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GFF College Dining Survey Responses
Harvard College
Cambrige
Massachusetts
Survey Date:
Jan 23, 2020
Survey 1 of 1
Student:
Freshman
With:
Celiac Disease
Student's Summary Assessment:
College Dining:
C
Surrounding Area:
A
Rationale for Grades Given
Food is not labeled, and gluten free entrees are not offered every day. There is an app you can use to check ingredient lists, but it doesn't say anything about gluten free so you have to use your best judgement. It is time consuming and not always clear.
Cambridge and Boston have many shops and restaurants which offer gluten free food.
Details About this Student's Food Restrictions
How many years ago were you diagnosed with food allergies or celiac disease?
5+
If you indicated celiac or gluten intolerance, how sensitive are you to gluten?
Moderate: React sometimes
Add details to help us better understand your food restrictions (e.g. sensitivity level, potential reaction, need for EPI pen)
I was diagnosed with celiac when I was 4 years old. I often have stomach aches when I eat in the dining hall a lot, but I'm not sure if that's from gluten or just from an unhappy stomach. When I eat at home or at my favorite restaurants, I don't get a stomach ache.
Details About this Student's College Dining Experience
Does your college handle food restrictions as you expected when you decided to attend?
Mostly not what I expected
Have you had a reation from eating in your dining hall?
NO
If Yes, describe each incident and how your school responded
Did you register your food restriction with the disabilities office? If yes, describe
Yes, I registered with the Accessible Education Office.
Are there resources to help with nutritious, safe dining (e.g. dietician)? If yes, describe
No nutritionist and no single point person who can answer all questions.
If you were in charge of dining, what would you change? Would your school be open to suggestions?
Gluten free food should be labeled as such, and there should be a gluten free main course at every meal.
Describe your biggest challenge managing your food restrictions at college and how you deal with it
It is hard to find safe, filling, and nutritionally balanced gluten free food on campus, so I eat off campus a lot.
Advice for Incoming Students:
Housing:
Did your food restrictions impact your housing decisions? Any dorm recommendations
Harvard offers no alternative to the meal plan. You can sometimes get a single dorm room if you have a severe nut allergy.
Dining Halls:
Any advice for managing dining halls? Favorite dining halls? Any to avoid?
All dining halls serve the same food, but I can only pre-order food at the freshman dining hall. Even there, pre-ordering is problematic.
Meal Plans:
Describe your meal plans over the year(s). What's mandatory? Any suggestions?
There is only one meal plan option at Harvard.
Dorms:
Any advice for eating in the dorms? Favorite snacks? Places that deliver?
I got a mini-fridge for my dorm room and I buy snacks off campus.
Getting Started:
What should students do before school starts or when they first arrive?
Register with AEO.
Socializing:
Advice on managing parties or dinners out with friends?
That is not a major concern.
Other:
Any other advice or comments?
Thank you for listening!
Meal Plans:
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