Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Paradise

Yesterday, our family enjoyed an activity together for the first time in 6 months! It's something everyone probably takes for granted. A simple meal out at a restaurant. Not drive-through fast-food. A sit-down restaurant with a waitress. We discovered paradise! Cheeseburger in Paradise that is. We ordered a gluten-free, dairy-free meal (with a bun!) without a deer-in-the-headlights look! Or a, "your one of those people that make my job miserable" looks.

Our daughter is on the Autism spectrum and her doctor recommended a gluten-free, dairy-free diet. A common story these days. We have been changing our diet pretty well at home, but it is very difficult to find appropriate foods at restaurants. Our poor daughter's only restaurant meal has been Wendy's Chili. We want to offer her more choices! Let's help each other by using this space as a forum for rating great restaurants and our favorite meals.

Our very first meal eating out was at Wendy's. After checking on the internet, it seemed this was an easy place to start. My daughter had the Chili and we asked for no cheese on it. Please. We have been getting the fries. Our Wendy's has a dedicated fryer only for the fries. So that limits cross-contamination with gluten foods in the oil. You will need to ask this at your local restaurant.

I enjoy the Baja Salad with Chili on top. Don't eat the tortilla strips or the dressing! They contain milk. It can be a big fuss to get them to make it though. Apparently, the cheese is already mixed in the greens, so they have to go get a new container of greens. Boo Hoo. One time, they didn't even add the guacamole or the onions! My faithful family withstood my rantings and reminded me to count my blessings! Out of the mouths of babes! My long-suffering husband called to report the offense, and the manager offered us a free salad on our next visit.

I've also tried the plain baked potato. It's a healthy choice, but not quite the same without gobs of butter and sour cream! Ah, I digress. You can ask for broccoli topping and put dairy-free butter on it at home. If you are really prepared, you will have pats of said butter in your purse!

Here are Wendy's Gluten-Free Menu, and Ingredient & Allergy Info.

In 2014, FDA staff reviewed and slightly revised this statement originally written by Rhonda Kane, MS, RD, former Consumer Safety Officer with the FDA:

“with respect to restaurants, FDA guidance suggests that any use of an FDA-defined food labeling claim (e.g., “fat-free” or “cholesterol-free”) on restaurant menus should be consistent with the regulatory definitions.

If restaurants cannot ensure that the foods they prepare fully comply with FDA’s definition of gluten-free, restaurants should not refer to their foods as being “gluten-free.”

Read the full statement at glutenfreedietician.com

Restaurants and Gluten-Free Labeling Claims

Government standards require that "gluten-free" labeled foods must contain less than 20 parts per million of gluten in the United States, and 20 or less ppm in Canada.

There are 4 independent gluten testing companies in the U.S.:

• Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO) labeled products must contain less than 10 ppm gluten.
• NSF International used to represent National Sanitation Foundation, but due to expansion, the letters do not stand for specific words today. Foods they certify contain 15 ppm gluten or less.
• National Celiac Association labeled products contain 5 ppm gluten or less.
• Gluten-Free Certification Program (GFCP) called Beyond Celiac in the U.S. also represents the Canadian Celiac Association. Products with this label must contain less than 20 parts per million of gluten in the U.S.

Heinz gluten-free product list

Kraft gluten information

Newman's Own Food Allergen Chart has handy search feature!!