GFF College Dining Survey Responses

University of North Carolina at Wilmington

Wilmington

North Carolina

Colleges

Survey Date:

Nov 6, 2023

Survey 1 of 1

Student:

Recent Grad

With:

Celiac Disease

Student's Summary Assessment:

College Dining:

B-

Surrounding Area:

C+

Rationale for Grades Given

Fairly good options at dining halls, but no quick “on the go” foods available. I could never run in somewhere and grab something quick to eat on my way to my next class. Most restaurants and convenience stores on campus offer little or no gluten free options. Also not very good breakfast options.

Most of the time when I eat on campus I’m forced to eat unhealthy options or small snack foods like potato chips or a cheese sticks because unless I have the time and want to pay to get into a dining hall there aren’t great gf options.

Details About this Student's Food Restrictions

How many years ago were you diagnosed with food allergies or celiac disease?

Less than 1

If you indicated celiac or gluten intolerance, how sensitive are you to gluten?

Very: React to small amounts

Add details to help us better understand your food restrictions (e.g. sensitivity level, potential reaction, need for EPI pen)

If I consume any gluten (even a crumb) I got very sick for the next couple of days, have horrible stomach pains and fatigue. I also get a skin reaction on multiple parts of my body that can last for a couple of weeks after gluten consumption.

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

No, if I had been diagnosed earlier on in my college career I would have.

Are there resources to help with nutritious, safe dining (e.g. dietician)? If yes, describe

Yes, I was diagnosed from the campus doctor and sent straight to the campus nutritionist.

If you were in charge of dining, what would you change? Would your school be open to suggestions?

I would offer more on the go gf foods (i. e. gf granola bars, gf bagels, gf wraps or sandwiches that students could carry with them) as well as more restaurant options that are gf. I would also take precautions to make buffet areas less prone to cross contamination.

Describe your biggest challenge managing your food restrictions at college and how you deal with it

The cost of gf foods. Research shows a gf diet is 242% more expensive than a gluten containing diet and being a broke college student makes that so difficult to manage. To deal with it I have cut out most specialty gf foods such as pizza, bagels, cookies, or buns because of the cost. I have picked up more hours at work.

Advice for Incoming Students:

Housing:

Did your food restrictions impact your housing decisions? Any dorm recommendations

Because I wasn’t diagnosed with celiac until my junior year it did not affect my housing however looking back, if i had been diagnosed I would have registered with campus as a disability and tried to get a dorm with a private or semi private kitchen.

Dining Halls:

Any advice for managing dining halls? Favorite dining halls? Any to avoid?

At UNCW, Shore dining hall is a great option and the GF mac and cheese is amazing! Don’t be afraid to ask workers to change gloves or wipe down surfaces.

Meal Plans:

Describe your meal plans over the year(s). What's mandatory? Any suggestions?

Dorms:

Any advice for eating in the dorms? Favorite snacks? Places that deliver?

Simple Mills has great options and I usually get dips and crackers or chips because I feel like I can get more variety, fullness, and maybe some nutrition out of them over just a bag of chips.

Getting Started:

What should students do before school starts or when they first arrive?

Download Find Me Gluten Free and start looking for places you’ll be able to eat in the area.

Socializing:

Advice on managing parties or dinners out with friends?

Look at menus before you go out to try and prepare, depending on what’s available eat before you go. Always bring a snack when you go out and have foods you like on hand for after a night out!

Other:

Any other advice or comments?

Meal Plans:

GFF College Dining Survey Responses

University of North Carolina at Wilmington

Wilmington

North Carolina

Survey Date:

Nov 6, 2023

Survey 1 of 1

Student:

Recent Grad

With:

Celiac Disease

Student's Summary Assessment:

College Dining:

B-

Surrounding Area:

C+

Rationale for Grades Given

Details About this Student's Food Restrictions

How many years ago were you diagnosed with food allergies or celiac disease?

Less than 1

If you indicated celiac or gluten intolerance, how sensitive are you to gluten?

Very: React to small amounts

Add details to help us better understand your food restrictions (e.g. sensitivity level, potential reaction, need for EPI pen)

If I consume any gluten (even a crumb) I got very sick for the next couple of days, have horrible stomach pains and fatigue. I also get a skin reaction on multiple parts of my body that can last for a couple of weeks after gluten consumption.

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

No, if I had been diagnosed earlier on in my college career I would have.

Are there resources to help with nutritious, safe dining (e.g. dietician)? If yes, describe

Yes, I was diagnosed from the campus doctor and sent straight to the campus nutritionist.

If you were in charge of dining, what would you change? Would your school be open to suggestions?

I would offer more on the go gf foods (i. e. gf granola bars, gf bagels, gf wraps or sandwiches that students could carry with them) as well as more restaurant options that are gf. I would also take precautions to make buffet areas less prone to cross contamination.

Describe your biggest challenge managing your food restrictions at college and how you deal with it

Advice for Incoming Students:

Housing:

Did your food restrictions impact your housing decisions? Any dorm recommendations

Because I wasn’t diagnosed with celiac until my junior year it did not affect my housing however looking back, if i had been diagnosed I would have registered with campus as a disability and tried to get a dorm with a private or semi private kitchen.

Dining Halls:

Any advice for managing dining halls? Favorite dining halls? Any to avoid?

At UNCW, Shore dining hall is a great option and the GF mac and cheese is amazing! Don’t be afraid to ask workers to change gloves or wipe down surfaces.

Meal Plans:

Describe your meal plans over the year(s). What's mandatory? Any suggestions?

​

Dorms:

Any advice for eating in the dorms? Favorite snacks? Places that deliver?

Simple Mills has great options and I usually get dips and crackers or chips because I feel like I can get more variety, fullness, and maybe some nutrition out of them over just a bag of chips.

Getting Started:

What should students do before school starts or when they first arrive?

Download Find Me Gluten Free and start looking for places you’ll be able to eat in the area.

Socializing:

Advice on managing parties or dinners out with friends?

Look at menus before you go out to try and prepare, depending on what’s available eat before you go. Always bring a snack when you go out and have foods you like on hand for after a night out!

Other:

Any other advice or comments?

​

Meal Plans: