Going to college soon or have a gluten free kid who’s about to make the leap to higher education?
If so, one of the most important factors to base your college decision, especially if you’re Celiac or have a gluten allergy, is their dining hall and allergy accommodations.
As if getting into college wasn’t stressful enough, making new friends, and living on your own hard enough, find a school that accommodates the gluten free diet and other allergies that you may have has never been more important
Thankfully, with the emergence of food allergy awareness, schools and universities have been becoming growingly accommodating.
Enjoy and let’s get started.
Gluten Free in College 101
Below, you’ll find a short mini guide to help you choose the perfect gluten free college as well as helping you live the best gluten free lifestyle possible once you’re on campus.
Campus Visits – What to Look For During Your University Tour
Here are a few things you should definitely do when you’re still choosing a school, or better, actually on a tour at a desired school.
1. Stop by and visit the school’s dining hall, including any additional dining locations (food courts, Student Stamp, etc.)
2. Register at the Office of Student Disabilities. Find out more details here.
3. Reach out to the head of student dining services to see if they have any gluten free options. Better, have a meeting with them to receive further information.
4. Have lunch in the dining hall. What better way to evaluate a schools gluten free dining choices and accommodations than actually eating there.
5. Search forums and college review sites to see if people are discussing the gluten free options on campus.
6. Search for any gluten free (or allergy related) groups or student-run organization on campus.
7. Although some school dormitories do allow microwaves, some don’t so always ask to see if you’re allowed to have your own. Worse case, you’ll probably have to use the community one in your dorm.
8. Explore outside dining options to see if there are any restaurants that have gluten free menus and options.
Living Gluten Free On Campus
Okay, now that you chose your dream school, let’s shift the focus to living on campus. Here are a few things you should definitely consider doing.
1. Don’t get the drunk munchies and accidentally gluten yourself.
2. Stock up on fresh fruits.
3. Have a stash of non-perishables gluten free items in your dorm. Items such as gluten free cereals, crackers, chips, protein bars, candy, etc.
4. Stock a bunch of gluten free frozen meals in your mini-fridge. You never know when there’s a day when the school dining hall is closed for no reason.
5. Have your own stash of gluten free liquors, beer, alcohol and wine. I mean common, it is college. Be sure to use this gluten free alcohol list as reference, it’s incredible.
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Okay so now hopefully you’ll be able to live the perfect gluten free lifestyle on campus as well as make the best college decision possible.
Thanks for reading!
Cheers.
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