Celiac Savvy College Cafeterias?

[yourmomma]

What college cafeterias are there that are "in the know" on celiac? Are there any that truly plan meals, lasagnas, etc. that are gluten free (as opposed to the plain chicken and steamed vegetables that you eat everywhere you go and get tired of it kind of thing...)

My son has celiacs. He'll be going to college next year. He really doesn't like to cook. I am disabled and can only cook some. My 80 year old mother-in-law has been cooking a lot for him but is now in the hospital following cancer surgery. My 6ft tall son is still only about 120 lbs (he dumped a lot of weight in two weeks time...just before we found out why). But that was two years ago.

I feel like he needs safe food fixed for him to ensure he eats enough...

He's into computer science. Thanks for any suggested colleges to feed my son!

[mommida]

Check out Amy's website. www.amys.com This food company has been trying to make it easier for college kids to eat on special diets. They have a section for college kids.

Laura

[Aprildncr]

I am a freshman at DeSales University in Center Valley PA. Its near Lehigh and Bethlehem. Its a small school but they have a lot of very good academic programs and have been great with my celiac. We contacted them ahead of time and they met with us and I let them know what I could and could not have. They have all the recipies on file and if i have any questions about the food they'll look it up in the books and tell be if I can have it. Also they went out and bought gluten free bread and pasta and cake mixes, and pancake mixes, etc. for me. If I want something that usually contains gluten I just notify them and they make me a special gluten free version of it. I had mac 'n cheese one night, chicken noodle soup another, every week they let me know they bought me a new item. They have been amazing. I don't know how bigger schools will be but it has been nice at DeSales because all the cooks know me and let me know if I cant have something and it is a first name basis with the kitchen staff with helps when dealing with trying to decide what to eat. I was afraid about eating just chicken and veggies too but I've only had that maybe once a week since I went and that was by pure choice.

[MySuicidalTurtle]

You need to talk to each school specifically. If there is a meal plan they need to provide gluten-free food or allow him the ability to make his own food. It is really just school to school on policies. At my University we do not ave meal plans nor dorms but apartments so the food thing is not an issue.

[yourmomma]

Thanks for the info. That college in PA sounds great! Are there more like that out there?

[lindseylue]

I go to Minnesota State University in Moorhead MN. The president of the university has Celiac, so the school's chefs are great about making gluten-free foods on request. And it all tastes WONDERFUL!

MSUM is fantastic when it comes to catering to dietary needs of the students. It's really easy for me to let the cafeteria know that I will be eating there and they will have a meal planned for me that's gluten-free. They do the same thing for lactose intolerance, wheat allergies, nut allergies etc as well as preparing kosher meals and bag lunches for Muslim students to take home after hours during Ramadan. I'm sure I sound like a total advertisement for the school, but I've just been so happy with my experience there I really want to tell people about it.

[lstrain]

What college cafeterias are there that are "in the know" on celiac?  Are there any that truly plan meals, lasagnas, etc. that are gluten free (as opposed to the plain chicken and steamed vegetables that you eat everywhere you go and get tired of it kind of thing...)

My son has celiacs.  He'll be going to college next year.  He really doesn't like to cook.  I am disabled and can only cook some.  My 80 year old mother-in-law has been cooking a lot for him but is now in the hospital following cancer surgery.  My 6ft tall son is still only about 120 lbs (he dumped a lot of weight in two weeks time...just before we found out why).  But that was two years ago.

I feel like he needs safe food fixed for him to ensure he eats enough...

He's into computer science.  Thanks for any suggested colleges to feed my son! 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Most colleges outsource their cafeterias. Aramark is a large company that provide cafeteria service for many colleges. So it' wouldn't be the college specifically that needed to know anything. You could contact Aramark and see what their level of knowledge is and what colleges they provide for. Of course, each cafeteria would be responsive to pressure from the college but they also answer to the corporate levels.

[canadia]

My (Canadian) university uses Aramark services, and they actually make me gluten-free meals. We also have a lot of kids on other dietary restrictions, ie. Muslim halal, vegetarians, lactose-intolerant, Jewish kosher, etc., who get their meals made by Aramark.