TIPS FOR COLLEGE-BOUND STUDENTS WITH FOOD ALLERGIES

When a student with food allergies applies to college, food allergies must be considered along with academic, financial, and social fit. As a lawyer, a parent of a teenager with multiple food allergies, and an active advocate for Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) on both the local and national level, I understand the legwork that is needed to safely transition from high school to college.

While food allergies affect roughly 11% of adults in the U.S. and allergic reactions are becoming more common among young adults and adolescents, colleges are often not prepared to adequately support students with food allergies.  Research shows that students with food allergies experience social events differently, feel excluded or awkward (they eat before attending social events where food is present), and feel that they are a burden to their friend group. Many students at college with food allergies feel worried or anxious about living with roommates who consume their allergens in their room.

When a student with food allergies goes to college, they will want to easily be able to find safe food to eat.  These students will want to consider where they will be eating: in a dorm room or shared dorm kitchen, in off-campus housing, in a campus dining hall, at a nearby restaurant, at a sorority or fraternity house.  Food allergies are challenging to manage.  There is no “cure” except avoiding one’s allergens, and students must be diligent in doing so.  Food allergies require multiple types of research:  1) where to eat safely; 2) how to live safely; and 3) academic accommodations (not all food allergic students will need all three of these).

 Contact me to get started with a college plan for your student.