Junior visual communications major Kristen Reed is just like any other person; she enjoys a great meal. She watches other students walk out of the Noyer Complex with wraps, hamburgers and paninis, but she cannot.
With celiac disease, an allergy to wheat, gluten and all of its derivatives, she is limited to specially prepared meals offered by Ball State.
That is just the regular life and frustrations of a student with special dietary needs.
"Unfortunately eating is part of everyone's daily life, and if you stick to the normal eating pattern, you encounter it three times a day," Reed said. "I'm constantly going [to Noyer], and being frustrated with my lack of options has left me completely unsatisfied with dining."
Dining Services offers many different options for the 20 students on campus with special dietary needs, but with a limited diet, students' experiences vary.
Senior visual communications major Brianna Finney said Ball State helps to create a comfortable environment by pairing students with a chef.
"When I lived on campus, the relationship I had with the chefs were professional, but they were also really helpful when it came to finding things I could actually eat," she said. "Many of the dining facilities carry dietary products, but unfortunately there is not a lot of variety in the specialty items."
Noyer chef Allen White said the chefs that cater to the students with specific dietary needs face many challenges when creating meals, but after nine years of the program, they have learned how to accommodate everyone.
Common allergies chefs work around include gluten, dairy, peanuts, spinach and wheat.
White said every time he makes a meal, he keeps one thing in mind, "Would I eat this?"
"The meal plans are one-on-one, and there is no mass feeding because of contamination," he said. "Each student comes in and we work around their schedule because everyone's classes are different. We even have a few athletes and students where we need provide sack meals."
While the meals could become mundane, White tries to mix up the meals and even offers a surprise on student's birthdays.
"I do special birthday cakes for students if they want something fun and a change," he said. "I try to make cookies and different things I would enjoy if I was in their place. We give them a list of snacks with candy bars and chips they can eat, so they are aware there are other things than the ‘boring food.'"
Finney said Ball State offers a lot of options, but it's difficult to be a "regular college student."
"I don't feel like a lot of the regular staff really understand the limitations that come with food allergies," she said. "The lack of gluten-free products in places is frustrating as well. I have only seen salad dressings and the occasional chips being gluten- or wheat-free."
To receive these special meals takes a process that begins at orientation or when the student first enrolls.
Elizabeth Poore, assistant director of operations for Dining Services, said the first step is to submit medical records and then have a one-on-one meeting with her.
"If they are newly diagnosed, they are more hypervigilant about it and more cautious," Poore said. "No matter what it is, it is a very emotional thing for them because they have to live with it every day. The severity of the reaction can be anaphylactic shock, death or hives."
Reed said the lack of time in her schedule prevents her from being able to cook, so the quick snacks from Noyer are helpful.
"Having to focus on my diet is just one more thing that I really don't want to have to stress over," she said.
Read More
Stretch of cooler temperatures entering into the weekend
By Evan Reed / 4 hours agoWeather Forecaster Evan Reed has the latest on the continuing cooler temperatures next week.
Self-immolation outside Manhattan courthouse where Trump trial is adjourned
By Staff Reports / 12 hours agoA person, who was later identified as Max Azzarello, self-immolated outside of the Manhattan courthouse where former president Donald Trump is on trial. Azzarello was extinguished and rushed away by emergency services. He is in critical condition at Weill Cornell Medicine - Burn Center, according to a press conference held by the New York Police Department (NYPD).
The closure of the historic Mark III Tap Room impacts Muncie’s LGBTQ+ community.
By Meghan Holt / 18 hours agoPatrons of the oldest gay bar in Indiana reflect on how it affected their lives.
