The gluten free diet, almost everyone has heard of it by now. But not everyone knows exactly what gluten entails. Gluten is the name for the proteins found in wheat, barley, rye and triticale. It is essentially the glue in our food that holds everything together. Gluten is in many foods that you would never expect.
Eating well in college is difficult; eating gluten free in college is even harder. It is slightly different for people who are eating gluten free to be healthier or because of an allergy or Celiac disease.
This diet is very trendy right now and has brought attention to many restaurants and people what gluten is. But going gluten free is not necessarily the best option for all people and can actually make them gain weight. Many of the substitutes for gluten free foods have a higher caloric content as well as higher amounts of sugar and fat to compensate for the lack of flavor that the gluten provides.
For those who have allergies and Celiac disease, they are on a strict gluten free diet and their food cannot be cross-contaminated. People with gluten allergies can suffer from fatigue and headaches if they have foods with gluten. When people with Celiac disease eat gluten, the lining of their small intestine gets inflamed and damaged, making it more difficult for their body to absorb nutrients.
Here are some tips on eating gluten free in college if you have to:
Designated GF Areas
Many schools have designated GF areas in their cafeterias. Take advantage of this. This is the only area in the cafeteria where you should be completely safe from no cross contamination.
Ask Them to Change Their Gloves
When other people are handling your food, ask them to change their gloves. I know this can be embarrassing or make you feel like you are a nuisance, but it will be well worth it. And typically, people are very understanding and helpful after you explain that you cannot consume any gluten.
Talk to the Dietician
The dietician or nutritionist on campus is there to help you, so take advantage of their services! If you are experiencing any issues with cross contamination or just have questions about ingredients, they are your go-to person. They will help you find more GF options on campus and try to work with you as much as possible.
Buy Your Own Groceries
There will be plenty of times when you get sick of the same totally safe GF options and want some variety, so buying your own groceries is key here. Being able to switch it up and make your own meal is so nice after eating the same cafeteria food.
Be Flexible
Being GF is not ideal especially in cafeterias filled with pizza, chicken fingers, pasta and bread, but here it is the only option. There are going to be days where there are less options than you’d wish and you are dying for that piece of cake everyone else is eating but just remember to be flexible and roll with the punches.