Ask These Questions To Find Your Gluten-Free College

While touring colleges and universities, you will be enticed by the description of hot cookies and pizza delivered to dorms for late-night study.  All the snack bars, coffee shops, and extra goodies offered on campus will be noted.

As that thrills many, those of us living gluten-free may feel left out.  The good news is that many colleges and universities are becoming more aware of this relevant, growing issue. Many universities now have practices in place for students to safely live gluten-free on campus.

As you tour the colleges and universities of choice, there are many relevant questions to ask to find your perfect fit.

Do your best to speak to a cafeteria manager or someone in the food department while on tour.  They will be happy to show you around and explain how their kitchens work to keep all students safe while eating on campus.

Here are some important questions to ask

to help find your safe gluten-free college:

**Do you offer gluten-free foods 

in the school cafeterias?

**Where can the students find 

gluten-free food on campus?

**How many cafeterias are on campus?

**Do they all offer gluten-free food?

**How do you find the menu 

for the cafeteria?

One school noted that they serve different gluten-free foods at each cafeteria location. Other schools may only serve gluten-free food in a certain cafeteria on campus. Most shared that the menus are found online.

**When are the gluten-free foods offered?

(Only at meals or throughout the day?)

Some schools have cafeterias open all day where students can pop in to grab a snack.  Others are only open at certain meal times.

**Are the gluten-free foods served separately

from other foods?

**What protocol do they have in 

place for cross-contact or cross-contamination?

**What extra snacks do they offer

for gluten-free choices?

**Does my child need to know 

the Cafeteria Manager to 

safely eat on campus?

**Is there a kitchen or special area 

where students can prepare

their own GF food safely?

Boston University had a separate area in one of their cafeterias.  This space offered safe gluten-free ingredients for students to prepare something on their own.

**Are there any safe gluten-free 

pizza places on or near campus?

**Does the school offer housing grouped

by gluten-free roommates?

This can be a relevant question if you find that the school cafeteria will not fit your gluten-free needs.  Colleges and universities typically offer different types of housing- from dorms to townhouses and apartments.  Some schools offer certain housing during certain years, meaning possibly that only freshmen live in dorms while the seniors have townhouses. (Check with the different schools per their policy.) 

That being said, if the cafeteria will not work, you may possibly find an apartment or townhouse with a kitchen.  Of course, you would then be in charge of cooking all of your own meals, but if this is your dream school, that may be a step you are willing to take.

Do your research by asking the questions.  Take time to ponder the answers and you will find your BEST fit for your safe gluten-free college!

Wishing you all the best in taking

this next step into your future!