The Best Gluten-Free Chain Restaurants
GUEST POST BY LUCAS CAPPEL
If you look at today’s population, some 20 million people in the United States alone may have gluten intolerance. Here in this article, we look at various gluten-free restaurants that are popular all over the world. Soon you will notice that gluten-free living is much easier than you think.
All around the world, more and more people are making the switch to a gluten-free diet. All sorts of reasons are convincing people, from gluten intolerance to weight loss.
One might think that if they go gluten-free, there will be no place for them to eat. However, there are many gluten-free meals to be enjoyed at chain restaurants around the world.
Why are people opting for gluten-free diets in their life? Some of the reasons may be:
- Living with Celiac disease
- Gluten intolerance
- The maintenance of a healthy diet throughout pregnancy
- Trying to relieve periods
- Losing weight
What Is Gluten?
Before we dive in, let’s have a think about what gluten actually is. Every expert explains that gluten is a protein that can be found in wheat, rye, barley, and several other grains.
If you think of a pizza, it is what gives the dough its stretchy consistency. Gluten is found in so many different things, including potato chips and soy sauce. According to the FDA, food items need to contain less than 20 ppm of gluten so that they can be considered “gluten-free” and labelled as such.
Gluten-Free Fast Food
These are ever-increasing in popularity and becoming much more accessible to consumers. Bites to be eaten can be grabbed within an instant!
There are numerous chains around the globe that have specially tailored their menu to respond to customers’ needs, offering gluten-free options, from French fries to burgers.
Within our ever-growing fast-paced world, fast food restaurants are a concern for people who have gluten intolerance or Celiac disease.
In this article, we’re going to look at various gluten-free chain restaurants that serve safe options for people who suffer from Celiac disease or gluten intolerance. Let’s take a look at some of them now.
Fast Food at Your Fingertips
McDonald’s
If you asked McDonald’s about gluten-free 20 years ago, they might have laughed at you! However, in this day and age, there are numerous options to purchase. Mcdonald’s gluten-free menu is highly impressive — one needn’t just swap their burger bun for something else. There are many things to choose from, such as:
- Salads
- McFlurry
- Smoothies
- French fries (In Canada only)
Wendy’s
Another gluten-free contender, this restaurant has an impressive menu. They have also been aware of gluten-free cooking and have practiced it for years. One can expect to find a number of options available, such as the following:
- Baked potatoes
- Meat-free salads
- Boundless burgers
- Chilli products
Arby’s
You wouldn’t believe how many items are gluten-free on this fast-food chain’s menu. These items needn’t break the bank either – a lot of them are highly affordable. Some of them are:
- Brisket
- Corned beef
- Angus steak
- Farmhouse salads
Chipotle
Undeniably, this is one of the best restaurants when you’re looking to reduce any risk of gluten cross-contamination. For one, everything is made right in front of you. Chipotle’s assembly-line and food preparation are highly impressive! Stay free of flour-based tortillas and consider some other gluten-free options, such as the following products:
- Meat
- Beans
- Rice
- Corn tortillas
- Guacamole
- A burrito bowl
- Salsa
Taco Bell
Several items on this restaurant’s menu contain no gluten whatsoever. But, beware because their website has stated that they are not in a gluten-free environment.
It is therefore advised that safety should be considered in the interest of people with celiac disease. On the whole, though, Taco Bell spots a number of gluten-free items on their menu such as the following:
- Rice and black beans
- Tostada
- Nachos
- Cheese and pintos
- Hash browns
- Power Menu Bowl (Huge hit!)
Burger King
Many items at this restaurant can be eaten as long as you take the barley away from their main dishes. However, there are also a number of other fast, gluten-free desserts and other options available, such as the following:
- Sausage patties
- Milkshakes
- Bacon
- Apple rings
- Ice cream
- Garden salads
Chick Fil A
This restaurant offers a wide and comprehensive menu of different gluten-free fast food products. Every burger is completely gluten-free if the bun is removed and many dipping sauces have also been made gluten-free. In addition to all of this, this is one of the first restaurants that created gluten-free sandwiches on their menu.
These sandwiches include some quality ingredients such as millet, quinoa, and amaranth that help them don their label. All of these are great ingredients, packed full of minerals and vitamins.
As well, there are many other things on the list that are gluten-free, including the following:
- Grilled chicken nuggets
- Fruit cups
- Spicy Southwest salad
- Grilled market salad
- Yogurt parfait
- Fries
In-N-Out Burger
Last but not least, this restaurant has a variety of cheeseburgers that do not contain any harmful bonds. In fact, a lot of people who suffer from celiac disease or gluten intolerance frequent this fast-food restaurant because they can offer protein-packed burgers that are wrapped in lettuce.
With the exception of hamburger buns, every item at In-n-Out Burger is gluten-free!
Gluten-Free for Everybody
Will you consider some of these options for yourself? We certainly hope so. Now that you’ve observed some popular fast food gluten-free restaurants, you can go forth and eat without worrying about compromising your diet and restaurant experience.
The more healthy foods you will eat, the better you will feel. This is a concept of health and well-being, not merely the absence of disease.
What advice would you give to a friend who has started a gluten-free diet to lose weight? We love to hear more. Please send us your comments below.
Author’s bio: Lucas Cappel is the number one gluten-free boy. He has been writing about food for the past 10 years. He has written numerous pieces on food and drink, including a guide on gluten-free alcohol. Lucas once participated in his county hot dog eating contest and won the first prize!
Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of only gluten-free recipes or its staff.
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