For Dining Services, I highly recommend setting up a meeting with a dietitian if the school has one and with the manager/ head chef of the dining hall(s) you will be frequenting most often. Putting a face to a name will make a big difference in helping you get foods that you need AND that you like! Most of the dining halls are run by an outside vendor such as Aramark, and they have a large list of products they can order to have in their dining hall. So if you want it, just ask! The worst they can say is no. For Residential Life, you should reach out to the Residence Hall Director and your Resident Assistant (RA). Let them know of your restrictions so they can prepare for you. When I was an RA, I always made a point to find out which residents had dietary restrictions so I could plan for them at events- but not everyone is as proactive as me! So make sure you take the steps to notify them in advance.
INFORM YOUR ROOMMATES It may feel really awkward to have this conversation with someone, potentially before you’ve ever even met them. But if you take the time in advance to explain your disease, what the restrictions are like, and what you’ll need to do in your shared space, then you’ll avoid some difficult move-in day conversations. Move-in day is already stressful enough! Take care of it ahead of time.
GET REALLY USED TO PLANNING The major key to success in managing a dietary restriction in college is to PLAN AHEAD everyday. I will admit that I’m the worst at this sometimes but it’s so much safer if you plan out what you’re going to eat that day, where you’re going to do that, and if you’ll need to pack snacks to get you through the day. You avoid ending up in situations where you are hungry without any safe options. This even extends to going out at night. Will there be gluten free options at the restaurant/bar that
your friends are going to? If not, are you okay with eating ahead or not having a drink? Either decision is totally fine, but it’s important to think about how you feel before getting into situations where you have no longer have a choice.
LET YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY KNOW HOW THEY CAN SUPPORT YOU There are lots of care packages out there for college students but few that have gluten free options. My parents sent me Edible Arrangements during exam weeks because my sweet tooth was always begging for chocolate covered strawberries. But there are other options! A quick and easy one is to have family or friends use Amazon Pantry to put together a box of some of your favorite snacks. If you’re a stress baker like me, Scratch and Grain Baking Co. makes easy baking kits to let you have your stress baking and stress eating too! There are also a number of gluten free monthly subscription boxes too such as Love with Food for more snack-y foods or if you want pre-made meals, you can do something like Freshly.
TRY TO RELAX! Last but certainly not least, RELAX! Once the planning is all done ahead of time, TAKE A DEEP BREATH. My biggest piece of advice to anyone applying or going to college is to not make your decision based on your disease. The place you go to college needs to be the place that you fit in best and the rest will all fall in place. Your college experience really does not need to be defined by your dietary restrictions, mine sure wasn’t. You can eat safely just about anywhere, you just have to find the right balance between preparation in advance and some flexibility. Every day won’t be great but most will be! You’ll even have fun gluten free adventures that will turn into the best memories - ask my friends who trekked out with me in the middle of winter at 11 pm to find gluten free chocolate cake! Prepare. Relax. Enjoy! ◆ 35