(Scroll for multiple responses)
Celiac College Student Survey completed February, 2019
Food Service Vendor?
Iowa State Dining
What stage are you in college?
Recent Graduate
Please describe your meal plan for each year there so far.
I ate 2 meals per day there for three years of my college career and 1 meal a day during my senior year due to living off campus.
How many years ago were you diagnosed with celiac?
1-3
How sensitive to gluten are you?
Extremely: React to even small traces
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?
Totally yes, was what I expected
Grade your college on feeding celiac students
A+
Explain your rationale for that grade
Iowa State dedicated it’s own closet kitchen to allergies and the kitchen was 100% gluten free. The staff was always friendly about what everything contained. I ate there for 4 years and never got sick and they were great about trying new recipes on their own or trying family favorite recipes if you brought them in.
Check all that apply
My school is large with many dining halls, I am only comfortable eating in a few dining halls, I have great options at some of the dining halls, Ability to eat well was a critical part of my college selection process
Did you register with your students disabilities office for accommodations? If yes, describe.
No
Are there resources (nutritionists, chefs, peer support groups) to help ensure you are receiving safe nutritious food? Describe
Met with nutritionist and head chef before accepting offer to ISU.
How many times have you been glutenized in your dining hall? If you didn't answer NONE, please explain what happened and how school responded.
NONE
Describe your biggest celiac challenge at college and how you manage it
Biggest celiac challenge was not being able to eat with friends because only one dining hall had a dedicated kitchen and it was on the far side of campus.
If you were in charge of dining, what changes would you implement to better feed celiac students? Would your school be open to these suggestions?
I honestly felt they were compassionate and truly understood the severity of my celiac disease and what repercussions would occur if any trace amounts of gluten entered into my meal.
Did celiac impact your housing decision? How? Is there a certain dorm you recommend for celiacs? Why?
I lived on the north west side of campus in order to eat at the dining hall that had a separate gluten free kitchen. I should mention the kitchen was exclusive to those with celiac and or allergies/intolerances. “Normal” students could not get meals from the kitchen.
Your advice to new celiac kids for managing the dining halls? Favorite dining hall(s)?
UDCC was the bomb!
Your advice to new celiac kids for eating in the dorm? Favorite snacks? Places that deliver?
Too many favorite snacks to list, often the dining centers would make gf Chex bars that were like Rice Krispies that we could take to our dorms and eat. They always had a take home snack available!
Your advice to new celiac kids on preparing before they come? Or doing upon first arrival?
Make sure you make the time to eat. Sometimes I got so busy or I wouldn’t want to go eat by myself if my friends were going somewhere else and it impacted my health.
Your advice to new celiac kids on managing keg parties and alcohol scene?
Only drink Tito’s vodka. Watch out for hard liquors as many of them are derived from wheat even though they claim to be gluten free I believe they still harm your body as I’ve had reactions.
Grade your college town area for celiac friendliness
B+
Favorite places to eat in town or foodshop?
HyVee, pizza ranch(be clear about cross contamination (got sick every once in awhile), hickory park, wheatsfield grocery, noodles and co.
Anything else you would like to add?
Love the idea of this survey! I truly hope more schools offer gluten free dining options as that was the sole reason why I chose Iowa State University instead of the University of Iowa.
Celiac College Student Survey completed February, 2019
Food Service Vendor?
Martin Brothers
What stage are you in college?
Recent Graduate
Please describe your meal plan for each year there so far.
Had a special diet kitchen. Had meal plan for two years, same as any other student options, but only food options from special diet kitchen (1-2 food options). General student would have access to 5 different buffet/quick service food zones. Paid same.
How many years ago were you diagnosed with celiac?
5+
How sensitive to gluten are you?
Extremely: React to even small traces
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?
Totally yes, was what I expected
Grade your college on feeding celiac students
A-
Explain your rationale for that grade
One dining hall with special diet kitchen others have limited options. Very safe, trained staff. Dietitian helps. Some options in Cstores.
Check all that apply
My school is large with many dining halls, Ability to feed me varies greatly across dining halls, I am only comfortable eating in a few dining halls, I have great options at some of the dining halls, Ability to eat well was a critical part of my college selection process
Did you register with your students disabilities office for accommodations? If yes, describe.
Yes. Required for access to special diet kitchen
Are there resources (nutritionists, chefs, peer support groups) to help ensure you are receiving safe nutritious food? Describe
Yes, trained chefs, dietitian and culinary manager
How many times have you been glutenized in your dining hall? If you didn't answer NONE, please explain what happened and how school responded.
NONE
Describe your biggest celiac challenge at college and how you manage it
Could only really eat at the UDCC, only dining hall with special diet kitchen.
If you were in charge of dining, what changes would you implement to better feed celiac students? Would your school be open to these suggestions?
More options/larger menu rotation/dessert options
Did celiac impact your housing decision? How? Is there a certain dorm you recommend for celiacs? Why?
Picked dorm based on closeness to dining hall with the special diet kitchen.
Your advice to new celiac kids for managing the dining halls? Favorite dining hall(s)?
UDCC. There are lots of GF snacks in the Cstores. Set up meeting with dietitian.
Your advice to new celiac kids for eating in the dorm? Favorite snacks? Places that deliver?
Lots of local restaurant with GF menu. Close to Hy-Ve- can meet with dietitian and get your gluten free foods.
Your advice to new celiac kids on preparing before they come? Or doing upon first arrival?
Talk with your roommate about dedicated toaster or other shared appliances/utensils.
Your advice to new celiac kids on managing keg parties and alcohol scene?
Be safe. Don't be stupid. Margaritas, tequila sunrise and Pina coladas :)
Grade your college town area for celiac friendliness
B+
Favorite places to eat in town or foodshop?
The Cafe, the Spice, Hy-Vee take and bake pizza, Cafe Diem
Anything else you would like to add?
Iowa State is GF safe, has club "the special diet alliance" to help new and old Celiacs, gluten intolerant and others.