How might having a food allergy be especially difficult in college, and what might you do differently if you learned that your roommate had a severe allergy to some type of food?

Answer 1

1. Checking with the school cafeteria about foods with peanut products; in particular, the following list would be helpful to share with the foodservice personnel:
a. any peanut oil
b. ground or mixed nuts
c. peanuts; peanut butter; peanut flour
d. ethnic foods (due to cross-contamination)
e. baked goods; candy; chocolate (an issue at social events)
f. cereals; crackers
g. chili and spaghetti sauce (often peanut butter and/or peanut flour is used)
h. hydrolyzed plant protein; hydrolyzed vegetable protein
i. ice creams, frozen yogurts, tofutti
j. marzipan and nougat
2. Management of one’s food budget at grocery stores and at restaurants.
3. A roommate could help by making sure shared dishes and kitchen and bathroom surfaces are wiped clean and always washing hands prior to handling items within the room.
4. A roommate could help with relationship concerns (kissing; hand holding; hugging).
5. A roommate needs to know where any allergy medications (such as epinephrine) are located and have access; in addition, the roommate may need to familiarize himself/herself with how to use 911 effectively with campus security so that no time is lost in case of an emergency.