Bottom Line: Service At The Speed Of Sound With A Side Of Contamination
Its a toss-up whether the fries and Tater Tots are gluten-free, and theres a high risk of cross contamination.
Sonic is a tricky one for GF food options, so be sure to tell the employees about your allergy when ordering. If youre ordering with someone else, be sure their food doesnt touch yours. You dont want those gluten-y fries all up on your bunless burger.
But if youre craving ice cream or a slush, you should be A-OK at Sonic.
How To Find Out Information About A Fast Food Chains Allergen Statement And Information
When youre at a drive through or standing in line at a fast food restaurant, it can seem like this information isnt anywhere in sight.
You may need to ask about how the restaurant or chain handles allergens and specifically gluten. There may be a pamphlet on a bulletin board or a binder or folder that someone who works there can pull out from behind the counter for you.
What youre looking for is to understand how this specific fast food chain handles allergens and if anything is done to ensure that foods with gluten or other allergens arent subjected to cross contamination.
The big spoiler here is that most fast food restaurants will likely have some cross contamination and thats just the nature of visiting one of these places for a convenient meal.
You have to know what your bodys level of gluten sensitivity is and what your comfort level is knowing that gluten may be on the food that you order even if theres no gluten in that particular menu item.
If you cant find any allergen information in the fast food restaurant itself, you can look online. Most websites have some way of helping you to identify whether foods are made in shared fryers or what the ingredients in a menu item are.
If theres no obvious allergen statement online, you can assume that there is no question about cross contamination at this fast food chain, and that it for sure happens at this set of restaurants.
Top 30 Best Dairy And Gluten
Nine years ago, my health suddenly crashed. Almost overnight, I developed extremely painful fibromyalgia, hypoglycemia that had me near fainting if I didnt eat every 2 hours, sudden food sensitivities, insomnia, and other symptoms. My hormones were so out of whack, I was told by my doctor it was unlikely Id ever have kids. Instead of going on medication, I quickly adopted a gluten and dairy free, organic diet. It took some time, but the diet and a lifestyle of placing importance on sleep, low stress, no caffeine and low sugar helped me alleviate these symptoms .
Nine years ago, there were far fewer gluten and dairy free foods. I lived on organic chicken, guacamole, veggies and fruit. I missed pasta, bread, baked goods and crackers. But, the gluten-free options that were available were expensive and barely edible. I remember trying to make my own cheese and it was awful! How I missed cheese!
Fast forward 9 years, and there are so many tasty gluten and dairy free options! Ive spent years finding the dairy and gluten free brands that taste closest to the real thing. Ive had many people ask me over the years how I manage to commit to a gluten and dairy free diet. Two things, I feel the repercussions when I dont and Ive found so many great gluten-free alternatives, that it makes it possible! I have two criteria when choosing the best dairy and gluten free products, taste and clean ingredients.
Recommended Reading: Is Pacific Oat Milk Gluten Free
Top 10 Fast Food Restaurants For Gluten
Its easy to assume that searching for gluten-free options at fast food restaurants would be more hassle than its worth.
After all, it seems most menus feature every item between two slices of bread, or every meat rolled or coated in flour. While this might be great in terms of convenience and flavor, it can be rough for those suffering from a gluten allergy.
Fortunately, we decided to take a closer look at just how far fast food chains have come in catering to people with gluten allergies. The goodies we found were even more than we bargained for.
Check out the whole Panera Bread menu
With bread as part of its name, it can be easy to overlook Panera as a place to grab a rich and filling gluten-free bite. But fear not: Panera Bread actually has a long list of gluten-free items, including much more than plain salads.
Suggestions: Go Mediterranean and try the Greek salad. When were feeling extra-hungry, we pair it with a side of baked potato soup, followed by a coconut macaroon for dessert.
Check out the whole Chipotle menu
As long as you avoid flour tortillas almost everything at Chipotle is free of gluten. If youre highly gluten-sensitive Chipotle also recommends avoiding items containing corn, including corn tortillas and corn salsa, as they may have a small amount of gluten from potentially co-mingling with gluten-containing grains in the field.
Suggestions:
Check out the whole Wendys menu
Check out the whole Jasons Deli menu
Why We Need Safe Snack Options:
My son has a wheat and dairy food allergy, and I have friends with Celiac disease so I personally know the pain of having to turn over every product in the store desperately looking for allergy free options to feed him. Most snacks are filled with dairy products and laden with gluten. I hope that whether you have a gluten-free diet, gluten-free dairy-free diet, or some other food restriction that this list will help you find options you can enjoywhether that be for a school snack, after-school snacks, late night snacks or whatever time of day the munchies hit ya. I dont want you or your loved ones getting hangry because they cant find a safe snack. I have everything from energy bars, crunchy snacks like popcorn, pretzels, and chips, to jerky, fruit, and more. This long list of great ideas should give you something even for the picky eaters. Theres a nice range between guilty pleasure foods and healthy snack ideas. Be sure to share these free snack ideas with your allergy friends!
Recommended Reading: Best Gluten Free Protein Bars
Dairy Free Fast Food Guide
Published: by LarishaBernard · This post may contain affiliate links ·
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Just because youre dairy free doesnt mean you shouldnt be able to enjoy fast food. Check out our Dairy Free Fast Food Guide for tips on eating at your favorite places on the go.
Its the holidays and you are out shopping all day long. You happen to get stuck in rush hour traffic. The doctors office took too long and now the kids are screaming they are hungry. You. Just. Dont. Feel. Like. Cooking. There are a bajillion different reasons that you may be in a pinch and need something quick to eat when youre on the go. Our Dairy Free Fast Food Restaurant Guide.
When looking for Dairy Free Fast Food, its likely that your former favorites are off the list however, that doesnt mean that theres nothing you can have. And sometimes, they may be even better choices that you never tried before because you thought you already had a favorite.
Dont worry. Weve got you covered with all the delicious dairy free fast food things you can still have at your favorite place. *Note: This will be an ongoing list and we will continue to add restaurants as we can. If youre favorite isnt listed below, leave a comment and well work on it right away.
Chili’s Bar And Grill
Chili’s Grill & Bar Restaurant, which has locations throughout the U.S. and in 34 other countries, has a fairly extensive gluten-free menu, with some caveats. This is another restaurant that fits more into the “casual dining” category than the fast food category.
- Baby back ribs with some sauces
- Ancho salmon
Chili’s notes that its gluten-free menu is based on information from food suppliers, and says it can’t guarantee the absence of allergens in the food, in part because of the possibility of gluten cross-contamination in the kitchen.
Read Also: Gluten Free Dairy Free Trader Joe’s
The Ultimate Guide To The Best Gluten
If you’ve recently adopted a gluten-free diet, there’s one important thing to note: that doesn’t mean that you can never go out to eat again. More and more restaurants are actually catering specifically to patrons who are seeking gluten-free grub.
“There are so many wonderful options that will allow you to feel included in the dining experience. Grilled lean protein, such as chicken and fish, over a bed of greens such as spinach, are always a great option. Hamburgers wrapped in lettuce are now widely available so you can still satisfy your burger craving, too,” says Alyssa Sparks, a holistic nutritionist and Pilates expert, in Los Angeles, California.
Still, because most major chain restaurants prepare ingredients in the same areas , cross-contamination can come into play during any stage of the preparation process. And many items you might think are GF actually aren’t, explains nutritionist Rania Batayneh, M.P.H., the owner of Essential Nutrition for You and the author of The One One One Diet.
“Fast food is generally full of hidden ingredients, so if you are following a gluten-free diet, even some french fries are not gluten-free ,” she says. “Surprisingly, not all salad dressings and breakfast oatmeal options may not be gluten-free, too.”
“When you decide where to dine, keep that in mind and don’t be afraid to ask when you arrive what your best options are,” Sparks suggests.
Gluten Free Menus For Fast Food Restaurants
Avoiding gluten at restaurants isn’t always easy. That’s why we’ve prepared this guide to help you find gluten free options from the biggest restaurant chains. Select from the list of restaurants below to view the gluten free menu for that restaurant.
Remember that cross contamination at restaurants can occur. If you have a serious gluten allergy or celiac disease, make sure you mention it when you order so that the restaurant can take steps to ensure your meal is completely gluten free.
Also Check: What Is Gluten Free Flour
Easy Gluten Free Dairy Free Recipes Your Family Will Love
20 easy gluten free dairy free recipes for youdelicious, family friendly recipes that youll love making!
Cheesy casseroles, flavorful noodle dishes, cream saucesthese are all things that you can still enjoy even if you are on a gluten free and dairy free diet.
Are you surprised? Its true! With the right substitutions, you can still enjoy amazingly delicious comfort food thats gluten and dairy free. It can be confusing to know what substitutions to use when you first eliminate gluten or dairy. And dont even get me started on the cost of ingredients! I have a couple of resources to help you on your way:
Learn all about what ingredients to use for different recipes in my guide to dairy substitutes.
Find out where and how to save money on gluten free ingredients in my post about eating gluten free on a budget.
Once youve found your ingredients, youre probably wondering what gluten free dairy free recipes to prepare? How can you be sure your new recipes will work out? Ive spent lots of time trying and testing recipes that are free of dairy and gluten ingredients, and Im excited to share these recipes with you. They are family friendly and so delicious.
These are all gluten free dairy free recipes, but if you do eat dairy, feel free to swap in regular butter or cheese if you wish.
Bottom Line: High Five Guys
Since Five Guys has a pretty gluten-free-friendly menu, theres a lower risk of cross contamination. That doesnt mean you arent at risk, but the odds are in your favor in comparison to other chains.
You can also specifically tell them you have an allergy, which they will note when making your order.
Five Guys also mentions to avoid these foods due to gluten:
- malted milk and cherry milkshake mix-ins
- Oreo piece mix-ins
- malt vinegar
Note: Five Guys uses peanut oil to fry, so youll want to avoid this chain if you have a peanut allergy.
Read Also: Lance Gluten Free Crackers Ingredients
How To Shop For Dairy Free Gluten Free Snacks
Luckily these days, there are actually a lot of dairy free gluten free snacks on the market, as well as recipes you can make yourself. If youre just starting to eat with these restrictions, you might feel a little overwhelmed though! Here are some tips when youre shopping for snacks at the store:
First, lets start with dairy, because thats the easier one. Dairy is one of the top 8 food allergens, so it must be listed on a food label either in plain language or in a Contains: Milk statement.
If you dont see any dairy in the ingredients or in an allergen statement, you can rest assured that it should be fine to eat. Just dont forget to thoroughly look at the ingredients manufacturers do not have to use the contains statement as long as it is clear in the ingredients.
Gluten is a little trickier, because manufacturers are not legally required to label for gluten itself . The Gluten Intolerance Group has a complete list of ingredients to avoid, as well as a handy reference card that you can also download and use when eating away from home.
If you are avoiding gluten due to celiac disease or a sensitivity, look for the following options when shopping:
Also, be aware of products that include a statement about possible cross-contamination. Just because a product doesnt include ingredients with gluten doesnt mean that the product has not been contaminated with gluten during processing.
Bottom Line: You Can Prob Eat More Chicken Here
If you want an actual meal, you can get one here. Just give them a heads-up when you order so theyre aware of any cross-contamination risk. Chick-fil-A does acknowledge that cross contamination is a risk, so youll still want to be careful.
But the separate frying oil is a game-changer if you need your fry fill. And having a gluten-free bun shows theyre trying.
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What Is A Gluten And Dairy
A non-dairy, gluten-free diet is fairly self-explanatory avoid dairy or dairy-derived products and avoid foods containing gluten. Some people must follow a gluten-free, dairy-free diet due to food allergies or sensitivities, while others find that this diet relieves digestive issues or helps them feel more energized. A typical American diet has historically included many dairy and gluten products, but there are still plenty of delicious food options available that are free of these ingredients. Besides whole foods like fruits, veggies, nuts, and non-wheat grains, nearly every grocery store now carries a variety of gluten-free and dairy-free alternatives to your favorite foods.Your reasons for starting a non-dairy, gluten-free diet might affect how you approach grocery shopping. For example, if you have severe allergies or intolerances, then avoiding potential cross-contamination will be much more urgent for you than for someone electing to ditch gluten and dairy for lifestyle reasons. No matter the circumstances, there are still plenty of foods to enjoy on a gluten and dairy-free diet.
How To Find Out Which Fast Food Menu Items Are Gluten
The easiest way to determine what the fast food chain offers in terms of gluten-free menu items after looking for an allergen statement is to see if they offer nutritional information on their website.
Many websites will have a section on their website that calls out the allergens and/or nutritional information. You can look through ingredients lists or some websites will offer filtering of their menu items to help you rule out the options that contain gluten ingredients.
Depending on the chain, the amount of information available may vary. Do your research, or check out the posts that Ive done the work for you to help decide what youd like to order from these restaurants.
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Chips Crackers & Salty Snacks
- Siete Foods grain free tortilla chips and queso This is literally the best dairy free queso Ive ever had! You can if you cant find them in store.
- Biena vegan ranch chickpea puffs and some of their roasted chickpeas: dark chocolate, cinnamon crunch, habanero, BBQ, sea salt, honey roasted, and rockin ranch
- Apple chips Technically these are sweet and not salty, but theyre a chip so I guess Ill include em here? I love these apple chips for snacking or for making homemade versions of a Panera fuji apple chicken salads, which can easily be made gluten free and dairy free at home.
- These are super crunchy but I like that about em. Theyre great for random solo snacking, or topping with tuna for a more substantial snack.
- Glutino Pretzels These are great when youre craving a salty snack but you can also use them in your own homemade trail mixes. Or, grab some of these and dip them in a dairy-free chocolate dessert hummus.
Gluten Free Dairy Free Snack Recipes
If you really want to get fancy, try whipping up one of these tasty gluten free dairy free snack recipes. They take a little more time and effort, but are delicious!
1. Gluten Free Raspberry Muffins After picking some raspberries at a local farm, I was inspired to make these tasty muffins! Theyre sweet and delicious and are topped with a lovely little lemon glaze.
2. Maple Glazed Trail Mix This homemade trail mix is quick to make and is top-8 allergen free. Its a great option to prep ahead on the weekend and then enjoy all week long by the handful.
3. Strawberry Oatmeal Bars: These Strawberry Oatmeal Bars are delicious! Theyre gluten free, vegan, and easy to make-perfect for a nourishing dessert or whenever youre craving a little something sweet. The recipe calls for a low-sugar sweetener called Swerve, but you can also just use regular sugar.
4. No-Bake Cranberry Energy Bites: These 4-ingredient no-bake cranberry energy bites are gluten and dairy- free, taste heavenly, and make an ideal snack before dinner or post-workout.
5. Banana Nut Smoothie: Not sure what to do with all of your ripe bananas? Freeze them to have on hand when you have a hankering for a healthy snack. This banana nut smoothie can be mixed in minutes, is packed full of good nutrition, and actually tastes like a milkshake!
8. Vegan Gluten Free Peanut Butter Cookies: Though these dont have gluten or dairy theyre packed with delicious flavor and that classic chewy peanut butter cookie texture!
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