Gluten Free Finds

$10 Off $50 for New Walmart Grocery Customers

As of this posting, Walmart Grocery is offering $10 off $50 to new customers when you use coupon code REALEASY. Available in select areas. Check the site for up to the minute availability.

Walmart Grocery allows you to order groceries online and pickup your entire order in store.

Walmart Grocery – promo code REALEASY

Recent Great Deals [more]:

[5 Pack] Schar Naturally Gluten Free Classic White Bread Mix

5 Pack Gluten Free Classic White Bread Mix by Schar.

Gluten-free, wheat-free, lactose-free, no preservatives, no hydrogenated oils, no trans fat.

Includes recipes for bread, pizza crust and rolls and includes gluten free yeast.

Schar Naturally Gluten-Free Classic White Bread Mix, 19-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 5)

Recent Amazon Finds [view more]:

Jarrow Formulas Methyl B-12, 60 lozenges

I take Jarrow Formulas Methyl B-12 as well Methyl Folate on a daily basis. See: A Missing Nutritional Link for Me? for some more thoughts on these supplements.

Jarrow Formulas Methylcobalamin (Methyl B12), Supports Brain Cells, 5000 mcg, 60 Lozenges

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Chick-fil-A – A Step Backwards When It Comes to Gluten Free

Chik-fil-A was one of my pre Celiac diagnosis favorite fast food restaurants. Maybe my all time favorite. I mourned the loss of being able to eat freely at CFA after being diagnosed.

After diagnosis, I was happy to learn that I had at least a couple options at Chik-fil-A including the waffle fries, grilled nuggets and a few sides. Recently, looking around Chick-fil-A’s website, I noticed a few changes.

1. Chick-fil-A no longer officially mentions which menu items contain gluten. Their allergen matrix (linked below) lists only wheat, not specifically gluten.

2. When I emailed Chick-fil-A about a list of gluten free menu items, I received the following response…

Because food allergies or intolerances can be very serious or even life threatening, Chick-fil-A believes equipping customers with ingredient information is the best way we can help. You and your physician can then make an informed decision whether any particular menu item is safe for your particular allergy or intolerance. Again, we encourage you to read through the ingredient statements we provide so you can make an informed decision. Ingredient and allergen information can be found at www.chick-fil-a.com.

Well… not so much as gluten isn’t listed in the allergen matrix. Maybe a case of a hastily sent canned response, but still, not real helpful.

3. This page… http://www.chick-fil-a.com/Food/Allergen-Gluten-Diabetic – which once contained gluten specific information is gone. It redirects to an unrelated page.

4. A list of gluten free menu items, dated March 20,2014 is still available. I received a copy when I asked customer service a second time. Compare verbiage on that with previous information…

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Here is a screenshot of the top portion of the 2014 document. In part it reads “Please note that we do not have a gluten free prep area in our kitchens” compare to a previous version…

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Here is a screenshot of the top part of this page (http://www.chick-fil-a.com/Food/Allergen-Gluten-Diabetic) – now removed for CFA’s site – from 2013. In part it says… “While we don’t have a gluten free prep area for these items, our procedures have been written to avoid cross contamination”

The more recent statement says nothing about procedures to avoid cross contamination.

5. As of this posting, a search for the term gluten on Chick-fil-A’s site yields three results – one talks about Chick-fil-A’s grilled entree lineup, another talks about kid’s meals and the final talks about organic juice boxes.

Instead of getting better at gluten free, in my opinion, Chick-fil-A seems to be getting worse. Considering their relatively simple menu and their focus on customer service, this is a big disappointment to me.

I know some people with gluten related conditions rely on CFA especially when traveling.

Chick-fil-A… Please work to make your gluten free offerings, procedures and communications better.

Update: Chick-fil-A: New Gluten Free Bun + What’s Gluten Free at Chick-fil-A

Recent Great Deals [more]:

Toaster Bag – Free & Free Shipping

That Daily Deal is offering free reusable toaster sandwich bags for free with free shipping. You can add more on for 67 cents each if you’d like. This is valid, 12/28/16 only.

Toaster bags can be handy to help protect your gluten free food from a contaminated toaster. I’m guessing you’d primarily use these when you’re on the road.

100% FREE – Reusable Toaster Sandwich Bag – Use Each Bag Up to 50 Times! These are awesome! Healthy, delicious sandwiches made VERY easily! – SHIPS FREE! One free per household, but you can add additional bags for just $0.67 cents each!

Recent Great Deals [more]:

[36] Thai Kitchen Spring Onion Noodle Bowls [GF]

36 Pack, microwavable Spring Onion Rice Noodle Bowls by Thai Kitchen. Gluten free, dairy free and vegan.

Thai Kitchen Gluten-Free Spring Onion Rice Noodle Soup Bowl, 2.4 oz. (Pack of 36)

Always check ingredients to confirm gluten free status. If in doubt, contact the manufacturer with questions.

Recent Amazon Finds [view more]:

Check Out… Gluten Free Watchdog

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About Gluten Free Watchdog:

Gluten Free Watchdog, LLC was founded by Tricia Thompson, MS, RD to make state-of-the-art gluten-free food testing data available directly to you, the consumer. Unfortunately, the Food and Drug Administration under the gluten-free labeling rule is NOT requiring manufacturers to test their labeled gluten-free foods for gluten contamination.

Contamination of naturally gluten-free grains and flours with wheat, barley, and rye is a concern to many people who must eat gluten-free. In a study conducted by Tricia Thompson, Anne Lee, and Thomas Grace, 32% of the naturally gluten-free grains and flours tested contained gluten in amounts greater than 20 parts per million. Gluten contamination can occur in the fields where food is grown, in the trucks and railcars where food is transported, and in the processing and manufacturing plants where food is made ready for the consumer. It is our hope that independently testing labeled gluten-free products and making results available to subscribers will allow you to feel more confident in the products you buy.

I started my subscription (options starting at $4.99 per mont) to Gluten Free Watchdog not long after being diagnosed with Celiac Disease. I really like the information I get. Sometimes a product that I’m directly interested in is tested. Even when I’m not interested in a specific product, I usually find test results interesting. As an example, GFW recently gluten tested a Progresso soup, that I do not eat, but… I do eat some GF Progresso varieties. So, this was interesting to me. Also, as a subscriber, you can request products. I’ve requested one product and a gluten content test showed up within a couple months. I also really enjoy the fact that someone is watching the industry and is willing and capable to call manufacturers to account.

Ways to help Gluten Free Folks and Celiac Disease Sufferers…

Subscribe to the Gluten Free Watchdog – Tricia Thompson is testing products and contacting manufacturers on our behalf.
Donate to groups looking for a cure for Celiac Disease
Use Find Me Gluten Free App to fairly review restaurants and suggest new listings

Recent Great Deals [more]:

Tip: Finding Gluten Free Sale Items at Target

Pictured: King Arthur Flour Gluten Free Chocolate Cake Mix

I’ve been a big fan of Target lately for gluten free deals. That probably stems from the fact that I recently obtained a Target REDcard. See: REDcard benefits. I opted for the debit card version but a credit card version is also available. Both versions offer… 5% off in store and online along with free shipping on pretty much everything on target.com with no minimum order.

This all means I was able to send my daugher a care package of GH Cretors Chicago Mix (certified GF) for just $3.13 (with my 5% discount) shipped to her dorm. Whammo.

Target seems to offer very similar pricing online as they do in store and many of the sales are reflected in both spots. If you don’t have a REDcard, shipping is free with most $35 orders.

This search – searches for gluten free in the grocery category. It further limits results to items available to ship and items that are on sale.

This search – has the same criteria as the previous search, but also includes items that are pick up eligible. Reserve the items you want, Target gathers them for you and you saunter in leisurely to pick them up.

This search – includes all sale items with the term gluten free including those that are available only in store.

If you run into something particularly good… Let me know. I’d love to put up your tip and let everyone know. Submit a Tip

Recent Great Deals [more]:

5.5 lbs Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Baking Flour

Case of four 22 ounce bags (5.5 lbs total) of Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1 to 1 Baking Flour by Bob’s Red Mill. Search Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free on Amazon

Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour, 22 Ounce (Pack of 4)

Always check ingredients to confirm gluten free status. If in doubt, contact the manufacturer with questions.

Recent Amazon Finds [view more]: