Food Allergy Support

Discussion Boards => Teens and Food Allergies => Topic started by: nonuteen on April 08, 2014, 10:45:09 AM

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Title: Going away to college with LTFA
Post by: nonuteen on April 08, 2014, 10:45:09 AM
PA/TNA Dd will be starting college in the fall.   Trying hard to work with her college of choice to make a safe environment for her and it has been so stressful.   While they are WAY more allergy aware than some I have dealt with, there is still a lot of risk.  None of their dining areas are nut free and therefore no guarantee there.   How will she eat?  How do we keep her safe?
 
While speaking to special services today she really seemed to get it and is going to see if or how we can make this work (dining and housing wise) but did say this is the first time they have had to deal with an allergy this severe...sigh.  Hard to always be the first...

Hoping we can make this work for her as she really has her heart set on the college experience and has worked really hard but so difficult transitioning from our very safe home environment to a college environment on her own in a small college town hours away...

If she lives in the dorms,  she would need a single (which she DOESNT want, she wants to be with others) and they are only allowed a small fridge and microwave.  No hot plates or anything else.  Hardly an ideal way to make sure she always has her own food.

Thoughts?  Anyone else in this position?   I would have loved for her to stay home and commute one of the local colleges but she is ready to fly:)

Title: Re: Going away to college with LTFA
Post by: CMdeux on April 08, 2014, 02:32:02 PM
Not a lot of advice for you-- honestly, DD's allergies are such that (knowing what we know about college campuses, dorm environs, etc) there is just no way that we'll do it.

She might eventually transition to off-campus housing, but she has to be able to keep her own food safe, and she has to be able to prepare food for herself. 

Anyway.  Identifying yourself to disability services on campus is the first step-- I take it that you've done that, yes?  If you press, can you get permission for other appliances (maybe an induction hot-plate?) for her?  Honestly, she's going to HAVE to be flexible enough to realize that her college experience may not be identical to that of her unaffected peers.  That's simply the way that it is.  She's not alone in not getting "the" college experience that she imagined, by any means-- but taking risks with your management strategy in order to live more normally.... hmm.... there's a limit to what is wise there, yeah?

There's a lot more to being ready to fly than wanting to live away from home for our kids.  Unfortunately.  Being truly ready also means being mature enough to accept that you have to compromise on what you want so that it's feasible in light of the very real limitations on your food safety, KWIM?

That means not eating in a high-risk setting 2 or 3 meals a day for four years, at least if you're someone with a low reaction threshold.

I'm happy that my DD hasn't really fought this all that much-- she packs food rather than planning to purchase lunch (generally has a back-up plan even if she does plan to purchase something that she's scoped ahead of time), and seems to accept that this is just her lot in life.  It sounds like your DD isn't accepting that she may HAVE to live in a single-- maybe that is just the impression that I'm getting. 

I get some of this is lack of experience, too; my DD doesn't understand how food-oriented a lot of sorority affairs are, and has it in her mind that she'd like to go through Rush.  I'm not telling her "no" but I'm also not really encouraging it, either. 

I feel for you.  It is very stressful.   :grouphug:
Title: Re: Going away to college with LTFA
Post by: twinturbo on April 08, 2014, 03:18:10 PM
The hot plate may be non-negotiable. Yes, I think it's silly too but even professors are not supposed to have anything but a microwave or small refrigerator in their office. I've tried getting DH to stock something else in his office for years and he can't/won't. It probably is rooted in fire hazard as it's not limited to students.
Title: Re: Going away to college with LTFA
Post by: CMdeux on April 08, 2014, 03:22:05 PM
Right-- and that's where I'm thinking "induction" might be an exception, since it's not a thermal source any more than a microwave is.

Title: Re: Going away to college with LTFA
Post by: Macabre on April 08, 2014, 03:25:09 PM
Does she have a 504 designation?
Title: Re: Going away to college with LTFA
Post by: twinturbo on April 08, 2014, 03:29:44 PM
In our case, no even to the magnetic stand-alone. IMMV. It had to do with the described activity of cooking being prohibited, I think. Much like they aren't supposed to have cots in office to sleep or use it as some sort of occupancy but that's for offices to prevent faculty from squatting.
Title: Re: Going away to college with LTFA
Post by: CMdeux on April 08, 2014, 03:46:11 PM
Silly me-- I thought it was to prevent faculty from SLEEPING.  At all.  ;)

Mac's point is a really good one-- if she has a 504, take a copy of it with you to disability services.  She should qualify for one in higher-ed, too. 

Title: Re: Going away to college with LTFA
Post by: rebekahc on April 08, 2014, 04:05:09 PM
At DS's college they are not allowed to have anything with open heat source like toaster, hot plate, etc. but they are allowed to have closed heat sources like George Foreman grills, crock pots, electric kettles, etc.  I wonder if they'd be able to work a compromise with you on that?  You'd be surprised what all you can cook on the George Foreman!

That being said, IMO, if your DD can successfully eat in restaurants she may be able to eat in the dining hall.  I have a very low threshold for peanut (both contact and airborne reactive) and was able to do it.  Granted, I didn't eat a lot of variety, but I was able to find food.  The schools I attended where I dined in the dining hall had various stations like grill, pasta, pizza, hot entree, wok, etc.  The grill, pizza and pasta stations were always safe.  Plus the baked potato bar.  I wiped my table when I sat down, kept my food on the tray and avoided anyone eating nuts/peanuts.  Breakfast was the worst with pb on toast/waffles/bagels, but I'm not really a breakfast eater, so I just didn't go.  If I was hungry I grabbed a snack in my room.  DS, with a slightly better threshold than mine, has been able to eat in the dining hall, also.  His university posts all the menus online and you can filter them by allergen.  He uses that to see what to avoid and even if he should avoid a particular dining hall (like the vegetarian one).

FWIW, DS and I both live(d) in doubles.  We haven't had a problem with our roommates being unwilling to keep nuts/peanuts out of the room.

Obviously, if our egg or milk allergies were very low threshold the dining hall would have not been an option.
Title: Re: Going away to college with LTFA
Post by: nonuteen on April 29, 2014, 08:52:20 AM
Sorry it took me so long to respond.  It's been a stressful, busy few weeks!! 

To follow up with some of your ?'s.  No, she does not have a 504 but Yes, we have spoken with special services and they said she does qualify for an ADA medical room.  The cost is higher but it will provide her with a larger single and her own sink etc to help reduce risk and cross contamination issues that will come with a roomate. 

DD is worried.  She is very social.  She is worried she is going to feel isolated and get depressed and I understand that concern also.  CMDeux-  I agree that sometimes (esp for our FA kids) being mature enough to realize what they need to keep them safe vs what they think is "normal" is absolutely essential.  It was heartbreaking to watch the moment she really realized how tough this was going to be for her vs her peers.  I think staying home and going to the local college would have been much safer and easier for her (and me! ) but she also really wants some independence and is really looking forward to the college experience.  I am hoping we can find a safe balance where she is able to go but with proper precautions.  She is very responsible and has worked hard but has always had our safe home environment where I do all the grocery shopping/meal planning.  She CAN do these things but is unbelievably busy in high school.  My point is, she does have a decent head on her shoulders and always carries her Epi.

Ideas on how she is going to be able to safely eat and get through her freshman year without the meal plan or a full kitchen??  She will have a larger fridge, access to a grocery store, and they will allow her to have a George Foreman in her room.

Aside from all the scary thoughts running through my head, I also worry about her surviving on Enjoy life bars for a full year!!  That can't be healthy!:) There is also a Chipotle, Dominos and Wendys nearby so that will help also.
Title: Re: Going away to college with LTFA
Post by: chase on April 29, 2014, 11:22:01 AM
My son is a Freshman in college and is PA only.  My son has done well in the dinning hall like Rebekanc's son.
He is also in a double room.  His roommate has no problem with not bringing any food that was not safe into the room.  His roommate had classmates all through school with food allergies.  Most teens know someone with allergies.

If your daughter is not on a food plan she can still go in and socialize with others while they are eating. Our kids (mine anyway) has had many social events where food is served and he just doesn't eat.

Most dorms have a communal kitchen.  She can keep safe cooking pans/etc in her room. Students get pretty tired of eating dorm food and I'm sure would love to share a meal she cooks in the dorm kitchen.  If a communal kitchen is not safe ask if she can bring a hot plate/toaster oven into the communal kitchen.  Also my son has a microwave and refrigerator in his room.

I hope she has a great Freshman experience!
Title: Re: Going away to college with LTFA
Post by: CMdeux on April 29, 2014, 12:30:17 PM
How far away from home?  Is it feasible to do some planning and recon on the local grocery store options?

1.  Figure out what national/regional brands will be available to her and are highly familiar and safe-- probably by visiting different local stores near her dorm;

2.  plan a series of meals around what is available locally-- think "picnic" food, crockpot stuff (if she's in a single, she can just hide it when not in use and use LINERS to limit cleaning), sandwiches (Foreman panini press), and whatever she can do with boiling water (hotpot or electric kettle-- HIGHLY recommend this, btw-- we've used them in hotel rooms for years),

3.  figure out precisely what equipment she needs-- and how to minimize size.  TINY cutting board, a chef's knife and paring knife, a few storage containers that nest well, etc.  A travel mug, a couple of plates/bowls, extra silverware-- that kind of thing;

4.  Figure out what you can SHIP TO HER via Amazon or yourself-- or, if you're close enough, what you can bring her in terms of dry goods that you can find and she can't (or which are too heavy to realistically tote back from the store routinely).

5.  Work on her cooking skills with respect to this plan this summer-- have her practice-practice-practice, so that she knows how long it takes her in the morning to make a cup of tea and a serving of oatmeal with raisins.    There are a LOT of cookbooks if she needs help figuring things out, or doesn't want to halve (or quarter) recipes.  College student or Bento cookbooks are your friend.


Oh, and the other thing-- have her figure out a system for PACKING food.  Food that doesn't make other people go "Uh-- is that what you're eating?  Duuuuuuuude..."

Think cute.    Bento might be appealing-- that's DD's strategy on campus-- she takes lunch that inspires ENVY, not just "attention."  Lemons, lemonade, YK?    Pteradactyl chopsticks and FUNKY napkins-- that's all I'm sayin' here.  She's not "allergy girl" she's the cool kid.  Nobody is thinking allergies when they see what she's eating-- a fruit salad that looks like tiny flowers-- they're wishing that THEY were eating that well. 



Title: Re: Going away to college with LTFA
Post by: Beach Girl on June 18, 2014, 06:54:14 PM
I just finished my first year with peanut and milk allergy.  I would be happy to talk with you, but I am leaving for Europe tomorrow morning.  You are welcome to pm me and I can give you my mom`s email address.  She left this board and won`t post, but she would be happy to talk to you by email.  There was good and bad, but mostly good.  We did have lots of problems initially and I had to file with DOJ, but most of it worked itself out.  Most of what people posted on this thread about 504s is not relevant to college.  The standard is not FAPE as it is for K - 12.  I had a 504 for K - 12, but it was totally useless for college.  I did make it through the year reaction free as far as school meals, did not miss out socially, have a ton of friends, and got involved in lots of activities.  My friends were very considerate, but the university repeatedly let me know that they found it inconvenient to accomodate me.   The organizations I joined had no problem accomodating me at all.  The problem was with the school.  (UCLA)  They seemed to think that because it is so hard to be accepted there, that they could refuse accomodations.  PM me with an email address and my mom can fill you in.
Title: Re: Going away to college with LTFA
Post by: CMdeux on June 18, 2014, 08:11:29 PM
Glad that you had a good first year, Beach Girl!

I'm guessing that 504 compliance and willingness is going to vary a LOT by institution.  What we found (so far) is that having a college-ready, carefully groomed 12th grade 504 plan and accommodations from a testing agency seemed to make everything run VERY smoothly.

Sky's has been remarkably easy to deal with-- and I've heard that from other parents whose kids have a variety of disability-related needs that have had to go through the DSO/DSS.


Housing/dining is often the weakest link there, so extra time is often needed in order to iron things out.  We definitely have seen signs that there would have been some kinks if DD were trying to live on campus. 



Title: Re: Going away to college with LTFA
Post by: paparenttoo on June 18, 2014, 09:36:28 PM
It has been a while since I have posted. This topic is so timely, as last weekend my daughter and I attended the Meet Michigan campus tour (my daughter hopes to attend University of Michigan in the Fall of 2015, she is starting her senior year of High School this Fall). All I can say is that the University blew our socks off in their can do ability to meet the challenges of food allergies! Below is a picture of the signage at each of the tables in the dining hall we ate at (all the procedures and precautions are in effect at all of the dining halls on campus).  We knew beforehand of U of M’s  ability to meet the challenges – but to see it in action was a sight to behold. We met with the dining hall manager before lunch, and he walked us through their procedures and how they prevent cross contamination; beef and chicken are grilled and baked separately from fish, the dessert kitchen is separate from the meal kitchen and the dessert serving station is far away also. The food allergic student can download an app on their smart phone and place their meal order from it and it will be prepared for them with all safety procedures taken. The dining hall manger told us that “food allergic students should just be worried about their studies when they eat in the dining halls, not their safety.”  We enjoyed veggie pasta w/a grilled chicken breast. I had coffee and my daughter had juice.

I felt like we died and went to heaven…now begins the early application process --- send good wishes our way.

(http://i483.photobucket.com/albums/rr196/homemadebread/UofMFoodAllergies_zps2758c175.jpg)
Title: Re: Going away to college with LTFA
Post by: ajasfolks2 on June 19, 2014, 07:16:29 AM
paparenttoo:  Thank you for posting and sharing this!!   :smooch:  Best wishes to your daughter (and you)!

Quote
The dining hall manger told us that “food allergic students should just be worried about their studies when they eat in the dining halls, not their safety.”

Just wanted to see that bold & quoted:  from a staff member who truly GETS IT!!   :thumbsup:

Title: Re: Going away to college with LTFA
Post by: ajasfolks2 on June 19, 2014, 07:37:58 AM
I just finished my first year with peanut and milk allergy.  I would be happy to talk with you, but I am leaving for Europe tomorrow morning.  You are welcome to pm me and I can give you my mom`s email address.  She left this board and won`t post, but she would be happy to talk to you by email.  There was good and bad, but mostly good.  We did have lots of problems initially and I had to file with DOJ, but most of it worked itself out.  Most of what people posted on this thread about 504s is not relevant to college.  The standard is not FAPE as it is for K - 12.  I had a 504 for K - 12, but it was totally useless for college.  I did make it through the year reaction free as far as school meals, did not miss out socially, have a ton of friends, and got involved in lots of activities.  My friends were very considerate, but the university repeatedly let me know that they found it inconvenient to accomodate me.   The organizations I joined had no problem accomodating me at all.  The problem was with the school.  (UCLA)  They seemed to think that because it is so hard to be accepted there, that they could refuse accomodations.  PM me with an email address and my mom can fill you in.

Don't you think it might have been more helpful to post details about what IS relevant as part of the sharing process and paying it forward, rather than just a slam and run?



Title: Re: Going away to college with LTFA
Post by: Macabre on June 19, 2014, 09:46:16 AM
That is so cool. I know DS went to a speech tournament at Harvard this year, and some of the events were at Lesley (the center of the suit last year). I will say that at least as far as dining services went, Lesley seemed amazing.

One of DS' friends is heading to UCLA next year. I believe she got a full ride, which is very cool.
Title: Re: Going away to college with LTFA
Post by: CMdeux on June 28, 2014, 12:57:46 PM
I am going to post two pictures to demonstrate why TRUSTING a university dining services staff-- even one that seems to make all of the "right" noises wrt to allergy awareness, might not be entirely the best of things.




The other worthy thing is this particular statement, which... while... um... accurate and definitely INFORMATIVE, does little to provide reassurance to anyone that has anything like a moderate (never mind low) threshold. 

Quote
Food Allergy/Intolerance Disclaimer: {} is committed to identifying ingredients that may cause reactions for those with food allergies and intolerances and trains employees on safe handling procedures to minimize risk; however, because foods are prepared in a commercial kitchen, there is always some risk of cross contact of allergens and gluten. Consumers should also be aware of the risk that manufacturers of the commercial foods {} uses may change the formulation of ingredients or substitute other ingredients at any time, without notice.
Title: Re: Going away to college with LTFA
Post by: CMdeux on June 28, 2014, 12:59:13 PM
I pulled those screenshots off of my DD's institution's current dining webpages this morning.   :-/

The reason why I posted them isn't to mock the sheer stupidity of their "allergen filter" (which is obviously NOT NOT NOT to be trusted blindly)-- but to point out that if they don't recognize that "nutella" cheesecake contains treenuts, what else aren't they looking at??  This is a compound ingredient that contains not only hazelnuts, but also milk. 

What that indicates to me is that food service errors related to that very fundamental error are probable in that setting. 

"Does this contain eggs?"

"Let me look in the notebook.  Nope."

or

"No.  No eggs."  (Because it contains "coleslaw" or "potato salad" or "dijonnaise.")

Title: Re: Going away to college with LTFA
Post by: BensMom on June 28, 2014, 02:10:50 PM
Yikes, CM. That's a bit scary.

DS's school sure sounds like they're on the ball. I talked to the nutritionist and she said that ds will fill out a card this summer, and then they set up an appt with him. They'll introduce him to the chefs and walk him around the dining hall to show him how it all works. Food with allergens is labeled. I don't actually remember seeing allergen labels (like on the pizza, which obviously contains milk), but they did have a warning in the dessert area. The nutritionist also said that their pesto sauce has no pine nuts and they don't fry the boardwalk fries (which they occasionally serve) in peanut oil.

You can also check ingredients online or in kiosks in the dining hall. You can also order ahead I think to have your meal prepared--something I'm sure ds will never do.
Title: Re: Going away to college with LTFA
Post by: CMdeux on June 28, 2014, 02:24:59 PM
And see-- all of that sounds exactly like this institution's policies.   That is, they have searchable databases for all uni dining, notebooks with priority ingredients, individual dietician available, etc. etc.

What worries me some is that they don't seem to quite grasp the seriousness of food allergy as opposed to lactose intolerance, Halal/Kosher, etc.  Exhibit A would be the two screen grabs, both of which are SUPER obvious.

It's equally clear that they rely upon manufacturer reporting and are NOT reporting shared lines/processing, even where that info is available quite readily (because I know-- from experience, that is-- that there is no such thing as uncontaminated supply chain for the particular item). 

They also don't treat sesame as an allergen at all.   :-/

There's a huge part of me that wants to call them up and say "Ummm... you guys have only seen these kids here and there so far-- but they're COMING, and you are SO not ready..."



Title: Re: Going away to college with LTFA
Post by: Macabre on June 28, 2014, 02:56:52 PM
I assume no restaurant gives us shared lines. And we eat out a lot. I couldn't really see the pictures until I opened them in another window and then. It clearly, but I'm assuming I was seeing Nutella as an ingredient in a "nutfree" dish. Crazy.

I assume colleges will be a lot like restaurants.
Title: Re: Going away to college with LTFA
Post by: GoingNuts on June 28, 2014, 04:55:40 PM


DS's school sure sounds like they're on the ball. I talked to the nutritionist and she said that ds will fill out a card this summer, and then they set up an appt with him. They'll introduce him to the chefs and walk him around the dining hall to show him how it all works. Food with allergens is labeled. I don't actually remember seeing allergen labels (like on the pizza, which obviously contains milk), but they did have a warning in the dessert area. The nutritionist also said that their pesto sauce has no pine nuts and they don't fry the boardwalk fries (which they occasionally serve) in peanut oil.

You can also check ingredients online or in kiosks in the dining hall. You can also order ahead I think to have your meal prepared--something I'm sure ds will never do.
[/b]

Bold Mine.

DS's school offers this option, which DS has never, ever even considered doing, which is a shame because he could have had a much more diverse diet if he had been willing to do so. 

Bensmom, your DS's school was well known several years back for being a leader in dealing with allergies and celiac.  When my friend's son started there in 2006, they were super-accommodating.  :)
Title: Re: Going away to college with LTFA
Post by: BensMom on June 28, 2014, 07:37:47 PM


DS's school sure sounds like they're on the ball. I talked to the nutritionist and she said that ds will fill out a card this summer, and then they set up an appt with him. They'll introduce him to the chefs and walk him around the dining hall to show him how it all works. Food with allergens is labeled. I don't actually remember seeing allergen labels (like on the pizza, which obviously contains milk), but they did have a warning in the dessert area. The nutritionist also said that their pesto sauce has no pine nuts and they don't fry the boardwalk fries (which they occasionally serve) in peanut oil.

You can also check ingredients online or in kiosks in the dining hall. You can also order ahead I think to have your meal prepared--something I'm sure ds will never do.
[/b]

Bold Mine.

DS's school offers this option, which DS has never, ever even considered doing, which is a shame because he could have had a much more diverse diet if he had been willing to do so. 

Bensmom, your DS's school was well known several years back for being a leader in dealing with allergies and celiac.  When my friend's son started there in 2006, they were super-accommodating.  :)

Good to know, but CM's screen grabs are a bit scary. They seem to be doing everything right, but are obviously totally blowing it. How can they not label nutella and honeynut cheerios for nuts??
Title: Re: Going away to college with LTFA
Post by: Macabre on June 28, 2014, 09:36:53 PM
I assume no restaurant gives us shared lines. And we eat out a lot. I couldn't really see the pictures until I opened them in another window and then. It clearly, but I'm assuming I was seeing Nutella as an ingredient in a "nutfree" dish. Crazy.

I assume colleges will be a lot like restaurants.

Sorry--was posting quickly. I assume restaurants don't give information about shared lines. We either assume something is likely safe at a restaurant based on the food. For instance, I assume all bread products are unsafe for me but are likely safe for DS. All desserts are assumed unsafe.

We eat out a lot. I guess with PA only I don't think DS will have a tough time in college, because it's probably a lot like many restaurants.

In the town we moved from, there was a college associated with our denomination. In fact, my congregation helped found this college. Anyway? We were there for events a lot. And we often went to lunch there on Sundays. DS did pretty well eating there. I am hoping where ever he goes it will be similar--or better.
Title: Re: Going away to college with LTFA
Post by: GingerPye on June 30, 2014, 12:06:33 PM
just thought I'd chime in about our experience so far --

DD is attending a state school starting in August.  We've met with the dining director and she was fantastic to work with.  I also have talked with her by phone a few times.  She's had lots of experience with food allergic students.  She said all the right things --- DD will be able to order ahead -- now we have to figure out the right dining plan for her needs.  We go to orientation in July and the dining director will have a safe meal for DD at the orientation lunch.  We'll see how that goes ...

it all sounds good ...

We'll see if it all works out as nicely as it sounds.  Dd is worried that she'll get the same few meals all year long, LOL.  That may be ... but at least they would be safe, hopefully. 
Title: Re: Going away to college with LTFA
Post by: Macabre on July 01, 2014, 10:06:49 AM
CM now that I am on my laptop, I can see the pictures more clearly.  Did you talk about the food services director about this?  Yikes.  What negligence in labeling for the obvious.  Yeah, I wouldn't trust them either for the not-so-obvious.   
Title: Re: Going away to college with LTFA
Post by: CMdeux on July 01, 2014, 03:47:00 PM
Not directly-- hasn't been a good time to, since DD won't be utilizing a dining plan anyway.

They know that they can't really prep food for someone like her.  At least I hope that they do, given the reality of their food prep.  This is a large state flagship, btw-- so about 7.5K resident students ON-campus, and another ~20K are commuters or living off-campus.  They do a HUGE volume in some pretty small prep spaces.  I get that this is a serious challenge.  They also have rotating menus and constantly have "new" items-- and are extremely vegan-friendly, which is a bad combo for anyone with nut allergies.  EVERY dining facility on the campus has at least one nut-laced item on the menu at any one time.  Most are heated, to boot-- satays,moles, curries, stir-fries, etc.

During orientation, DD had (literally) nothing to eat.  Well, except what I packed for her.  There was also little flexibility in being able to go off on her own-- so she wound up ditching part of the afternoon session the first day so that she could buy herself a couple of bags of Doritos from a food vendor and a vending machine.  I also grabbed her an orange, but she had to wash it in a restroom sink. 

Now, the dorms do have kitchen facilities, but they are shared, and only the larger residence halls have them.

My impression is that they have some reasonable measures in place to help students who have high thresholds.  There are pretty good software sorting algorithms (well, obviously only as good as the person entering INGEREDIENTS, but anyway...) that can help narrow things down. 

But they are really new to this with students like DD.  Disability services was very surprised when we reported the issue with dining services-- and the issue that we had with the honors college, where the advising "waiting room" was loaded with peanuts and tree nuts to such an extent that DD had a horrible asthma flare just popping her head in the doorway.


We will definitely be talking with them again before the fall orientation/intake.  They HAVE to give us more detail about scheduling ahead of time so that we can figure out work-arounds. 
Title: Re: Going away to college with LTFA
Post by: sneaker on July 07, 2014, 11:13:16 AM
Thanks for posting, CMdeux.  It is keeping me aware that colleges are not as food allergy aware as I was thinking they would be for my dd.

Those errors they made with Honeynut Cheerios and Nutella should have been seen and corrected by someone on the staff before they listed the food.

And I agree with you, that Nutella is a compound ingredient.  So why is that listed as an ingredient.  And Nutella is a brand name.

Also, just for your info, your pictures you posted I can only see when logged in.
Title: Re: Going away to college with LTFA
Post by: Beach Girl on July 11, 2014, 09:23:17 AM
We found so much variation in the level of awareness of the schools.  UC San Diego is fabulous with food allergies.  They want to be the gold standard in the U.S. for how colleges handle food allergies.  UCLA, by comparison, still doesn`t realize that margarine, mayonaise, tortillas, and pancake mix are not ingredients, no matter how many times I tell them that.  They think if tuna salad lists "tuna, mayonaise, pickle relish, celery, and eggs", that is an ingredient list.  It is pretty pathetic that they are so clueless.  I end up having to avoid foods that might be safe if only they would provide accurate information.
Title: Re: Going away to college with LTFA
Post by: Macabre on July 11, 2014, 09:52:36 AM
That kind of cluelessness might be worth transferring over. Yikes.
Title: Re: Going away to college with LTFA
Post by: CMdeux on July 11, 2014, 12:00:42 PM
... or at least an exemption from purchasing a meal plan that you absolutely cannot use.   :-/

BeachGirl's experience is exactly what those screen shots are pointing out-- it's evidence of an underlying lack of understanding.  I'm also deeply suspicious that food allergy is grouped together with Kosher, Halal, and Vegan "needs."  It's not that I don't think that food services ought to be providing that info-- it's just that for someone with food allergy, their life is on the line with a single bite.  That ought to warrant a bit more concern and care, IMO, than the others.  Grouping them together implies that they aren't given that additional care.



This is a big reason why we can't really consider DD living in the dorms.  Because they'd NEED to exempt her and allow her to have dedicated food-preparation materiel in her (single) room, and that's probably a precedent they don't want to make.   The only thing that she'd be permitted to have is a micro-fridge combo.  The answer that housing has indicated is that she can "meet with a dietician" or that some dorms have (communal) kitchen facilities.   :-[


Again-- the details REALLY matter.  We'd have thought, based on some of the things that they told us at orientation/visitation, that this school was "excellent" in terms of awareness and management-- and then I looked closer.  My DD might not have noticed some of those gaps/lapses, but I knew what they signified right away.    If they are missing the OBVIOUS stuff, then you can bet that they don't understand co-processing issues worth a darn, either.
Title: Re: Going away to college with LTFA
Post by: ajasfolks2 on July 11, 2014, 02:11:28 PM
We found so much variation in the level of awareness of the schools.  UC San Diego is fabulous with food allergies.  They want to be the gold standard in the U.S. for how colleges handle food allergies.  UCLA, by comparison, still doesn`t realize that margarine, mayonaise, tortillas, and pancake mix are not ingredients, no matter how many times I tell them that.  They think if tuna salad lists "tuna, mayonaise, pickle relish, celery, and eggs", that is an ingredient list.  It is pretty pathetic that they are so clueless.  I end up having to avoid foods that might be safe if only they would provide accurate information.


Thank you for the additional details.

Title: Re: Going away to college with LTFA
Post by: Macabre on July 12, 2014, 01:05:32 AM
I'm thinking, though, that the allergen may mAke a huge difference here. Just peanut is so incredibly different than eggs, peanut and some treenuts. DS has eaten out widely with peanut--all his life--and frankly, it's so much easiest for him than for me (with shellfish and sesame). Now, for the last year he has actually ImmunoCAP tested positive for shrimp. Surprise! Biu the kid of course would never eat shrimp. NQ he won't even allow them in his SLIT drops, and I want that so he'll have a tolerance.  Anyway, he's never had a reaction to shrimp, and he eats tortilla chips that I won't when we go out to eat. 

So I'm saying "just peanut."

I digressed so much.

But--I think (all things considered) just peanut is a different ball game than MFA--especially if that contains milk, egg, wheat or soy.

I think this would be very similar to a restaurant experience (and ds has eaten in a couple of college cafeterias at least 10 times). And he eats in many restaurants.
Title: Re: Going away to college with LTFA
Post by: GingerPye on July 12, 2014, 12:17:44 PM
DD had a safe lunch yesterday at her orientation, prepared specially for her.  So glad that it worked out for her.  She had taken her own lunch in case it didn't work out.
Title: Re: Going away to college with LTFA
Post by: nonuteen on July 24, 2014, 09:34:50 AM
Gingerpye-  That's awesome!  So glad you had a great orientation experience!

 At our orientation last month, we already knew DD would not be able to eat the food and it was the first time I think she realized how hard this might be for her.  The college SAYS it labels well and I see may contains signs on everything that actually contains an allergen.  Unfortunately, they have so many student workers in their kitchen that they say they are unable to be sure about cross contamination and there are MANY nut containing items in their dining hall including a nut bar and a stir fry with peanut sauce.  They are getting there with labeling, just not there yet, so we don't feel comfortable with dd eating there. 

Paparenttoo-  Awesome!!  We are in Ohio.  Maybe we should have looked into Michigan:)

Rebekahc-  I would love to hear your George Foreman ideas!  Looks like she might be using it ALOT!!
Title: Re: Going away to college with LTFA
Post by: rebekahc on July 24, 2014, 10:11:35 AM
This is the model we have.  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000A7W4Z2/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It has different removable plates - waffle, grill and flat griddle.  Between those three, there's so much you can cook on it.  The flat griddle can be used like a skillet and can even be used to bake cookies.  It doesn't look like this particular model is available any more, but maybe you can find a similar one?
Title: Re: Going away to college with LTFA
Post by: nonuteen on August 06, 2014, 09:14:41 AM
Can't find the George Foremen with multiple plates:(  We can find the one with one set of removable but not the extra...boo!  We also just bought the hamilton beach egg sandwich maker which  she is excited about.  Hope it works!

Only 2 weeks til move in!  Letting go is SO hard.  Staring to feel a bit anxious...
Title: Re: Going away to college with LTFA
Post by: Macabre on August 06, 2014, 09:54:36 AM
Ours is The Griddler by Cuisinart. It has two removable plates, one side flat and the other for grilling. It opens up flat. We love it. We had a smaller one for about five years and got this one last Christmas. I didn't mention it because based in pictures, the Foreman seems to. Have a slimmer profile.

Ours has settings for both panini and griddle.
Title: Re: Going away to college with LTFA
Post by: rebekahc on August 06, 2014, 10:32:27 AM
What we like about the one we have is the griddle has a raised edge so it works as a shallow skillet, too, and that's the feature we use the most.  Here's one that has an even deeper edge that looks pretty good.  http://www.amazon.com/George-Foreman-GRP4EP-Platinum-Deep-Dish/dp/B003U4UUBC/ref=sr_1_23?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1407338833&sr=1-23&keywords=indoor+grill+with+removable+plates
Title: Re: Going away to college with LTFA
Post by: CMdeux on August 06, 2014, 03:06:41 PM
Oh, man, that DOES look like an awesome tool, rebekah.  THANK you.
Title: Re: Going away to college with LTFA
Post by: GoingNuts on August 06, 2014, 06:08:59 PM
DS is moving off campus this year, and I am deeply concerned about the shared kitchen.  He leaves in less than 3 weeks.  *Sigh*

I've started cooking and freezing so we can stock the freezer when we take him up to school.
Title: Re: Going away to college with LTFA
Post by: nonuteen on August 06, 2014, 07:09:00 PM
GoingNuts-  This is probably going to be our situation after this year so would love to hear how it goes.  Is he going to have his own labeled pans?  (That is what we were assuming our daughter might do) 
Great idea about stocking the freezer.  I would love to do that but our drive is close to 3 hours so not sure if food will keep temp? and I am worried there will be a problem and her fridge won't be delivered yet or something...

Rebekah-  Thank you and Macabre-  Thank you!  They look awesome and should really help her make some decent food in her room!  Going to research and order one asap.
Title: Re: Going away to college with LTFA
Post by: GoingNuts on August 06, 2014, 07:42:19 PM
Our drive is over 6 hours.  It will be fine in a cooler.

I'll talk to him about labelled pans and dishes.  He gets really annoyed with me when I start speaking allergy. ~)
Title: Re: Going away to college with LTFA
Post by: nonuteen on August 06, 2014, 08:09:25 PM
Our drive is over 6 hours.  It will be fine in a cooler.

I'll talk to him about labelled pans and dishes.  He gets really annoyed with me when I start speaking allergy. ~)
[/quote
Glad to know my child isn't the only one!! :)
Title: Re: Going away to college with LTFA
Post by: CMdeux on August 06, 2014, 08:32:11 PM
Me, too!


I did a little bit of (gentle) probing about how the DSO 'orientation' and sit-down meeting about specific situational needs, etc. went.  I couldn't really ask right after she had done it because, er-- well, new "special friend" was in tow (working on his own stuff while waiting for her at the DSO), but it sounds as though she handled it EXTREMELY well.

I'll ask her to post some of the details.  She did note that her 504 plan (which we've considered to be rather minimal, frankly) is one of the most thorough, (if restrained in light of DD's history) that their office had ever seen.  They were also was surprised that my DD was so well-versed in her own needs and in balancing mitigating measures, her own privacy, the rights/needs of others students (including those with disabilities of their own) and her safety.    There was also some astonishment expressed that we'd had to fight so hard for some of the (quite common-sense) items in that 504 plan, resulting in some eye-rolling on the part of the college DSO-- basically, why should something so obvious be not automatic in anyone with half a brain...  anyway.

It sounds like it was a very positive conversation.   

Title: Re: Going away to college with LTFA
Post by: nonuteen on August 09, 2014, 09:34:38 PM
GoingNuts_  What freezer meals are you making?  I was thinking lasagna might work well and we are also baking lots of healthy muffins to take and freeze.  Any other ideas would be great!! 

CMDeux-  Sounds like the meeting went very well and that your daughter is very mature and well versed about her allergy!:)
Title: Re: Going away to college with LTFA
Post by: GoingNuts on August 09, 2014, 09:42:52 PM
I'm making spinach lasagna, brisket, chicken parm and chili.  Also making some homemade granola bars which freeze well.

ETA: And some matzoh ball soup for the inevitable head cold/strep.
Title: Re: Going away to college with LTFA
Post by: BensMom on August 14, 2014, 03:58:46 PM
At DS's school, they send a little care package over the summer with a card to send back if you have a food allergy. DS was balking at even sending it back. Why bother? I tried to point that the he has to eat every single meal outside of "home" (me cooking/shopping) and it would be nice if the people preparing his food knew about his allergy and could show him how to manage it in the dining hall. Sheesh.
Title: Re: Going away to college with LTFA
Post by: GoingNuts on August 14, 2014, 04:59:16 PM
The teenaged brain at work. And this is a superior brain, no less.

Sheesh! ~)
Title: Re: Going away to college with LTFA
Post by: GingerPye on August 20, 2014, 11:03:38 AM
Okay, DD is a few days into eating at her college cafeteria.  She met with the dining director for a final double-check on how they are going to feed her safely, during her first day on campus. 
She is to email the dining director every day with a time that she'll be eating her meals. 

I am so impressed with this dining director --- I have met her and she's called me by phone a few times. 

She was asked for a list of foods that she does not like:  peas and melon (cantaloupe)

And so far, she's had meals that have been safe.  Chicken, chicken, and more chicken.  And apparently the kitchen staff think that melon includes squash.  She said, yesterday the dining manager came rushing over to her table, WITH TWO PARAMEDICS (not sure what she meant by paramedics), to pull the squash away from her.  He said, "Don't eat that!  It's squash!  I forgot you cannot have squash!" 
She looked at him and said, "Is there butter on the squash?!"
"No --- you cannot have melon.  A squash is a melon."

??? 
She explained to him that squash is NOT a melon and no, she's not allergic to squash.  She doesn't eat MELON, like cantaloupe, because of an OAS reaction she gets when she eats it.

Also, during another meal, a girl in the same cafeteria DID have an anaphylactic reaction.  The ambulance came "so quickly, Mom!  You'll be glad to know that!" and hauled her away on a cart.  I said, did she have an epipen?  She didn't know.  She found out after the fact that it was an anaphylactic reaction.  She wonders if this girl had not told the kitchen staff of her allergy . . . I'm wondering what happened, too.

Anyway, Dd's meals so far have been safe.  She's just bored of the constant chicken already.  LOL

eta:  DD mentioned paramedics, but I think they were health service personnel or something that way.
Title: Re: Going away to college with LTFA
Post by: Macabre on August 21, 2014, 08:22:31 AM
It's great they are so aware. I hope they can expand their offerings to her soon. Maybe you could send some of your recipes to her and she can meet with the director to give some ideas? 
Title: Re: Going away to college with LTFA
Post by: GoingNuts on August 22, 2014, 08:06:41 AM
http://allergicliving.com/2014/08/06/off-to-college-with-allergies-celiac-u-s/1/
Title: Re: Going away to college with LTFA
Post by: nonuteen on September 22, 2014, 11:38:18 AM
Going to visit DD this weekend.  First month away is going well but she is finding it hard to make time to get to grocery store and am afraid she is surviving on very little. 

Would like to make and freeze a few items to take to her.  It is around a 2 1/2- 3hr drive.  So would I just pack the frozen items in a cooler (actually what I have is a large insulated bag?  would that work) with lots of ice.  Would it still be frozen when I get there and ok to put back in the freezer?  Her freezer is VERY small so only thinking of taking a few meals.
Title: Re: Going away to college with LTFA
Post by: CMdeux on September 22, 2014, 11:46:41 AM
We've done a three hour transit that way in a cooler bag, nonuteen.  It should be fine-- just make sure that you have containers that 'nest' or pack together fairly tightly, and make sure that they are frozen COMPLETELY SOLID.

I also found that double-bagging in a zippered, insulated tote bag was one of the most successful ways of keeping things frozen.
Title: Re: Going away to college with LTFA
Post by: nonuteen on September 22, 2014, 11:57:43 AM
Thanks, CMDeux! So glad to hear that works for you!   So,  I am thinking I will make a few things tomorrow and then put in deep freeze.  They should be very well frozen by Sat then.  I have also read that wrapping in brown paper bag or newspaper helps? 
Also going to bake healthy muffins (and some not so healthy:) to take! :)
Title: Re: Going away to college with LTFA
Post by: CMdeux on September 22, 2014, 12:10:01 PM
 :yes:  Sure thing!

One other trick I've learned from road-tripping with frozen meals is to use freezer bags filled with cubed/crushed ice as "cold packs" which are completely disposable. 
Title: Re: Going away to college with LTFA
Post by: nonuteen on September 22, 2014, 12:12:04 PM
One more freezer ?---  As mentioned before, her freezer is small and don't think it is practical to take a whole frozen lasagna.  Would like to portion and freeze individually but realize might be harder to keep frozen this way.  I was thinking of portioning into either quart freezer bags or freezer paper and then small containers.  Thoughts?  thank you so much for all your help!!  I'm new to trying to travel with frozen foods!
Title: Re: Going away to college with LTFA
Post by: PurpleCat on September 22, 2014, 01:35:14 PM
I travel with frozen food all the time.  Recently I bought one of those 5 day coolers.  They are not kidding.  Those are amazingly insulated!  I can go a weekend in a hotel with DD and the food in containers is still mostly frozen!

No matter what your cooler choice is,  I always put a towel across the top before I close it and when you put it in the car, my trick, cover that with one or two thick blankets.  It keeps the air around the cooler cool and the direct sun from the car windows at bay.
Title: Re: Going away to college with LTFA
Post by: nonuteen on September 22, 2014, 01:53:05 PM
I would be willing to invest in a better cooler.  Would make me feel better about food staying frozen while traveling.

I typed in 5 day cooler on Amazon and this came up

http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-62-Quart-Xtreme-Wheeled-Cooler/dp/B000G68GP4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1411411877&sr=8-1&keywords=5+day+cooler

Is that what you use?

Thanks!!
Title: Re: Going away to college with LTFA
Post by: PurpleCat on September 22, 2014, 02:48:44 PM
That is the one and it is huge!  (OK, the 75 quart is bigger but still)  Just warning.  If I fill it, which I do for softball tournament weekends, I can not lift it alone!  And it takes up lots of room in my van...but it is the size I need.

I bought it at Target and they had some smaller ones that were more square with wheels and some smaller ones that did not have wheels.  I have also seen these coolers at Walmart and Dicks Sporting Goods.

Here's the Walmart page:  http://www.walmart.com/c/kp/colman-xtreme
Title: Re: Going away to college with LTFA
Post by: GoingNuts on September 22, 2014, 05:18:58 PM
I portioned out a veggie lasagna for DS; I cut it up, wrapped it in freezer paper, then placed in a freezer ziploc bag.  I traveled 6 1/2 hours with a full cooler and everything was still frozen solid.  Just make sure the cooler is packed to capacity and as CM said, that everything fits together tightly.

And - if something is just slightly defrosted, it is still safe to go back into the freezer.  It might alter the texture slightly, but it is still safe to cook and eat.

We'll be going up in a couple of weeks, and I'll be cooking up a storm in preparation.  Can't wait to see my boy.  ;D
Title: Re: Going away to college with LTFA
Post by: nonuteen on October 08, 2014, 11:08:40 AM
Five day cooler worked great!!  Had everything portioned and frozen in deep freeze.  Didn't take too much this time because I wanted to try it out first but everything was still frozen solid when we arrived!  Going to take much more next time.
Thanks everyone for all the advice and great ideas!!
Title: Re: Going away to college with LTFA
Post by: ajasfolks2 on May 18, 2016, 09:34:15 AM
Bump
Title: Re: Going away to college with LTFA
Post by: Mezzo on August 01, 2017, 08:18:41 AM
I'm not sure if this is the best thread for this, but I wanted to share that Drake University has gone peanut and tree nut free in the cafeteria. They're going to start a top allergen free station this year.
Title: Re: Going away to college with LTFA
Post by: Macabre on August 03, 2017, 12:54:28 PM
That is awesome!
Title: Re: Going away to college with LTFA
Post by: my3guys on January 20, 2019, 08:49:53 AM
No words. But good reminders for all of us with teens, especially those going away to college.

https://www.today.com/parents/after-daughter-s-peanut-allergy-death-parents-teach-teens-t146930

This girl was a freshman. She died at school. Her parents now want to bring awareness to the importance of talking to rommates, friends, RAs about allergies and treatment of anaphylaxis.
Title: Re: Going away to college with LTFA
Post by: PurpleCat on January 20, 2019, 10:45:06 AM
Benedryl.....again.....it does not save lives.  So sad.