Dorms And Celiac Don't Mix

[Howdee08]

Please HELP me I'm a freshman in college living in the dorm. I can only have a mini fridge and microwave and there is no public kitchen to use per floor or otherwise. I've been gluten-free for 2 years and I'm pretty much living off of hotdog weenies and cheese I would LOVE some suggestions for 'real' food and eating out everyday just makes me gain weight and feel sad.....tips, suggestions, recipies, websites, anything to help would be a blessing.....Celiac in AgGieLaNd

[Guest Libbyk]

How about a George foreman grill? Maybe they would let you use it in a common area? you could eat veggies and meat, and grilled cheese sandwiches.

Good luck to you. If the people low on the totem pole (RAs, etc) don;t be afraid to take the issue higher, as high as you need. they are REQUIRED to help you out, just as much as if you were in a wheel chair. If you are still having a problem, maybe oyu could get the school newspaper to run an article about you, and how insensitive the school is being. nothing like bad press to make an organization re-evaluate its priorities.

let me know how it goes for you

Lib

[tarnalberry]

On thing I did while I was in college (though not gluten-free at the time) was to purchase a FarberWare electric skillet. It'll last you decades (my MIL's is 25 years old or so), and you can cook pretty much everything in a skillet, since you've got a microfridge! :-)

[Kim]

You really need to contact your university's disability liason so they will make exceptions for you. Those restrictions are inexcusable unless they are willing to prepare gluten free (and non-contaminated) meals for you.

Also, you could purchase a nice toaster oven. Mine broils and bakes just like a real oven -- just smaller. I highly recommend it. You can cook anything in it, including cakes and cookies.

Good luck. Kim.

[astyanax]

i used to eat lipton powdered chicken soup, canned soups (made in a microwave), nuts, cereal, microwave meals (i didn't know about amy's kitchen back then!), pretty much lots of dry foods that could be microwaved. i was lucky though cos i was only an hour from home so i could go home and eat whenever and my mom would send me back to school with food. outside food i used to always get eggs or rice. hmm i guess that isn't a very exhaustive list haha. sorry,if i think of more i'll post them.

[momof2]

What about making a few meals and seperate them into individual serving containers, and hopefully somewhere there is an extra freezer you can use in the dorms somewhere! You can store them there, and then pull one out and microwave it when you are ready to eat. If they don't find an extra space in a freezer somewhere...contact the disabilities liason like explained above!

[Guest ~wAvE WeT sAnD~]

Hi there!!!

I'm a college Junior--I was diagnosed in July

My advice to you is to talk to the Food Services staff at your school--start with the director, then work your way around to the cooks and student workers. Give the director LOTS of Celiac paperwork so he/she can make copies for the other employees, and always remember to keep communication lines open--when you like something, rave about it; if not, politely say so. Give them lists of maintstream gluten-free foods and store locations, too.

Wow...I don't want to overload you with info...I can provide some more, then I'll let you assess Please feel free to email or Private Message me if you have any questions:)

The most important thing: be patient with the staff--they might have never heard of celiac disease before, and it takes time for them to learn about hidden ingredients. Some of the cooks still ask me if I can have eggs!!! It's a little annoying, but I simply say that I can eat all dairy/egg products without any trouble.

I agree with Tiffany--get a George Foreman!!! I have one in the cafeteria--I cook most of my meals, and if I'm in a hurry, the FS staff will pack a meal for me.

Good Luck!!! Let me know how it works out--I know how difficult this is!

ps.--How have things been working out for you at restaurants? I'm not big on eating out anymore.

[Guest gfinnebraska]

You can order prepared meals from Open Original Shared Link ~ they look and sound wonderful ~ I have not tried them yet, but they may be perfect for your situation.