The college experience is different for everyone, but here’s Alyssa’s advice on navigating college life.
My name is Alyssa, and I was diagnosed with celiac fourteen years ago in May. Being diagnosed so young has had its ups and downs with adjusting to the “new life” that comes along with celiac disease. Having celiac disease is not just about eating gluten free and staying away from certain foods. In reality, it is so much more and others who are not affected by celiac may not understand how much it can be a daily burden on someone’s life. The one aspect of celiac that has affected me the most during my high school and college years was the social aspect of celiac disease. Hanging out with friends, going to restaurants, and going to parties can be a difficult time, because as someone who has celiac we can’t just go out and eat whatever we want. I had to reach out to friends or parents of friends to see what they were serving, and I used to have to bring my own food. I felt lonely and embarrassed because I didn’t want others to think I was being disrespectful by not eating what food they provided. I also felt like a burden with going out to eat because we always had to go to a restaurant where they had gluten free food and again I felt embarrassed because my friends had to pick a restaurant based on my needs. I realized a few years after that I shouldn’t have felt that way because it was my body I was putting at risk if I didn’t take every precaution to be safe.
I had a different college experience because I attended two years of community college in my hometown before transferring to a four-year school. When I was about to transfer the COVID-19 pandemic happened, and I had to stay home. I only had one year at my university in person and lived off campus with roommates. I was very lucky that my roommates took precautions to keep me safe in our kitchen. I had a separate area for my food, utensils, and other cooking materials. While we didn’t have a 100% gluten free kitchen we did take precautions that worked for us. I did not eat on campus, except for getting quick snacks and drinks that were gluten free. Before living with roommates, always take time to talk with them about your needs before moving in so everyone is on the same page.
While my college experience isn’t the most traditional type with living on campus, some advice I have is to surround yourself with people who care about you and understand why you have to be gluten free. Educating your friends and family on celiac disease can be super helpful not only for yourself but for them as well. Using apps like Find Me Gluten Free and GF Scanner can be lifesavers and give you the best options on gluten free restaurants near you and reviews by others on how safe they felt dining there. The GF scanner is awesome to use while grocery shopping to find certified gluten free products. My final piece of advice would be to take everything day by day and remember to take a breath. It can be stressful living with celiac, but always remember to do what works best for you.
