Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

First Time With Catered Food

Googles

By Googles
in Coping with Celiac Disease

Recommended Posts

Googles Community Regular
Googles
Posted

I am starting a graduate program. The introduction to the department starts with a lunch meal. I am almost positive that it is going to be catered by the university dining services. I know that I should contact the department to make sure who is catering it and then contact them about my food (or bring my own). This is my first time having to do something like this as I was recently diagnosed. I know that I am going to have to have a discussion at some point with the department as I am going to be there for two years and it will need to happen sooner or later. However, I'm nervous about being seen as demanding and needing special treatment. I was hoping people could give me encouragement and/or advice about having to do this. I just really like to blend in. I will thank you before you give any advice as I am moving tomorrow and don't know exactly when I'll be back on line. :)

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


The Fluffy Assassin Enthusiast
The Fluffy Assassin
Posted
I am starting a graduate program. The introduction to the department starts with a lunch meal. I am almost positive that it is going to be catered by the university dining services. I know that I should contact the department to make sure who is catering it and then contact them about my food (or bring my own). This is my first time having to do something like this as I was recently diagnosed. I know that I am going to have to have a discussion at some point with the department as I am going to be there for two years and it will need to happen sooner or later. However, I'm nervous about being seen as demanding and needing special treatment. I was hoping people could give me encouragement and/or advice about having to do this. I just really like to blend in. I will thank you before you give any advice as I am moving tomorrow and don't know exactly when I'll be back on line. :)

Just be nice and polite. You aren't being demanding or needing special treatment; your body is. Also, you're not likely to be the first celiac at this university, so hopefully they're already prepared for the contingency. Many university dining services are contracted out to Aramark. I couldn't find anything about Aramark gluten free dining halls, but they are the ones behind the gluten free stand at Coors Field (Denver major league baseball park) which is at least promising.

wschmucks Contributor
wschmucks
Posted

Just tell them that due to a health condition you have a strict diet and your meals should consist of a plain piece of meat baked, and steamed veggies. Tell them that is very important that there are no added ingredients or as you may have an immediate reaction :-) I usually say i'll go into anaphylactic shock, which is a total lie but it gets the job done.

I have found it is best to tell them what you can have instead of what you cant, and to keep it as simple as possible so you can tell if they followed directions. If there is anything on your meat you will know before you eat it, same with the veggies. Tell them any animal meat/ fish will work and any fresh veggie. It might not be your new favorite meal, but its healthy and you wont get sick. Also it never hurts to make friends with the people who are responsible for cooking the food and make sure to show them how greatful you are for their help.

MDRB Explorer
MDRB
Posted

I agree with just being nice and polite about it. In my experience catering companies are usually well aware of most dietary requirements. They usually have a standard meal for each specific diet eg. if you are vegetarian they will give you pasta, if you are gluten intolerant they will usually give you a steak and vegies. But if you are vegetarian and have celiac disease they will get confused and have no idea what to do with you...Grrr...anyway, that's just my little rant. I'm sure they have experience with celiac disease and you will get a suitable meal. You may come across problems with the waiters on the day so its best to tell the host (if there is one) when you arrive and confirm each course is gluten free before you touch it. Good luck!

ang1e0251 Contributor
ang1e0251
Posted

You wouldn't think a diabetic was being demanding if they asked for a diabetic meal, would you? The other posters are correct that a polite and courteous demeanor will go a long way for you. If you act like it's standard for you to ask this, they will assume it is and accomodate you.

It is uncomfortable the first time you have to do this but it won't be so bad. Soon it will be old hat and you will be posting to other newbies how you handle these type of situations. Knock 'em dead!

lovegrov Collaborator
lovegrov
Posted

"I usually say i'll go into anaphylactic shock, which is a total lie but it gets the job done."

I personally think it's a bad idea to lie about what celiac entails. Also, you'll eventually run into a place that will just flat out refuse to serve you because they don't want to take the chance they might kill you.

richard

lovegrov Collaborator
lovegrov
Posted
I am starting a graduate program. The introduction to the department starts with a lunch meal. I am almost positive that it is going to be catered by the university dining services. I know that I should contact the department to make sure who is catering it and then contact them about my food (or bring my own). This is my first time having to do something like this as I was recently diagnosed. I know that I am going to have to have a discussion at some point with the department as I am going to be there for two years and it will need to happen sooner or later. However, I'm nervous about being seen as demanding and needing special treatment. I was hoping people could give me encouragement and/or advice about having to do this. I just really like to blend in. I will thank you before you give any advice as I am moving tomorrow and don't know exactly when I'll be back on line. :)

I'd just go ahead and face it. And you might be pleasantly surprised about the caterer. The one that's used the most on the campus where i work knows all about gluten already.

richard

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


BethanyGraves Newbie
BethanyGraves
Posted

Your best bet is to start by simply inquiring about what foods will be served. There is likely to be a natural point in the conversation where you could introduce your needs into the conversation (like: "Thank you for giving me all of this useful information. I have an intolerance to wheat/gluten and I wanted to be sure of the menu before attending..." etc etc).

There are so many gluten free foods, that department shouldn't have any issues providing easy choices for you and other gluten intolerant folks.

Good luck!

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. Ginger38
      - Ginger38 replied to Ginger38's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      4

      Shingles - Could It Be Related to Gluten/ Celiac

      It has been the most terrible illness ever! Going on 3 weeks now… I had chicken pox as a kid… crazy how much havoc this dormant virus has caused after being reactivated! No idea what even caused it to fire back up. I’m scared this pain and sensitivity is just never going to improve or go away
    2. Mari
      - Mari replied to Jmartes71's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      18

      My only proof

      OKJmartes. Skin and eyes. Also anxiety and frustration. I have read that Celiacs have more skin problems than people who do not have Celiacs. I take increased levels of Vit. D3, very high levels of B12 and an eating part of an avocado every day. KnittyKitty and others here can add what they take for skin health. A Dermatologist might identify the type of...
    3. Ginger38
      - Ginger38 replied to Xravith's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      2

      Challenges eating gluten before biopsy

      I refused to do the gluten challenge for a long time because I knew how sick I would be: I have always had and still have positive antibodies and have so many symptoms my GI was 💯 sure I would have a positive biopsy. I didn’t want to make myself sick to get a negative biopsy and be more confused by all this. He couldn’t guarantee me a negative biopsy meant ...
    4. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to Xravith's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      2

      Challenges eating gluten before biopsy

      It's completely understandable to struggle with the gluten challenge, especially when it impacts your health and studies so significantly. Your experience of feeling dramatically better without gluten is a powerful clue, whether it points to celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity. It's very wise of you and your doctor to pause the challenge until...
    5. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to emzie's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      2

      Stomach hurts with movement

      It's smart that you're seeing the gastroenterologist tomorrow. While it's possible this is a severe and persistent inflammatory reaction to gluten, the fact that the pain is movement-dependent and localized with tenderness is important for your specialist to hear. It could indeed be significant inflammation, but it's also worth ruling out other overlapping...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      132,466
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Mike G Army EOD
    Newest Member
    Mike G Army EOD
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Ginger38
      Shingles - Could It Be Related to Gluten/ Celiac

      By Ginger38 · Posted

      It has been the most terrible illness ever! Going on 3 weeks now… I had chicken pox as a kid… crazy how much havoc this dormant virus has caused after being reactivated! No idea what even caused it to fire back up. I’m scared this pain and sensitivity is just never going to improve or go away 
    • Mari
      My only proof

      By Mari · Posted

      OKJmartes. Skin and eyes. Also anxiety and frustration. I have read that Celiacs have more skin problems than people who do not have Celiacs. I take increased levels of Vit. D3, very high levels of B12 and an eating part of an avocado every day. KnittyKitty and others here can add what they take for skin health. A Dermatologist might identify the type of skin condition. By eyes you may mean eyesight problems not just irritated, red eyes. It is not very difficult to get a diagnosis of which eye condition is affecting your vision but much more difficult to find an effective remedy. The ophthalmologists I have seen have been only a little helpful. There seems to have been some advances in eye treatments that most of them are completely ignorant of or just won't add to their treatment plans.  Forcertain you may as well buy some remedy from a facebook ad but that is obviously risky and may actually damafe your eyes. However it is known that certain supplements , taken at the effectivelevels do help with eyesight. Two of them are Luten and zanthamin (spelling?)and certain anti-oxidants such as bilberry..    Hope this helps.
    • Ginger38
      Challenges eating gluten before biopsy

      By Ginger38 · Posted

      I refused to do the gluten challenge for a long time because I knew how sick I would be: I have always had and still have positive antibodies and have so many symptoms my  GI was 💯 sure I would have a positive biopsy. I didn’t want to make myself sick to get a negative biopsy and be more confused by all this.  He couldn’t guarantee me a negative biopsy meant no celiac bc there may not be damage yet or it’s possible to miss biopsies where there’s damage but he was so sure and convinced me I needed that biopsy I went back on gluten. It was a terrible experience! I took pictures of the bloating and swelling and weight gain during the challenge. I gained 9 pounds, looked pregnant, was in pain , couldn’t work or function without long naps and the brain fog was debilitating. And in the end he didn’t get a positive biopsy… so I wish I had never wasted my time or health going through it. I haven’t been truly straightened  out since and I am currently battling a shingles infection at 43 and I can’t help but wonder if the stress I put my body under to try and get an official diagnosis has caused all this. Best of luck to you - whatever you decide. It’s not a fun thing to go through and I still don’t have the answers I was looking for 
    • Scott Adams
      Challenges eating gluten before biopsy

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      It's completely understandable to struggle with the gluten challenge, especially when it impacts your health and studies so significantly. Your experience of feeling dramatically better without gluten is a powerful clue, whether it points to celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity. It's very wise of you and your doctor to pause the challenge until your holidays, prioritizing your immediate well-being and exams. To answer your questions, yes, it is possible for blood tests to be negative initially and become positive later as the disease progresses, which is why the biopsy remains the gold standard. Many, many people find the gluten challenge incredibly difficult due to the return of debilitating symptoms, so you are certainly not alone in that struggle. Wishing you the best for your exams and for obtaining clearer answers when you're able to proceed.
    • Scott Adams
      Stomach hurts with movement

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      It's smart that you're seeing the gastroenterologist tomorrow. While it's possible this is a severe and persistent inflammatory reaction to gluten, the fact that the pain is movement-dependent and localized with tenderness is important for your specialist to hear. It could indeed be significant inflammation, but it's also worth ruling out other overlapping issues that can affect those with celiac disease. Is it possible you got some gluten in your diet somehow? This could be a possible trigger. Hopefully, tomorrow's appointment will provide clearer answers and a path to relief so you can get back to your lectures and enjoy your weekend. Wishing you all the best for the consultation.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.