Chuck E Cheese Offering GF Options in Test Markets

Posted on May 9, 2012 by Cassandra

I just read this article from the Wall Street Journal’s Market Watch on Chuck E Cheese.

The chain is going to start offering gluten-free options, pizza from Conte’s and cupcakes from Fabe’s, testing in all Minnesota locations.

According to the article:

Dining out safely remains a primary concern for food-allergic customers under strict dietary limitations. To avoid cross contamination or accidental exposure to gluten ingredients in Chuck E. Cheese’s kitchens, the personal cheese pizza, manufactured by USDA/FDA-approved, gluten-free facility Conte’s Pasta, will arrive to stores in frozen, pre-sealed packaging. The bake-in-bag pizza will remain sealed while cooked and delivered and until opened and served with a personal pizza cutter at families’ tables by the adult in charge.

Under the same procedure, gluten-free, chocolate fudge cupcakes naturally sweetened with fruits, vegetables and grains from Fabe’s All Natural Bakery will remain in pre-sealed, single-serve packaging through preparation and until opened and served at the table. To ensure high taste, integrity and quality standards are met before a national launch, testing these menu options helps Chuck E. Cheese’s deliver the same type of consistent, great-tasting food products that are expected from the leader in family entertainment and dining.

“From delivery to table, our procedures ensure that families can feel confident knowing their meal is completely within gluten-free guidelines,” said Elliott. “We’re happy we can provide a place ‘Where a Kid Can Be a Kid’ and enjoy great fun and food guilt– and gluten-free.”

This makes me happy, especially after reading about Domino’s pizza.  I didn’t post anything about it because I wasn’t sure if I could do so without getting too upset.  In case you didn’t see the news, Domino’s pizza has said they are going to be offering gluten-free pizzas EXCEPT they aren’t safe for celiacs (What research is there to show that it’s safe for the gluten sensitive?  None.).  I don’t know if they just want to be lazy and reap the benefits of opening up in the gluten-free market or what.  From the article I read, it appears that they aren’t even going to concern themselves with cross-contact in the kitchen.  At all.

What are your thoughts on Chuck E Cheese?

How about this Domino’s issue?

(Update 5/9/12 6:15 pm.  Read the second comment below for the official statement from the Gluten Intolerance Group.)

Posted in Celiac/GF News | 2 Comments

Luna GF Protein Bars

Posted on May 9, 2012 by Cassandra

Another bar added to the line up is the Luna Protein bar.  If you’re wondering “when did Luna protein bars become gluten-free?” well, the answer can be found on their website FAQs:

At the beginning of 2011 we started to transition the entire LUNA Protein line to be gluten free. To do this, Clif Bar & Company has looked at all aspects of making our bars. Our ingredient suppliers have confirmed that all ingredients are gluten free, so they contain no gluten from wheat, rye or barely. Where we make our food is capable of making a gluten free food and we test our finished products to confirm that they are gluten free.

As of March 2011, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Cookie Dough, and Chocolate Cherry Almond transitioned to be gluten free, as well. You can tell if your LUNA Protein bar is gluten free by looking at the packaging.

Luna sent me a few bars to sample.  You know, I think Corice’s favorite job is to sit on my lap at the computer and help me test products. :)

Protein bars, overall, I think, have taken a giant leap in the last few years.

The chocolate peanut butter bar has a chewy nougat center with crushed peanuts, all wrapped up in chocolate.  I swear I taste a hint of butterscotch in the cookie dough bar, though I can’t find anything on the label that would suggest it.  The chocolate mint one almost reminds me of my brownies when I get minty (although not as sweet).

Chocolate Peanut Butter, Cookie Dough, Chocolate Mint

If these were a little sweeter, you might mistake them for candy.

Corice definitely thinks they are candy.  She likes the cookie dough one the best.  I think the peanut butter is my favorite (though the cookie dough takes a close second).

If you’re interested in a study about key snacking behavior trends by Luna and the Institute for the Future, check out thepowerofsnacking.com to view the report.

I’ve seen these just about everywhere that sells any kind of protein bar, even in gas stations (there are a few times that I could have used a protein bar on the road).

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DiabetEZE / Stabilyze

Posted on May 8, 2012 by Cassandra

Gone are the days when there were no breakfast/protein/nutrition/snack/energy bars available for those who had to eat gluten-free (and good riddance to those days, too!).  When I first went gf, I could often be found munching on a Snickers bar because there wasn’t much I could take on the run.  Now, however, we have lots of options!

Innova Nutrition sent me some of their DiabetEze bars to sample.  These are high protein energy bars with 5 grams of fiber (in the chocolate peanut butter, 6 in the chocolate mint) and are low glycemic.  They are formulated for diabetics and are also gluten-free.

I’ve been eating these before heading to the gym lately.  One bar has 9 grams of fat, 170 or 180 calories, and 18 grams of carbs.  I’ve found that they help me get going and really get through my workouts, without adding that heaviness that I feel when I actually eat a real breakfast (I prefer a nutrition/energy bar in the mornings).  However, the time I ate one 4 hours before Zumba, that was not a great morning.  Burning 800 calories that far after eating 170?  Well, the math isn’t promising.  :O

These bars have a chewy inside with crispies (made of whey protein), wrapped in a nice layer of chocolate (because chocolate is good for the soul, or something like that :) ).

So how do they taste?  They’re actually really good!  There’s not a yucky aftertaste like you find with some nutrition bars.  They almost taste like candy.  In fact, Martin described the chocolate mint one as tasting like a chewy Thin Mint cookie.  The chocolate peanut butter is like a low-key version of a peanut butter cup, like something Mom would make to give you the flavor without killing you with sugar.  I <heart> the chocolate mint.

They are currently named DiabetEZE, but are going through a re-branding to the name Stabilyze.  You can find them at Costco (yay!).  Check them out on facebook and learn more about them!

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Take Action — Gluten Free Drug Labeling

Posted on May 4, 2012 by Cassandra

I want to share this email I received from the Gluten Intolerance Group:

GIG New Logo

Labeling Gluten in Drug Products — Your Help is Needed by May 8!

Celiac disease involves more than just dietary changes for life. Medications must also be evaluated for their gluten content. Many pharmaceuticals have an additional filler called an “excipient” to make a particular dosage form of the drug. These fillers are often made from corn, potato, and tapioca.

However, some are derived from wheat. The majority of drug manufacturers do not clearly label their products or packaging with information regarding the gluten content of their drug.

Labeling gluten in drug products is almost a reality. We need your help now!

Ohio Congressman Tim Ryan and New York Congresswoman Nita Lowey have introduced legislation that will require drug manufacturers to label the source of drugs’ inactive ingredients. This is huge!

To move the bill ahead we need bipartisan cosponsors by May 8!

All five of the national celiac organizations are united in support of this legislation.

We need our congressional members to have that same shared voice and put forward a bipartisan message: The safety of our constituents matters. Gluten in medicine must be labeled so individuals and their healthcare providers can make an informed, safe choice.

Take action now.

Gluten Intolerance Group
31214 124th Ave SE
Auburn, Washington 98092

253–833-6655

Posted in Awareness Campaigns, Celiac/GF News | Leave a comment

Old Foods Now Gluten-Free

Posted on May 4, 2012 by Cassandra

It’s always good to see old mainstream foods that weren’t gluten-free now being gluten-free.

I got on to my mom once last summer when she’d bought some Quaker rice cakes.  “Mom, you know those aren’t gluten-free!“
“They say gluten-free on the package.”   And they did.

Something similar happened to me today. Wouldn’t you know it, but Nathan’s hot dogs now say GLUTEN FREE right on the package.  I saw 4 different packages, and they all said it.  Make sure you check, but it looks like we have a new hot dog available.

It looks like more companies are starting to take notice, and taking out the gluten if it’s an unnecessary ingredient.

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments