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GFF College Dining Survey Responses
University of Iowa
Iowa City
Iowa
Survey Date:
Sep 15, 2023
Survey 1 of 2
Student:
Freshman
With:
Celiac Disease
Student's Summary Assessment:
College Dining:
A-
Surrounding Area:
B+
Rationale for Grades Given
Mostly good, but sometimes feel a little short handed
No dedicated gluten free restaurants, but a few restaurants with gluten free options.
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?
Extremely: React to even small traces
Add details to help us better understand your food restrictions (e.g. sensitivity level, potential reaction, need for EPI pen)
Celiac: reaction non GI symptoms, but extreme joint and muscle pain, extreme fatigue, migraines, brain fog, out of school for 2 weeks but struggling for about 2 months after eating gluten
Details About this Student's College Dining Experience
Does your college handle food restrictions as you expected when you decided to attend?
Mostly 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
I did, I asked for a dorm accommodation to be close to the dining hall with gluten free food but they wouldn’t provide that accommodation.
Are there resources to help with nutritious, safe dining (e.g. dietician)? If yes, describe
Yes, food station in one dining hall that’s complete allergen free. And in other dining halls you can make a request for gluten free options.
If you were in charge of dining, what would you change? Would your school be open to suggestions?
Be able to order gluten free food ahead of time for non allergen free dining station, bc it takes longer. Sometimes in the allergen station the food options don’t feel well thought out but just random things they had leftover.
Describe your biggest challenge managing your food restrictions at college and how you deal with it
The biggest challenge is when the dining halls will have weird hours, and then there are no options for me to eat and it’s very frustrating
Advice for Incoming Students:
Housing:
Did your food restrictions impact your housing decisions? Any dorm recommendations
Yes. I wanted a dining hall near the dining with allergen free station. I would recommend at U Iowa getting a dorm near Burge
Dining Halls:
Any advice for managing dining halls? Favorite dining halls? Any to avoid?
Burge Dining hall is my favorite they have the most options, the others have very limited options (chicken tenders, grilled cheese, French fries)
Meal Plans:
Describe your meal plans over the year(s). What's mandatory? Any suggestions?
I got the unlimited meal plan
Dorms:
Any advice for eating in the dorms? Favorite snacks? Places that deliver?
I snuck in a toaster in my dorm and that helps a lot, I usually eat breakfast in my room and have bagels. Its a little more difficult getting gluten free food in Iowa City, because the target here is small, but if you drive about 10 minutes away there are more stores with more options
Getting Started:
What should students do before school starts or when they first arrive?
Buy your favorite snacks, mini fridge with a freezer is a must(especially with gluten free food)
Socializing:
Advice on managing parties or dinners out with friends?
I would research which alcohols are gluten free, avoid “jungle juice” because you never really know what’s in it, try and stick to canned drinks that have labels on them, most parties have gluten free seltzers.I always bring a Fanny pack with a couple of granola bars just in case they don’t have snacks for me. Dinner in the dining halls is usually the best option. Be open with your friends about your diet restrictions, it feels a little awkward but most people are understanding
Other:
Any other advice or comments?
Meal Plans:
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