Celiac College Student Survey submitted June 2022
Food Service Vendor
Aramark, Sodexo
What stage are you in college?
Recent Graduate
Please describe your meal plan for each year there so far. Include if your school required any of these decisions. If you are eating in a greek house or other club type arrangement include that as well.
First-year 10 meals a week, second-year just flex dollars that could be spent at all dining locations, after that no meal plan, also no meal plan in ks for graduate school I haven't even eaten in the dining hall
How many years ago were you diagnosed with celiac?
1-3
How sensitive to gluten are you?
Moderate: React sometimes
How would you describe the worst reaction you have had since diagnosis?
Bad
Does your college handle celiac food restrictions as you expected they would when you selected your school?
Somewhat what I expected
Grade your college on feeding celiac students
B-
Explain your rationale for that grade
My first year at Kentucky was great but when covid hit, the options got a lot worse and they started restricting to only people with doctors letters, but I was mainly self diagnosed so it restricted what I could have.
Check all that apply
My school is large with many dining halls, Ability to feed me varies somewhat across dining halls, I frequent certain dining halls because they have more options although all are safe, Ability to eat well was a critical part of my college selection process, I assumed they could feed me and didn't think about it before I arrived
Did you register with your students disabilities office for accommodations? If yes, describe.
Are there resources (nutritionists, chefs, peer support groups) to help ensure you are receiving safe nutritious food? Describe
There was a Nutritionalist at Kentucky but they were difficult to get a hold of. There is a dietician at Kansas state
How many times have you been glutenized in your dining hall?
NONE
Describe your biggest celiac challenge at college and how you manage it
Socializing, so many events are set around food and I would avoid going because I knew I couldn't have the food there
If you were in charge of your school's dining, what changes would you implement to better feed celiac students? Would your school be open to these suggestions?
More options and more clear allergen labeling at all locations not just a couple. Allergy safe dining access for all regardless of if you have registered with disabilities
Did celiac impact your housing decision? How? Is there a certain dorm you recommend for celiacs? Why?
Yes, I switched to apartment style my second year so I could cook for myself, then moved off campus
Your advice to new celiac kids for managing the dining halls? Favorite dining hall(s)?
I preferred Champions to the 90 but the 90 was closer to my dorms at UK
Your advice to new celiac kids for eating in the dorm? Favorite snacks? Places that deliver?
Doordash, there's lots of local places in lexington that are good with gluten free on there like papis and pasta garage but you can also do chick fil a or chipotle in a pinch
Your advice to new celiac kids on preparing before they come? Or doing upon first arrival?
If you have the doctors note its probably best to register with disabilities. Talk to your friends about gluten and what you can't have and where you can and can't eat, usually they are willing to work plans around you if they know you
Your advice to new celiac kids on managing keg parties and alcohol scene?
White claw and other seltzers are popular at parties now and are celiac safe.
Grade your college town area for celiac friendliness
A+
Favorite places to eat in town or foodshop?
Papis is the best restaurant ever, North lime for gf donuts on Fridays, sedona taphouse is good for date nights, there's also a couple bakery options including an entirely gluten free place called gluten free miracles but their hours made it difficult for me to make it very often. In Manhattan, I'm new to the scene but it seems like there's not many local gf friendly places
Anything else you would like to add?
The gluten free lexington Facebook group is a great resource