College
is supposed to be an educational experience, preparing you for the wonderful
life awaiting you beyond the walls of academia, but let’s be honest. Most look
forward to a fun time with new friends, in a new environment with a new way of
life called independence.
Pizza
parties late at night, a burger on the run or just maybe when no one was
looking an illicit beer or two from an upper classman are a few of the many
things that make up college life. Oh yeah! There are those study groups too,
but still a social scene nevertheless.
Being
away from home for the first time and rooming with one or more people you
hardly know while trying to learn the ropes of which professor to sign up for
which class can be a little daunting. I can tell you right now; this country
girl was overwhelmed during those first few days at The University of
Montevallo, especially when my history professor made the proclamation at the
beginning of our first class that she was “married” to history. I knew I, as in
the entire class, was in trouble.
Many
freshmen experience a bout or two of homesickness, particularly when they get
that first test back with a grade somewhat lower than what they had been
accustomed to receiving in high school. Rooming situations sometimes do not
work out as well as anticipated, or that love of your life from the year before
finds someone new.
That
eagerly anticipated first taste of freedom away from the watchful eye of
parents can prove to be rather lonely, especially before a new routine is
established and new friendships begin to blossom. When you throw a monkey
wrench, such as Celiac disease, or any severe food allergy or sensitivity for
that matter, into the mix, the long awaited college scene can suddenly become a
nightmare—a dangerous nightmare.
Anyone
with food allergies or sensitivities may begin to feel very isolated and set
apart from the remainder of the folks around them. Spontaneous stops with
friends at local hot spots become dreaded experiences.
Navigating
the food waters of a college campus really should begin months prior to
“move-in” day. So, just what can students (and their parents) do to ensure safe
food and a good college experience. Here is a cursory list to get you started
in the right direction.
- Get a letter from you
doctor explaining your food allergic, sensitivity or disease, such as
Celiac. Ask you physician to include what is required to meet your needs.
This is especially important if you are planning to live in a dorm and eat
most of your meals on campus.
- Develop a chef’s card (click link to our Chef's Card) explaining your particular dietary restrictions and what needs to be done
in the preparation of your food to keep you safe. Also, include what
happens if these requests are not met. Have the cards printed on brightly
colored, as in neon, card stock. Try to keep the size to that of a post
card.
- Wear a medical alert bracelet
stating your food problem, such as Celiac, gluten intolerant, peanut
allergy or whatever. Keep it on at all times.
- Register with the
office of disability services. Yes, the office of disability services—this
office can help make your requirements heard and your needs met.
- You will also want to
make sure to talk directly with the head of food services and the campus
dietician.
- Since most Celiacs,
gluten intolerant and those with most any food allergy will accidentally
ingest the very thing they do not need to eat, the director of the student
health center director needs to know about your health concerns and
dietary restrictions in the event you do get sick.
- Tell everyone about
your dietary problems. Get as many people involved with your health care
as possible. Roommates, friends, the resident advisor or landlord, your
professors and anyone else willing to listen so that they can help you
avoid problems and know how to help you if you do get sick.
- If sharing a kitchen,
ask your roommates to store their food on the bottom shelves so that if
something leaks or fall, your food does not get contaminated. Have your own pots, pans and utensils. Label
everything that belongs to you as gluten free.
- If living in a dorm,
seek special permission to have a hot plates, refrigerator and toaster
oven so that you can prepare you own foods.
- Stock up on dorm
friendly foods such as gluten free snack foods, granola and energy bars
such as Kinds fresh fruits, cheese, peanut butter and deli meats from
brand’s such as Boar’s Head. When purchasing deli meats, give the clerk
one of your Chef’s Cards and demand the machine be cleaned BEFORE slicing
your meat or cheese.
- Download apps for
your smart phone or iPad that will help you navigate the gluten infested
waters of buying food or eating in restaurants. Take these with you,
especially when shopping for food. Mark websites that list terms commonly
used that indicate the presence of gluten
- Purchase groceries
during on weekdays during normal business hours so that you can call
companies about products. Ask these questions:
- Does this product
contain any ingredient that may contain gluten or any derivative of
wheat?
- Was this product
processed in a plant that also processes wheat, barley, rye or oats?
- Was this product
processed on shared equipment?
My
best advice to students facing navigating college while coping with a
restrictive diet is to hold your head high and stand your ground! Let’s face
it; if you have eaten something that makes you sick, there is no fun to be had.
Even worse, some allergies such as peanut could lead to death.
You will enjoy college life
so much more and make better grades to boot if you stick to your food regimen.
Author: Dr. Jacquelyn P. Horne
Copyright: 2013
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