Donuts, pizza, cookies, cupcakes, breakfast burritos—and the list goes on and on. These are only a few of the food freebies often seen on college campuses. And while diverse in course and taste, they all have one thing in common. food-sensitive groups cannot—or at least, should not—eat these!
Individuals living with Celiac disease, wheat allergies or non-celiac gluten sensitivities often opt for eating home-cooked meals to prevent the possibility of any cross-contamination mishaps. Similarly, those with milk allergies or lactose intolerance must be picky with their choices.
University organizations and planning committees shouldn’t ignore these groups when planning free meals or treats, especially with the rise in conversations regarding gut health in recent years. Instead of the usual staples, let’s consider more mindful treats.
Here’s a list of ways to appeal to food-sensitive groups on college campuses—or even in your friend groups.
Know your peers.
Whether you’re a part of a university organization or just someone who loves hosting people, know who the members of the group are and find out the dietary restrictions within the mix, before making any food-related decisions.
Only one or two persons may need special accommodations—in some cases more. Either way, don’t leave them out of the discussion.
You should plan for them.
Planning for them doesn’t mean scrapping the entire meal idea or making the rest of the group suffer either.
Planning means leaving a little extra room in the budget by cutting down on the quantity of the initial food items. Funds left over can easily be used to favor those who can’t eat what the greater group will.
Don’t let them feel left out.
Even if the budget is too tight for this, seek out other ways to grant them little tokens of appreciation. This could be with certified-safe, store-bought snacks or with keepsakes.
It may seem insignificant to someone who isn’t a part of these food-sensitive groups, but compassion shouldn’t be conditional. So, the next time you find yourself around the table planning meals, take the time necessary to consider these tips.
cooglife@thedailycougar.com
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