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

I Want To Go To College...what Should I Do?

Lilymylove

Recommended Posts

Lilymylove Newbie
Lilymylove
Posted

I just found out I have Celiacs. and I also finally found a college I would love to go to... What should I do ? Being gluten free is obviously very difficult but it is absolutely necessary. Can i do this at college? The college is a small liberal arts school and I hear Celiac Disease is under the disability act? What should I do about food in college??

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


flourgirl Apprentice
flourgirl
Posted

Hi Lilly. Where there's a will, there's a way. Celiac Disease is something you can *live* with. It's frightening at first, but the more you know, the easier it is to deal with. There are so many things that you CAN eat.....focus on that instead of what you can't. It's not always convenient, but I've found I'm much better off without pre-packaged, pre-prepared, or fast foods.

Will you be staying on-campus?, or a room near by? If you can live with kitchen facilities....especially one that you can control, would make life much easier for you at college. I know that you'll be getting some excellent advise here, and a lot of support. Good luck! :)

lovegrov Collaborator
lovegrov
Posted

Generally speaking you're probably better off at a smaller college. The college I attended (pre-celiac days) has about 1,500 students and they are now very aware of diet restrictions, including celiac. The huge places that serve thousands per meal have a very hard time keeping track of what's happening, although I know there are ones that try very hard.

It's your choice as to whether to apply and then talk to them if you're accepted or talk to them first. However, you HAVE to talk to them one way or another. I wouldn't bring up the ADA first thing. I'm no legal expert, but I'm pretty sure the ADA doesn't mean they have to guarantee gluten-free meals. They could instead just let you out of the required meal contract and deal with meals on your own.

richard

Shess0816 Apprentice
Shess0816
Posted
I just found out I have Celiacs. and I also finally found a college I would love to go to... What should I do ? Being gluten free is obviously very difficult but it is absolutely necessary. Can i do this at college? The college is a small liberal arts school and I hear Celiac Disease is under the disability act? What should I do about food in college??

Yes, you can absolutely do it in college! If you found a college you really want to go to and think you'll really enjoy, by all means do not let this stupid gluten thing hold you back! I don't know what kind of housing accomodations your school has, but if you could find someplace to live where you have a kitchen to cook in -- like a small apartment by yourself or if the dorms are apartment style. That way at least you can cook meals for yourself and make sure you get enough to eat each day. It will be harder being in college because friends will want to go out to eat and you will not always be able to eat with them, but I think you'll find that if you plan ahead and always remember to take gluten free snacks with you everywhere you go, it's definitely something you can manage! I would maybe try calling the manager for the cafeteria of the school, let them know you are considering going to that school and tell them about your dietary restrictions. Then see if they have any ways of helping you out with that. You may find that they have several other people on campus with similar situations and are able to accomodate them.

One idea for food that is really easy -- there are rice noodle bowls made by Thai Kitchen. The ones that are gluten free say gluten free on the front of the package. They are SUPER easy to make and to take with you wherever you go. All you have to do is add hot water, pour in the seasoning packets, let it sit for 5 min so the noodles soften, and its ready to eat. I take these with me on car trips and when I know we'll be going places they won't have food for me.

Lilymylove Newbie
Lilymylove
Posted
  • Author

The college only has about 400 kids attending. St. John's College. I have talked to admissions people there already and they were super nice. The college is a tightly knit community. The campus is in Annapolis Maryland though and I don't know if the college would be able to accommodate me as far as a dorm with a kitchen.

happygirl Collaborator
happygirl
Posted

Here is some info that may be helpful to you and/or your college. Other colleges deal with gluten free students very well. Good luck!

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

emili1242 Newbie
emili1242
Posted

hello!

i thought i would share my advice as someone who is currently in college and dealing with celiac. i actually go to college in towson, md...im not quite sure how far that it from annapolis. anyway, i was diagnosed at the beginning of this semster, so ive been working on how to deal with it. I dont have a kitchen in my room, but I do have a stove and oven in the dorm common room (most colleges have this). I brought my own pots and pans from home and i have a supply of different gluten free foods that i can cook for myself. I highly recommend doing something like this, because as helpful as the dining service can be, there is always a chance of cross contamination or someone not knowing exactly what is in the food. Ive already been glutened a few times just because a cook didnt really know what was in the food. im not going to lie, its hard to do, but its not impossible. im on the lowest possible meal plan my school offers so that i can cook some of my own meals and not waste money. My friends are good about going out to eat and they try to pick restaurants they know i can go to. i would just recommend talking to your dining service about celiac to make sure they know you have it and you have very specific dietary restrictions. and like i said before try to bring pots and pans so you have the option of cooking yourself.

good luck with college!

emily

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


kera87 Newbie
kera87
Posted

You can absolutely do it in college, I just graduated after getting diagnosed 2 and a half years ago. The thing I can't stress enough is to be open and honest to everyone. Talk to the cafeteria staff as soon as you know you will be attending so they can help you plan out meals. They will be able to accomidate you, they have to! Be honest to new friends, the sooner they know, the more normal it will become to them - before you know it they'll be picking you up everything gluten-free they see haha. (my friend once got me gluten-free parmasean cheese from the grocery store she saw...so random but so thoughtful haha).

I would suggest asking for a dorm that has a kitchen, maybe you could get an apartment on campus? If not don't worry...you'll have a microwave in your room im sure, and you can stock up on lots of frozen dinners like Amy's. I didn't live in a dorm when I was diagnosed but if I did my parents said they would have bought me my own fridge/freezer and a microwave which is the best idea.

I'm not sure if you will be drinking/going out to dinner at all but those are probably going to be the most annoying things. Suggest restuarants you know will have something you can eat...if not, a lot of restuarants will have things like rice, mashed potatos, baked potatos and meat - just ask for things unseasoned and plain. You'll be fine, I promise :)

jeharries Newbie
jeharries
Posted

I am in graduate school now, at Brandeis University in MA. The store where you can buy food there actually stocks gluten free frozen food (amy's and others) as well as other items that are clearly labeled gluten free. I also heard that the school has accommodated kids w/celiac before in terms of taking them to buy special food when there was nothing in the dining halls, etc. I would think a smaller school would DEFINITELY work with you.

Kylie Explorer
Kylie
Posted

I have had Celiac my entire college career and have always found a way to make it work. I have a team of personal chefs on campus that deal only with kids with food allergies and I eat better at school than I do at home. I lived in a dorm both my freshman and sophomore years without a personal kitchen and made it work. We had a dorm kitchen that was disgusting, but it did cook food. I live in an apartment now and I still eat lunch on campus every day because I love the food. I am registered in the Office of Disabilities for my Celiac and for a neurological disorder that I have and it was an easy process. The people in ODS are really there to help you. I live in the boonies (Harrisonburg, VA) and I have found natural food stores and a local grocery store that carries gluten free food. I'm sure in Annapolis they can accomodate you. Have fun, Annapolis is wonderful, will always be a USNA girl at heart!

  • 2 weeks later...
Fitze082 Newbie
Fitze082
Posted
I have had Celiac my entire college career and have always found a way to make it work. I have a team of personal chefs on campus that deal only with kids with food allergies and I eat better at school than I do at home. I lived in a dorm both my freshman and sophomore years without a personal kitchen and made it work. We had a dorm kitchen that was disgusting, but it did cook food. I live in an apartment now and I still eat lunch on campus every day because I love the food. I am registered in the Office of Disabilities for my Celiac and for a neurological disorder that I have and it was an easy process. The people in ODS are really there to help you. I live in the boonies (Harrisonburg, VA) and I have found natural food stores and a local grocery store that carries gluten free food. I'm sure in Annapolis they can accomodate you. Have fun, Annapolis is wonderful, will always be a USNA girl at heart!

Talk to the person in control of the dining on campus. They have become more knowledgable and cooperative. Most colleges also have nutritionists available. Maybe not a smaller ones thu. I was looking into a school in Oregon and on their site it listed gluten as one of the top allergies and who to contact about your allergies. I would check out the school's website and if that isnt helpful talk to the counselor and they can point you in the right direction

Archived

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

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,912
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    westman3d
    Newest Member
    westman3d
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Rogol72
      Help I’m cross contaminating myself,

      By Rogol72 · Posted

      @klmgarland, My dermatitis herpetiformis didn't clear up until I became meticulous about cross contamination. I cut out gluten-free oats and all gluten-free foods, dairy and gluten-free rice. Additionally, getting the right amount of protein for my body weight helped significantly in my body's healing process ... along with supplementing with enough of all the vitamins and minerals ... especially Zinc and Magnesium. I went from 70kg to 82kg in a year. Protein with each meal 3 times daily, especially eggs at breakfast made the difference. I'm not sure whether iodine was a problem for me, but I can tolerate iodine no problem now. I'm off Dapsone and feel great. Not a sign of an itch. So there is hope. I'm not advocating for the use of Dapsone, but it can bring a huge amount of relief despite it's effect on red blood cells. The itch is so distracting and debilitating. I tried many times to get off it, it wasn't until I implemented the changes above and was consistent that I got off it. Dermatitis Herpetiformis is horrible, I wouldn't wish it on anyone.  
    • klmgarland
      Help I’m cross contaminating myself,

      By klmgarland · Posted

      Thank you so very much Scott.  Just having someone understand my situation is so very helpful.  If I have one more family member ask me how my little itchy skin thing is going and can't you just take a pill and it will go away and just a little bit of gluten can't hurt you!!!! I think I will scream!!
    • Scott Adams
      Help I’m cross contaminating myself,

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      It is difficult to do the detective work of tracking down hidden sources of cross-contamination. The scenarios you described—the kiss, the dish towel, the toaster, the grandbaby's fingers—are all classic ways those with dermatitis herpetiformis might get glutened, and it's a brutal learning curve that the medical world rarely prepares you for. It is difficult to have to deal with such hyper-vigilance. The fact that you have made your entire home environment, from makeup to cleaners, gluten-free is a big achievement, but it's clear the external world and shared spaces remain a minefield. Considering Dapsone is a logical and often necessary step for many with DH to break the cycle of itching and allow the skin to heal while you continue your detective work; it is a powerful tool to give you back your quality of life and sleep. You are not failing; you are fighting an incredibly steep battle. For a more specific direction, connecting with a dedicated celiac support group (online or locally) can be invaluable, as members exchange the most current, real-world tips for avoiding cross-contamination that you simply won't find in a pamphlet. You have already done the hardest part by getting a correct diagnosis. Now, the community can help you navigate the rest. If you have DH you will likely also want to avoid iodine, which is common in seafoods and dairy products, as it can exacerbate symptoms in some people. This article may also be helpful as it offers various ways to relieve the itch:  
    • Scott Adams
      My only proof

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      It's very frustrating to be dismissed by medical professionals, especially when you are the one living with the reality of your condition every day. Having to be your own advocate and "fight" for a doctor who will listen is an exhausting burden that no one should have to carry. While that 1998 brochure is a crucial piece of your personal history, it's infuriating that the medical system often requires more contemporary, formal documentation to take a condition seriously. It's a common and deeply unfair situation for those who were diagnosed decades ago, before current record-keeping and testing were standard. You are not alone in this struggle.
    • Scott Adams
      Methylprednisone treatment for inflammation?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Methylprednisolone is sometimes prescribed for significant inflammation of the stomach and intestines, particularly for conditions like Crohn's disease, certain types of severe colitis, or autoimmune-related gastrointestinal inflammation. As a corticosteroid, it works by powerfully and quickly suppressing the immune system's inflammatory response. For many people, it can be very effective at reducing inflammation and providing rapid relief from symptoms like pain, diarrhea, and bleeding, often serving as a short-term "rescue" treatment to bring a severe flare under control. However, experiences can vary, and its effectiveness depends heavily on the specific cause of the inflammation. It's also important to be aware that while it can work well, it comes with potential side effects, especially with longer-term use, so it's typically used for the shortest duration possible under close medical supervision. It's always best to discuss the potential benefits and risks specific to your situation with your gastroenterologist.
×
×
  • 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.