I have been allergic to nuts and seeds since I was a toddler, and I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease when I was 8, so I eat gluten free. It was pretty easy handling this at home, where my family was used to dealing with these dietary restrictions throughout my whole life, but finding a college where I could eat safely was a really daunting process to think about in high school. Luckily, I found Colby, which I not only fell in love with as a school, but I also finally felt like I could trust a school to provide me with safe food that tastes good too.
Dana
One of the reasons Colby was one of my top choices when considering colleges was its nut-free dining hall. I specifically remember the head chef at one of my other top schools (which is another NESCAC that shall not be named) telling my mom and me that they made their peanut butter right under the kitchen and everything had nuts in it, so I should “try another school, like maybe Colby or Bates.” That was pretty disheartening to hear, so learning that one of Colby’s dining halls was completely nut free was extremely relieving. Instead of peanut butter, Dana has sunbutter (which I’m actually also allergic to… yea sad. I eat “soy butter” as a substitution and I encourage you to try it. It’s good!) and none of their baked goods contain nuts.
Pizza
Everyone knows how wonderful the dining staff who swipe us into dining halls is, but I bet you didn’t know how great the kitchen staff is too. They are extremely knowledgeable and always ready to help. As long as you are assertive in asking for foods you want, they are happy to accommodate dietary restrictions. On days where I’m really craving a pizza, which I obviously can’t just grab from the regular gluten-filled pies, I call Dana a few hours before I plan to get there and ask them to whip me up a delicious gluten free pizza. They have amazing crusts readily available and are able to add any of the special pizza toppings they have on the regular menu. I’ve gotten (nut-free) pesto margherita pizza, goat cheese and spinach pizza, and other yummy combinations like the one you see below.
(Courtesy of Sarah Ehrlich)
Substitutions
I’ve actually found it pretty easy to find substitutions that allow me to enjoy the speciality foods Dana provides everyone else. For example, during Jan Plan, Dana had a build-your-own mac and cheese bar every Monday, and by simply asking one of the friendly faces behind the food to make some gluten free pasta, I was able to pile up my toppings and eat some bomb mac and cheese with my friends to fill our stomachs in time to tune into The Bachelor each week.
Dana is also stocked with the best gluten free bread, Udi’s, making it super easy to get sandwiches at lunch by just handing the person making your sandwich your bread. They happily change their gloves and use separate knives to cut your sandwich. (Quick shoutout to Valerie for knowing my order. I don’t even have to say anything and she knows what to put on. It’s pretty great). The chefs at the American Grill have also been happy to make grilled cheese with gluten free bread for me and my other gluten intolerant friend.
Another amazing thing Dana has is its avocado toast bar as a dinner option. The aforementioned Udi’s bread does a great job supporting the avocado and toppings offered. Toast the bread in the designated gluten-free toaster for optimal results.
(Courtesy of Cassandra Winkelman)
All in all, I am so grateful for how accommodating Colby Dining is and how helpful all the dining staff has been in my almost two years here. I know a lot of people with allergies worry about comfortably eating in dining halls during the college process, and I am so glad Colby has done such a great job in my experience.