As a college student with celiac disease, I am expected to maintain a safe and healthy diet with very little options. I was initially drawn to Quinnipiac University because the institution claims to provide accommodations for students with dietary restrictions.
Now as a junior, I can confidently say that those claims were misleading. Following my first year at Quinnipiac, I had severe health problems, and my symptoms were worse than any celiac-related issue I have ever experienced. After months of tests and hospital visits, doctors were able to identify the exact issue: I had consumed a dangerous amount of gluten through cross contamination.
I was saddened by the implication that the school was responsible for my sudden health decline. I expected my allergy to be taken seriously, as I was persistent with informing the dining staff of my restrictions.
My experience is not unique, as students with all sorts of dietary restrictions find it challenging to fuel themselves with the options on campus.
Since the institution made these claims, I don’t blame the dining staff entirely. The university failed to properly educate their workers on the importance of dietary restrictions.
The dining halls on Mount Carmel and York Hill Campuses offer some allergen-friendly options. There is one allergen friendly-specific station in the main campus’ dining hall, but the quality of food is inconsistent.
The dining hall on York Hill does not have its own allergen-friendly station and has one corner dedicated to gluten-free
and vegan grocery-style options. It is an inconvenience to always have to cook for myself, while most of my peers can select anything from the dining hall.
Students love to take advantage of the university’s mobile ordering app, Transact. While ordering food ahead of time sounds convenient, the risks can quickly outweigh the benefits. I have several experiences ordering a sandwich with gluten-free bread, just to receive a sandwich with normal bread because the workers were not willing to accommodate. This common occurrence is not only a waste of meal points, but leaves many students hungry.
Quinnipiac needs to provide more allergen-friendly food for the students and better educate its dining staff on how to properly handle dietary restrictions in a college setting.
Elizabeth Ann Campbell • Sep 20, 2024 at 3:21 pm
Almost all families and groups have members with food problems. Native People I lived near have high rates of diabetes, and taught all of us around a wonderful lesson. When food is served there must be something appropriate for everyone present – the needs of all guests must be taken into consideration. My grand-daughter has clearly explained this need. Colleges and schools are meant to be teachers and leaders. With the help of qualified dietitians they can learn how to set up systems that address these simple needs and teach the rest of us how to provide healthy choices. Then all can go about their daily work and pleasures feeling well. Good dietetics is the cornerstone of good health.
Juju • Sep 19, 2024 at 9:21 pm
The voice we need
Karla M • Sep 19, 2024 at 4:06 pm
Yes, unfortunately most of the time my son says the only gf option is chicken and rice. There is only so much of that he can eat. They should allow students with documented dietary needs use their dining dollars however they want. My son buys a lot of food at shops in our town to bring back to school on top of what we are spending for dining,
Caio Oliveira • Sep 19, 2024 at 2:59 pm
Real
Bethany Bevilacqua • Sep 19, 2024 at 2:56 pm
My daughter is a freshman and also has Celiac. She finds the food awful and the few times she has eaten it, she has gotten very sick. It’s crazy for the amount of money we pay for a food plan yet her options are so limited. I have to send food for her. Thank you for this article. Hopefully it will create some change and raise awareness!!
JT Thompson • Sep 19, 2024 at 12:27 am
That is appalling that you go out of your way to pick one of the few Gluten Free options just for your dietary needs to be ignored, harming your health. The university and dining services are both showing serious carelessness to the point of negligence.
Andy Murdock • Sep 18, 2024 at 11:47 pm
Amen.