Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, oats and rye. According to RD411.com, as many as 1 in 133 adults suffer from gluten intolerance, also known as celiac disease. When folks with celiac disease eat foods with gluten it triggers an immune reaction in the small intestines that results in damage to the villi and the inability to absorb nutrients. Eating with gluten intolerance is a challenge and requires thought and planning, especially when eating out. Some fast food restaurants offer gluten-free items, but cross-contamination needs to be considered when dining out.
Dairy Queen
According to the Dairy Queen website, the company tries very hard to help people with allergies find foods they can enjoy. Gluten-free foods at Dairy Queen include vanilla and chocolate soft serve, Arctic Rush Slush--all flavors, Moolatte (excluding hazelnut), DQ fudge bar, DQ orange bar and Dilly bar. Gluten-free toppings include chocolate, hot fudge, marshmallow, butterscotch, strawberry and caramel. Gluten-free blizzard treats include Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Blizzard, Butterfinger Blizzard, Snickers Blizzard, Heath Blizzard, M & M Blizzard, Banana Split Blizzard, Hawaiian Blizzard, Tropical Blizzard, Strawberry Blizzard, and Mint M & M Blizzard.
Taco Bell
The Taco Bell website offers a spreadsheet of its menu and allergens. The only two gluten-free items on the Taco bell menu are nachos and triple layer nachos.
Chik-fil-A
The Chik--fil-A website suggests sharing their list of gluten-free foods with your physician before eating them. Gluten-free foods at Chik-fil-A include chargrilled chicken sandwich filet, chargrilled chicken garden salad, chargrilled chicken fruit salad, tortilla strips, fruit cup, side salad, coleslaw, carrot and raisin salad, yogurt parfait, bacon, egg, sausage, patty, American cheese slice, hash browns, Icedream, chocolate syrup, blueberry topping, barbecue sauce, honey mustard sauce, honey roasted BBQ sauce, Polynesian sauce, buttermilk ranch sauce, Chik-fil-A buffalo sauce, spicy dressing, blue cheese dressing, buttermilk ranch dressing, thousand island dressing, light Italian dressing, fat-free Dijon honey mustard, Caesar dressing, reduced fat raspberry vinaigrette dressing, reduced-fat berry balsamic vinaigrette dressing and Chik-fil-A sauce.
Burger King
The Burger King website presents a disclaimer that gluten content of items may vary depending on the supplier. In addition, they caution that the fried foods may be fried with foods containing gluten. Gluten-free foods at Burger King include the Whopper patty, Whopper Jr. patty, Steakhouse XT patty, Burger Shots patty, bacon slice, ham slice, Tendergrill chicken breast filet, egg omelet, tacos, French fries, sausage patty, BK fresh apple fries, salad mix, American cheese slice, chocolate, vanilla and strawberry shakes and soft serve in a cup. Many of the condiments and sauces are gluten-free, including BBQ dipping sauce, French fry sauce, Ken's honey mustard and light Italian and ranch dressings.
