Food Services Personnel

[Guest ~wAvE WeT sAnD~]

Hi everyone. Since I go to lunch in five minutes, I figured that I'd take the time to vent before I left. I'm just frustrated and annoyed when it comes to pretending to have the patience that I've lacked since the beginning of time.

I have distributed celiac disease literature to two of the Food Service workers at my college. Only a selective few have received copies of the paperwork, so they are still asking basic questions. One was so distraught when she packed my lunch for my cross country meet that she gave me A SALAD WITHOUT DRESSING. No drink-- but when I was handed Powerade, I saw, to my dismay, that it contains MODIFIED FOOD STARCH. I then ate an orange with my naked salad.

I'm sticking to communicating exclusively with the Food Services director. People keep asking me if I'm a transfer student, etc. etc. Some of them don't even know who I am or have seen my dietary restrictions papers that are plastered all over the kitchen. There is so much more to this story, but I have to eat and go to class now.

It sometimes bothers me that people cannot remember basic information (when it's constantly repeated), and don't even know how long I've been here on a tiny campus of 1100 students.

I hate explaining things.

Please help.

[tarnalberry]

Talk with the director about your concerns that people don't know what's going on? Direct them to the signs posted everywhere?

Remember that they may have been dealing with celiac disease - and not even as something they have - for only the length of time you've been there. And you're a very small part of their day. In five minutes a day (and that's giving, on this scale of things, a LOT of time to one person), they're not going to get it any time quickly.

I'd vote for keeping up with the director and letting him know that you aren't getting adequately fed!

[celiac3270]

I have years before I deal with this, but just to let you know, all flavors of both Powerade and Gatorade are gluten-free.

[Guest ~wAvE WeT sAnD~]

Thanks celiac3270! So Powerade has corn starch?

[angel-jd1]

I'm not sure what group your college uses as their catering services. I contacted Sodhoux and they sounded like an awesome group. Possibly you can try contacting the main company they are contracted with and try to get some results that way.

When they give you food that isn't appropriate bring it to their attention and then they can learn. If you don't bring it up, they think everything is fine.

celiac3270 is right, powerade and gatorade are both gluten-free.

I hope things get easier.

-Jessica

[Guest ~wAvE WeT sAnD~]

*Sigh* An update on the rest of the day...

I went to lunch. It was awful in the beginning, because no one had received my message telling them I'd be there. So I stood there, way too PMSed (sorry celiac3270--Tiffany will understand) to ask. I left the kitchen, already frustrated and angry, on the verge of tears. I then tried to have some tea, but the hot water pot wasn't there. I decided that was it, and I began to cry. My boyfriend caught up to me and told me that I shouldn't be upset. I hate when other people tell me how I should feel! So I told him to hold me and stop talking. He later said "it's period time. I understand." I am making packets for the staff sometime this week.

Afterward, I ate some deli meat, a piece of lettuce, and cheese. I was starving by 4:00, so I had a scoop of Arrowhead Mills puffed corn, God's gift to regularity. I then felt better, and ran 3.1 miles to make up for my very s**** day.

Thank you all for listening.

I have a few questions...what does everyone do for labels that say "spices?" How do you know whether or not the spices don't have wheat fillers?

Thank you!

[tarnalberry]

I hate it when men assume that nothing else is allowed to bother you around your period. Honestly, I don't think people can understand how it feels to have a basic human need threatened. Do keep talking to them - you've got to stick it out though, and not walk out. Because you walked out, they don't know there was a problem. I understand why - oh I know the feeling! - but in the end, it just makes it worse.

As for spices... if it just says ", spices," I assume it's not safe and call.

[celiac3270]

Spices can have gluten so you need to call the company........unless of course, they're in a product made by a company like Kraft; one that clearly labels gluten.

Sorry you had a bad day.....and too bad that the kitchen staff isn't more understanding of celiac disease

[coin-op]

to answer first post:

bring your own food! Why would you trust someone who gets paid minimum wage and doesn't care? it is your body and your health, only trust yourself.

-cass

[astyanax]

yeah i hate to say it, but in college i just had to make my own food. i barely ate at the dining hall, they promised me gluten-free food and never produced, and in retrospect (i was diagnosed my freshman year) a lot of the food i ate then i never would now. there's too much cross contamination in those kinds of settings (if your dining hall is like mine was) and i was much better off when i finally moved off campus my junior year.

[Guest ~wAvE WeT sAnD~]

Coin-Op:

I see what you are saying, but I just wanted to let you know that my patience with the Food Services Personnel has prevailed. They have my gluten-free breads, pastas, cooking appliances, and food station set up for me.

I'm sorry if you're had negative experiences with other people--I don't like putting my health in someone else's hands, but, for once, it worked

Stay Positive,

[Alexolua]

Great job Jill! Much better to try and educate others, than just not try. =)