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From:
Jim Lyles <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Mon, 21 Feb 2000 23:50:05 EST
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<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

..........................................................
:                                                        :
:  Excerpts from the Houston Celiac-Sprue Support Group  :
:  ----------------------------------------------------  :
: newsletter: Nov. 1999     Janet Y. Rinehart, President :
:                                      11011 Chevy Chase :
:                                Houston, TX  77042-2606 :
:........................................................:

College Bound for Celiacs, by Jessica Mahood, Diane Paley, and Janet
-------------------------  Rinehart

Before leaving for college, students learn to do their own laundry,
manage a checkbook, and prepare for independent living.  Celiac
students have additional challenges--not only considering the
limitations of the celiac diet when looking for a college, but
accommodating those needs in a college environment.  Both are possible
with a good helping of research, planning, and family support.

Reputation, distance, and size are major considerations when choosing
a college.  Celiac students need to examine those factors in light of
the diet.  The first step is to research the living situation for
freshmen students.  Most likely, it is a dormitory.  If at all
possible, it is best to be in the same living situation as students
your age.  Freshman year is the year that many friendships are made,
and it can be very lonely living in an off-campus apartment when you
don't know anyone.  Never forget, however, that your health comes
first.  If dorm life seems unfriendly to the gluten-free (GF) diet,
then keep looking for alternatives.  Having a small apartment near
campus is a viable alternative.  It may be less hassle for you to have
your own fridge and cooking appliances, rather than risking
contamination in the cafeteria.

Once you have scoped out the living situation, contact the housing
director, food service manager/administrator, and director of student
disabilities.  Set up a meeting to sit down and go over your dietary
needs in terms of what the university can and will offer to do to
accommodate those needs.  It may be helpful to bring copies of a
medical statement from your family doctor of your celiac disease (CD)
diagnosis and treatment to share with the Dean of Students, Dean of
Housing, and Food Services Administrator.  This will discourage them
from classifying CD as a "preference" or treating it as such.  The
celiac diet is recognized by the Americans with Disabilities Act,
which obligates them to provide reasonable accommodations for your
needs.

You absolutely, 100% need to be healthy to function in college.
College is stressful and challenging, and your grades and
relationships will suffer if you are getting sick from gluten
contamination.  With that in mind, many celiacs choose a smaller
university that offers more direct contact with administrators and
staff.  Most universities have rules about what appliances and
appliance sizes are allowed in the dorm rooms.  A smaller school may
also be more likely to "bend the rules" to allow you to have
additional appliances in your room or storage space in their cafeteria
freezers.  When you meet with the school representatives, talk about
this.  Would they allow you to have a slightly bigger refrigerator so
that it could have a freezer?  What about a toaster, microwave, or
rice cooker?  Next, consider the cafeteria situation carefully.  Would
you generally be eating at one cafeteria, or several?  See if you
could meet with the cafeteria manager and chef on a weekly basis to go
over the menu items for the c oming week, talk about ingredients and
preparations, and read labels if necessary.  Some cafeterias are even
willing to follow your GF recipes or reheat GF items that they store
in their freezers.

Once you have determined that yes, you can live there and yes, they
can feed you, now is the time to start preparing to head off to
college.  Give your roommate a call as soon as you receive your
housing information.  Find out if he/she is going to be willing to
respect your food, as well as your space.  If he/she seems like a
chronic baked goodie raider, talk to the housing director again and
see if you can switch.  Sometimes a substance-free or quiet dorm
attracts people that are less likely to party and end up with the late
night munchies--and temptation to dip into your food stock.

Now, get yourself prepared for eating smart.  Stock up on GF foods,
mixes, and pre-made GF meals.  Consider making your own recipe book of
easy-to-make items.  Bette Hagman's Gluten-Free Gourmet and Carol
Fenster's Special Diet series have many recipes.  These are valuable
to have with you, but often require a lot of ingredients and
preparation time that may not tally with the hectic college schedule.
If at all possible, bake like crazy the summer beforehand and freeze
these items.  Individual meals stored in Tupperware can make fast and
tasty GF "TV dinners"--especially if you have access to a freezer and
microwave at school.  If a parent or relative can make a trip to your
college every so often to re-stock your food supply, then you may not
have to do much baking at all during the semester.  This is another
reason that distance needs to be factored in to your college choice.
But, if you are planning on being miles and miles away from mom and
dad, request a GF care package every so often.  They will proba bly be
happy to oblige.

Pick up an updated list of GF foods and products so that you can not
only eat smart, but avoid any hidden glutens.  Fast reference guides
are definitely a plus.  The CSA Handbook, CSA Product Listing, and
Stokes' Guide to the Medicine Cabinet are "musts" to add to your
collection.  [We would recommend our own shopping guide over CSA's, as
ours is more up-to-date at this point.  None of the information in our
shopping guide is older than January 1998.--ed.]  While you are
researching and gathering information, you may want to consider making
up a celiac "basics" guide for your cafeteria and dormitory
supervisors.  This will give them something to reference concerning
your diet, as well as take some of the mystery out of CD.  Be careful
to mention, however, that no information packet can mention every
"taboo" product/food item or every nuance of information about gluten
intolerance.  It's still best to consult the expert--you.

Now that you have fed your mind and filled your freezer, make sure
that your body is ready for this challenge.  Freshman year can be an
incredible experience, but it is also a strain.  Generally, a physical
examination is required by the university.  Make sure that your
nutritional levels are normal, and (if you haven't done this already)
ask your doctor to make an official statement about your celiac
diagnosis for the school's medical records and any new doctors or
dentists.  Include pertinent information about medications or
vitamins.  Prepare for the worst but expect the best, as they say.
This may also include a plan for hospitalization, should the need
arise.  Coordinate with the medical center staff, and choose a
knowledgeable person to advocate for your dietary needs--GF
medications included.  Get a health ID bracelet such as a Medic Alert
that states that you are on a GF diet.  Then, wear it religiously--no
one seems to notice or care at college.  Insure that you have ID on
your person at all times, and that your friends or roommates know
where you are.  Some basic safety and common sense may save you a lot
of grief.

Now you are at college, beginning classes, and meeting all kinds of
people.  All of a sudden you realize that much of the college social
world centers on two things--food and alcohol.  You tend to have
problems with both, in the celiac sense.  First, deal with the food
issue.  Talk to your roommates and friends about the celiac diet.  Let
them know that you are not offended if they eat in front of you, and
that having a pizza in the same room will not send you into toxic
shock.  Keep your own GF goodies handy so that you can join in on the
snacking.  Or, suggest popcorn or ice cream as an alternative.  You
may also want to, at some point in time, cook a GF dinner or dessert
for your friends so that they know that GF food does not taste strange
and disgusting.  If you go out to eat with your friends, even on a
college budget, suggest a restaurant that will have some plain menu
items that you can eat.  If need be, sneak along some GF rolls, bread,
or snacks.  Most likely, no one will make any fuss about this.  It is
your attitude towards the diet that will determine how your friends
treat it.  If you are open and friendly about it, then they will be
too.

Aside from the food issue is the alcohol one.  Granted, by law you
shouldn't drink before you are 21.  However, that may not be very
realistic at college.  Generally, college parties serve beer or some
kind of "punch".  Stay away from both.  It's probably best to avoid
the punch even if you aren't a celiac--you never know what "extra
flavoring" was provided by frat boy "X" or his friends.  Don't weep
too much for the loss of drinking from the keg--the infamous "freshman
fifteen" usually comes from beer.  Check out the CSA/USA Handbook or
the Internet to find out what drinks are GF.  Typical parties suggest
BYO, as they say; bring your own and don't let it leave your side.  Go
with a group and stick with them.  Be safe and smart about how you
party.

Once you are at college, check the yellow pages for local health food
stores and grocery stores that carry GF items.  Many manufacturers
will also ship directly.  "Natives" to the area can recommend suitable
stores, restaurants, and pharmacies that are GF-friendly.

Above all, keep your chin up and your good sense active.  Don't cheat
on the diet; you will only end up unhealthy, unhappy, and unsuccessful
at your college endeavors.  Once you have CD, you have it for life.
Every little bit of gluten damages internally, and it may haunt you
sooner than later.  Take the extra time to read a label, snag your own
goodie to bring along, and talk to friends and university staff about
your needs.  The diet is sometimes a hassle but it is a necessary one.
So, do your research, take the time to plan, and involve your friends
and family in the process.  College preparation may require a great
deal of work, but in the long run, it will provide opportunities and
experiences to last the rest of your life.  Best wishes!

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