Demand for gluten free fast food is gradually increasing in the world. Due to increase in demand restaurants owners have started to introduce gluten free fast food in their restaurants. People who are using this kind of good found it more healthier for them instead of other fast foods.
Gluten is a group of protein found in grains. It help to bread to rise and give a stretchy texture to dough.
It’s primarily found in
. Wheat
. Barely
. Triticale
. Rye
Including our daily used food items which are high in gluten.
Reasons for Avoiding Gluten
There are two main reason why people prefer gluten free food
1-Celiac disease
Celiac disease is biological disorder, more specifically it’s an autoimmune disorder. Individuals who are diagnosed with this disease strictly need to avoid gluten, if mistakenly consumed the body will start to react abnormally. Immune system start to attack on villi (which absorb nutrition) in small intestine.
This lead too many health issues like
. Stomach pain
. Diarrhea
. Weight loss
. Skin rashes
. Tiredness
There is no any cure for this disease, the only treatment is to follow lifetime gluten free diet.
2-Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity (NCGS)
Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity is a health condition where a person fell sick after hours of gluten consumption. .
Symptom for NCGS ARE
. Bloating
. Brain fog
. Headache
. Tiredness
. Joint or Muscle pains
Same like celiac disease NCGS also have no cure, the only way treating this disease is to start a gluten free diet. A shocking news is that some feel better after consuming small amount of gluten
Some of the people have general interest for gluten free diet. They feel better with gluten free food.
Cross contamination
Ordering gluten free fast food at restaurant can be risky for those individuals who are diagnosed with celiac disease or gluten allergy, there is a high chance of cross contamination. This process mostly occurs when a gluten free meal get in contact with gluten containing food. So be careful while ordering meal in restaurants if you are allergic to gluten.
Top fast food chains with Gluten free Options
1- Chick-Fil-A
Chick-fil-A is an American brand famous for its chicken sandwiches. With the increasing demand for gluten free item, this fast food chain offer some good options for gluten free meals.
Gluten free items include
. Grilled chicken sandwich with gluten free bun
. Fries (in most of their restaurants)
. Grilled nugget
. Fruit cup
. Side salad (without croutons)
. Hash brown
Chick-fil-A use separate fryers and utensil (knifes and boards) at many locations which make them a safer Gluten free option. Also let them known you need gluten free, they will extra care while preparing your item.
2-Wendy
Wendy one of the leading fast food chain in food industry.
It’s known for offering a good variety of gluten free fast foods items in their menu.
They offer many gluten free items such as
. Grilled chicken sandwich
. Baked potatoes
. Chili (most famous dish)
. Side salad
. Apple Slices
In their most of the location same fryers are used, if using separate fryer you can order but still there is chance of cross contamination.
3-Burger King
Burger King offer small range of options for gluten free items.
Items such as:
. Whopper
. Grilled chicken
. Side salad (order without croutons)
. Ice Creams
There is high chances of cross contamination in Burger King Franchises, they don’t have any separate area to prepare gluten free items.
4-Chipotle
Chipotle is a famous gluten fast food restaurant, most of their fast food items are prepared from natural ingredients. Being customer, you have to avoid flour tortillas.
Items you can order:
. Burrito bowls with chicken
. Salad bowl
. Crispy corn tacos with sofritas
. Chip and Guacamole
. Sofritas bowl
Let the staff know you are gluten free, they will be extra careful while preparing.
A best thing about this franchise is that you can choose ingredient according to your need. Through this you will know what type of
Ingredient are being used in your meal.
5-Mcdonald
McDonald’s don’t have such varieties for gluten free meal. Still you can enjoys some of the items which are gluten free such as:
. Side salad
. Apple slices
. Soft drinks
. Deserts
Most of their items contain gluten.
Gluten free pizza chains
With increasing demand of gluten free fast food, pizza chains have also introduced gluten free pizzas crust to their menus. These pizza chains had understand the needs of customer for gluten free meals and now offer better options in gluten free pizza for their customers.
Here are some famous pizza chains
1-Pizza Hut
Pizza hut is one of the world’s leading franchise in fast food industry. Pizza Hut is certified for gluten free pizza crust, it’s a better option for those individuals who avoid gluten containing pizza. They use separate cooking area in most of their locations but still there is chances of cross contamination
2-Dominos
Dominos also provide option for gluten free items but they warn their customers having celiac disease or gluten sensitivity due to high risk or cross contamination with gluten containing item. There is no any separate area to prepare gluten free food.
3-Papa John’s
Papa john’s offer gluten free pizza made of ancient grains. This pizza crust is available in 10 inch size but there is also risk of cross contamination while preparing the pizza. They made this pizza at the same place where others are prepared
Gluten Free products
Gluten free product demands are increasing. Companies understand the need of people and introduce gluten free products in the market. This step by companies had replaced traditional based wheat product by gluten free products like Bread, Baked goods, Pasta, Snacks, Sauces and Drinks.
If you have celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, bring your own gluten free bread (bun, sandwich bread, crackers) to restaurants, can be a smart choice to avoid gluten containing items. While many of the restaurant now offer gluten free options in their menu, still there is a risk of cross contamination.
Gluten-Free Fast Food Survival Guide
Restaurants offer gluten free fast food, it doesn’t mean it’s safe for your health. Still you have to be super active.
Here are some manual guide:
1-Check online menu, most of the restaurant’s menu are available on their website. From where you can get info about gluten free options.
2-Before ordering speak to the staff members about the ingredients and let them known you need gluten free item.
3-Order if they are using separate area’s for preparing Gluten free fast foods.
4-order bread less meal if they don’t have gluten free bread.
5-Check are they using dedicated fryers? If using you can order without any hesitation, if not there is a high risk or cross contamination.
If you have space you can carry gluten free items in your bag or car anywhere with you.
Last Thoughts
Being diagnosed with celiac disease or gluten sensitive means you have to extra care of your health. It doesn’t mean you are can’t to enjoy fast foods, still you can. Many restaurants offer gluten free fast food as per need of customer but there is always risk or cross contamination.
With some knowledge and extra care you can safely enjoy gluten free fast food. Let the staff known you have gluten allergy, so they will do additional care while preparing like clean the surface, change cutters and boards and change their gloves. Don’t shy ask directly about cross contamination for you surety.