Anyone have experience with Celiac Disease - Page 2

astrophysicsmom · 01-10-2008, 06:38 PM

We know a family where both teenage sons have Celiac disease. The older son is going to school in NYC and has lived in an apt from the beginning. Their second son starts school in the fall. I know that their ability to handle his dietary needs was one of the considerations when they were looking at schools. They found things that were across the board...some schools were very limiting on what they could do, other schools are very supportive and had records, etc. to prove it. I think his main choices right now are Univ of Pittsburgh and Franklin & Marshall (he's originally from PA). For them, it is a fact of life, and they've adjusted pretty well. The mom self-published a gluten-free cookbook (if you're interested, PM your contact info to me---I think she sells them for about $20---all proceeds go to a Celiac research group in Chicago. Last summer, they were in the group of people for which my husband organized a trek to Machu Picchu in Peru. With a little of advance notice, and sending a list of the stuff they couldn't eat, the cooks/porters prepared food separate for them...it worked out great!!! Best of luck to him, and let me know if you're interested in the cookbook!

astrophysicsmom · 01-11-2008, 03:23 PM

I talked to my friend....

The name of the cookbook is "Gluten-Free Family Favorites" and you can order it via amazon.com. It has some great recipes, even for people who don't have Celiac disease!!!

Sierra Lin · 02-27-2008, 02:52 PM

Though we have wheat andn other allergies, our family favorite baking book is "Gluten-Free Baking Classics" by Annalise Roberts.

AlwaysLearning:

If your student ends up looking or staying in the Western PA area, then PM me as I can clue you in to all kinds of products for gluten free which your student may enjoy or could keep on hand at college.

boysx3 · 02-27-2008, 03:18 PM

My son's college roommate has celiac disease and has since he was a small child. He has his own, apartment-size refrigerator in their dorm room. His mom sends care packages and he also shops in stores and on-line for his favorite gluten-free foods. He hasn't had a problem with college life at all. I know the food service does some special cooking for him.

By the way, did you know that PF Chang's has a gluten free menu? Just ask for it if you are ever in one of their restaurants. A lot of other restaurants are beginning to have them too--but you have to ask whenyou are being seated.

JeepMOM · 02-27-2008, 04:11 PM

A good resource for gluten-free cooking - King Arthur Flour :: Home Page - specialty diets - they also have several other special diet things there too - and they are great to deal with - excellent customer service

(On main page - click on shop - and then you will see specialty diet in the column on the left)

philpoleon · 02-27-2008, 05:32 PM

Make sure he has his own toaster-loads of gluten crumbs in any nondedicated toaster.

edad · 02-27-2009, 12:16 PM

My D had very restrictive dietary issues and managed to get by for 2 years with a combination of dorm food and stocking her own refrigerator. My W has celiac and other restrictions. Once you get used to the limitations, you will find that it is less of an issue than you might imagine. For a teenager, it is mostly a social issue -- no more pizza and fast food with friends.

oregonianmom · 02-27-2009, 09:51 PM

Hi there. I have Celiac disease. I was diagnosed last summer and have been 100% gluten free for 7 months. I second whoever posted about the forums on Celiac.com:
Celiac Disease and Gluten-Free Forum (Home)
They are very helpful, and there is a forum specifically for teenagers and young adults. There are several college-age students who post there, and they are sure to have great tips and advice for dealing with Celiac in college.

Living with Celiac is hard but doable. Thank goodness we have the internet for information and support.

Lenore · 03-27-2009, 08:19 AM

My son is going to Washington University in Saint Louis (Wash U) - Does anyone have celiac or wheat free kids who are already there or who will be going there? Will colleges let kids have a toaster oven in their dorm? That would make a huge difference, as my son lives on Annie's Gluten Free veggie burgers! (Also stir fry, but that would obviously be tricky in a dorm room.)
Thanks.

mrc13 · 04-13-2009, 12:10 AM

Most schools will have food available that is gluten free, and most times, the dining services people are very helpful. Many of the convenience stores on campus also have some gluten free frozen foods, pretzels, cookies, etc. Celiac is becoming more and more common.

I have been visiting numerous schools, and all have been very accomodating. University of Michigan did not sell gluten free items in the convenience store, but they had in the dining hall. I am a bit concerned about the party scene on campus though.

Lenore · 04-13-2009, 08:03 AM

We didn't make that a precondition in the college search, but are now dealing with it after the fact. We're hoping to talk them into setting up some kind of a gluten free station.

cornmuffin · 07-07-2009, 05:42 PM

Here's a very interesting and informed discussion about celiac.....
Celiac Disease Becoming More Common - Well Blog - NYTimes.com

Lenore · 07-08-2009, 09:54 PM

Thanks - I had seen the original article, but the followup replies were really interesting....

HisGraceFillsMe · 07-08-2009, 10:13 PM

My roommate this past year had Celiac. You can find a lot of restaurants with gluten-free menus now...we went to Outback for my birthday in September and she was able to request one. Lots of other places have them too.

Basically, all it meant was that we couldn't share food without specifically asking first. She had her own toaster and kept lots of stuff in the freezer (we were lucky enough to have a full kitchen in our "apartment"...that's what our school calls most of the dorms).

Make sure it's explained to the roommate, and you should be fine. The cafeteria can probably accommodate you as well.

kelliebm · 07-09-2009, 12:45 AM

I don't have much to add besides what has already been said, but one of my friends at school has to follow a gluten-free diet, does not have any special arrangements with the school (although they are offered to those with dietary needs - but she is independent and would rather handle it on her own) and manages it just fine. She eats most of her meals at the dining hall, too. depending on the school & quality of the dining hall there really are tons of options. When she eats at the fast food type place on campus she'll get a grilled chicken sandwich or burger without the bread/bun and either eat it alone or get a side salad to put it on.