<p>HGFM, I have celiac so if you have any specific questions please feel free to pm me any time. And I think its wonderful that you have taken such an interest in her special dietary needs. As roommates, of course you will be touched every day by the restrictions she has on her diet. If she has found a gluten free bread that she likes, she will most likely have to have her own toaster to avoid cross contamination. The hardest part of celiac is not avoiding pizza, pasta or egg mcmuffins, it is the hidden gluten that is found in foods that contain “modified food starch”, or candy such as “twizzlers”, or even some instant mashed potatoes.</p>
<p>As far as you coming off as being unsensitive or uncaring I don’t think that will be a problem. It would help you to know that gluten is found in grains such as wheat and barley. Oats are also a problem not because they contain gluten, but because most oats are grown alongside wheat and are impacted by cross contamination. Gluten is NOT found in corn, potatoes or rice, so these items in their pure form are fine. I must admit that I do find it a little annoying when friends that have known about my celiac for well over 5 years still say to me “oh you can have potato chips?” It is not hard to understand where gluten comes from if you take the time and effort to learn, which it sounds like you really want to do.</p>
<p>Depending on how long she has had this disease will most likely determine how aware she is of the various watch outs. </p>
<p>You sound like you will be a great supportive roommate. Glad things are off to a good start based on your IM’s and such.</p>
<p>I just want to say that your roommate is really lucky to have YOU! You have such a great attitude – I know there are students who not so sensitive who might feel annoyed at having a roommate with unusual dietary needs, and you are already thinking about ways to prepare food that you can share. I am sure that just talking to you probably has relieved a lot of her worries.</p>
<p>Awwww, thanks guys. I’m just a firm believer in “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.”</p>
<p>Plus, I figure I might as well TRY and get along with her, since I’ll be living with her all year. So being mean or insensitive probably isn’t the best course of action. (and grudges take too much energy.)</p>
<p>HGFM, I really respect what you are doing for your roommate, but aren’t you kind of worried about her expecting too much out of you? My roommate is coming from out of state, and I have already volunteered to pick her up at the airport, take her shopping for dorm things, drive her to school (2 hours there), and help her settle. I’m just worried that she is going to continue expecting me to do everything for her. I just don’t want to come off as rude to her or have her walk all over me. In the past, I have been too helpful/nice to others and in return I got used.</p>
<p>It’s true that it makes no sense to be mean, HGFM, but there are some kids who would take a “not my problem” attitude and you are instead taking an interest in learning more about her needs and planning for them. </p>
<p>OKgirl…I’ve been down the same road. But I won’t have a problem saying no to an UNREASONABLE request. I don’t think it’s at all unreasonable for me to modify the type of pasta I use so that my roommate can share when I would share with my roommate if she didn’t have celiac disease. Why should I change that point of view just because I may have to use a different type of pasta/bread/whatever than I’m used to?</p>
<p>calmom-thank you so much! I bookmarked that link. :)</p>
<p>Just want to note, looking at the list I linked to above, it looks like rice is ok – so when you cook you might substitute rice for pasta. A rice cooker is a useful dorm appliance in any case – it’s the first thing my son wanted when he went off to college.</p>
<p>^^I’m not saying that you shouldn’t do those things, I just am wondering if you are worried about her expecting those things out of you all the time. I’m just worried that now my roommate will expect me to take her shopping, drive her everywhere, and everything else. It sucks being taken advantage of and I don’t want it to happen again (sorry if I’m like not understanding or being dumb, I got my wisdom teeth out and I’m on meds and can’t really think right…).</p>
<p>OKgirl-no, I totally understand what you’re saying. I suppose I hadn’t thought about that before.</p>
<p>To answer your question…I think it’s just a matter of knowing how to say “no” nicely.</p>
<p>Like, if she asks me to cook something but I’m studying/doing something else important, I’ll just say, “Well I’d be happy to help, but I’m right in the middle of _____. Maybe I can help you later, or maybe one of the other suitemates could help?”</p>
<p>Or, in the case of your roommate, just explain that you’re trying to make the transition as easy as possible, but you physically can’t help her all the time. As long as you do it tactfully, she should understand. :)</p>
<p>Calmom-I’ll definitely look into it when possible. However, there are some recipes I make that I definitely don’t think would be good with rice. (like mom’s tuna noodle!)</p>
<p>^It would just suck if she expected you to make special food all the time and then one day you didn’t and she ate it and got mad…you just hate for her to start expecting you to cater to her needs 24/7.</p>
<p>You might try going to epicurious.com because they have a ton of recipes and I think they even have a gluten-free search option.</p>
<p>^I’m going to try really hard to establish rules up front…ie “don’t eat stuff out of the fridge that isn’t yours without asking first.”</p>
<p>Besides…I would think that since she has had the disease for a while, she’d know better than just to eat something when she didn’t know what was in it.</p>
<p>Most large grocery stores do have gluten-free products in the health food aisle (cookies, flour, etc.). If you have a Whole Foods near you they are another good resource.</p>
<p>Okgirl, I say don’t borrow trouble—ie., don’t get all worked up and worried over your roommate taking advantage of you until there’s reason to do so. You know, sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof, and all;). In other words, chill and enjoy life!</p>
<p>HisGrace, the more I read of your posts, the more I like you. Can I adopt you?:p</p>
<p>As someone who was just diagnosed with Celiac Disease (and my head is still spinning), I want to second and third those who said your roommate is lucky to have you. You sound like a wonderful & caring friend!</p>
<p>Does your dorm room have a full kitchen??? Lucky you!</p>
I’m just a firm believer in “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.”</p>