuff so as not to mix it up and grab the wrong thing accidently. And if you can buy a couple of pans to use just for gluten-free cooking, that would be good.

From your posts, I gather than you may be more careful about his diet than he is. If you can offer him a gluten-free weekend, he may realize how much better he feels when he eats with you and that may help him to become more careful too.

BTW, I usually do not eat out or get take out from a restaurant. I know that whatever I can throw together at home will be safer than anything from a restaurant. I would encourage you two to eat in and consume only the foods that you two make.

Good luck!

Lilith

Thanks to all three who responded. You've given me some great ideas. My next field assignment starts Monday so I have the weekend to get my act together.

It's easier to plan when you have some choices . . .

Thanks again -

Lilith

I work outside sometimes and need lunch ideas that are quick, easy to eat and satisfying. Before going gluten-free, I would usually take a sandwich. Now that I really can't find a gluten-free bread that I like, sandwiches don't hold the same appeal.

I have been taking gluten-free granola/breakfast/energy bars and fruit like apples or tangerines and snacks like dried cranberries and pumpkin seeds.

Any ideas for a more substantial meal on the go? Salads are not easy to eat in my field environment, I can't heat anything up or mix together anything complicated . . . I prefer being a vegetarian but sometimes eat meat if the situation presents itself. So while a cold grilled chicken breast may be fine once in a while, I don't want to eat that every day.

Thanks in advance for any ideas you can share -

Lilith

I am a middle aged female who has been lucky to avoid most bumps along the health highway. I have always said and still say that I am never sick

Good news and so timely!

Thank you for sharing the news.

Lilith

I was looking for the introduction section so I could tell a little bit about myself and don't see one. Is there a good place to post an intro topic that doesn't really have a specific question in it? I went gluten-free by choice and am doing well with it but am glad to find a place to get information about restaurants, recipe ideas and other important information.

Thanks -

Litith