Tip: Fast Food Restaurants

Eating at fast food restaurants might be one of the most frustrating things about living with a Gluten Free diet. The small kitchen combined with employees who are not extensively trained about eliminating cross contamination and what kind of preparation food needs for a special diet can lead to a problem. Many restaurants have tried to be a little more helpful by proving nutritional information in either a brochure or a poster with nutritional information on it. Eating at a fast food restaurant is a big risk and I recommend staying away from fast food joints if at all possible.

Of the fast food restaurants I think Wendy’s does the best job at catering to those with a Gluten Free diet. I would always recommend staying away from french fries because most cookers are not dedicated to french fries, there might be breaded products cooked in the same oil. McDonald’s used to have a dedicated cooker for their fried which made them Gluten Free but a few years ago they stopped that and they are no longer safe. Obviously stay away from burgers, and I would be hesitant to try any patty’s just cause I would fear for cross contamination from back in the kitchen. Wendy’s has a decent menu for those allergic to Gluten. Here is their Gluten Free Menu. They have some chili that is pretty good and some good salads. I noticed recently that their chicken on their BLT salad switched over to breaded when it used to be grilled. I was pretty disappointed when I got my salad to find strips of breaded chicken on my salad.

When eating at fast food restaurants be safe. Stick with items that you are certain with and you can even talk to your order taker to tell them about your concerns with your dietary needs. Communication is key! I will do a post tomorrow about Gluten Free options at other fast food restaurants.

Tags: Cross Contam, Fast Food