Living with allergies on campus… and what to know to stay safe and healthy.
Taking my high school education to a new level, beyond the books and papers, I learned an extremely valuable lesson at the lunch table my senior year. It was then that I discovered I had a food allergy. Diving into my typical mid-day meal, I was oblivious to what was about to happen. After my turkey sandwich, I took a nice hearty bite out of an apple, and—well—never did that again. My friend, from across the table looked at me in shock, and I’ll never forget the expression on her face when she asked, “Uhh…Morgan? Is your mouth supposed to be that red?” In response, I looked at her thinking she was crazy, not realizing what was happening. “What do you mean? I’m fine,” I returned, blissfully indulging in the fruit once more. It was then I realized it wasn’t fine, and that the apple I was eating had caused my mouth to swell, and suddenly become itchy and red, leading to a reaction.
For those of us with food allergies, we know what a harrowing task it can be to find a fitting, healthy, and safe meal to eat. Sorting through the options, often times to no avail, can leave us frustrated, unsure, and well — hungry. The truth is, at the collegiette level, picking a proper meal can be tricky, let alone when serious and sometimes fatal food allergies are thrown into the mix. For this reason, it’s more important than ever to pay attention, and really look at what is being offered, and see how it coincides with your daily diet.
Taking my friend’s advice to visit the nurse, I then discovered I was having an acute reaction to birch—a common allergen found in fresh fruits and vegetables, especially in the New England area. Now, this allergy (later termed: “Oral Allergy Syndrome”) is an increasingly popular condition in the Northeast. Retrospectively, I should have known, as I usually became irritated slightly when eating fruit, but never really thought anything of it until that day. Now, five years later, I still carry an EpiPen for this reason. This allergy includes not only apples, but also a whole number of other fresh produce —green beans, basil, peaches, plums, and even tree nuts such as walnuts, pine nuts, and almonds. Be aware, folks, because this type of allergy, though it may seem minor, can become quite severe if unacknowledged.
There are many different types of allergies, including the one I mentioned. There is Celiac’s (which is merely gluten intolerance), lactose (all dairy), nuts, and shellfish to name a few. Though most dining halls and restaurants take it upon themselves to be make sure you are aware of ingredients, it’s important to take a few extra minutes yourself to know for sure.
Boston College, BC Dining Services, and the Office of Health Promotion do a very good job at providing students and staff with adequate information about the food that they are consuming. However, there’s always room for error, and that’s why taking note of the risks is very important.
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I’m not sure how many of you carry an EpiPen, or have ever used one, but it is a frightening thought. I have one in my bag every day, and I am constantly thinking about what I eat to ensure never having to use it. The dining halls do in fact have EpiPens on site, but you can never be too safe as to be carrying your own with you at all times, if you do suffer from severe allergies. At the end of the day, your health and wellbeing is your responsibility, and no one else’s, so if this applies to you, make sure you are prepared just in case.
I truly cannot stress enough the importance of asking questions. As a reporter, I am pre-programmed to be the inquisitive type—I always have been—asking what is in something, where it was made, all of those things, especially because I have a few allergies myself. Ever since I was in grade school, I was always the kid in math class raising my hand millions of times because I wanted to clarify what I didn’t understand. There were just concepts I didn’t get, as numbers are not my area of expertise, but the reason I bring this up is that it’s important to apply this sort of mentality to taking care of your body. There is no joking with regards to the severity of some food related allergies and the reactions they can cause. I have personally experienced a few reactions over the years that have, thankfully, been minor, but could have easily escalated to something more severe.
My point in saying this is that you can never be too sure about what you are eating. Whether it comes from a ‘safe’ campus dining hall, or not, it is very important to check up on the ingredients, as well as what it was cooked with. And what it was cooked beside, and in. These things may seem minor but believe me, they make a huge difference when it comes to the potency of the food that you eat, and even the slightest cross contamination or mixed ingredient may very well be fatal. Do your best to avoid miscommunication and simply ask what is in the food if you have any remote question about its contents. Make sure that the person serving you is well aware of your dietary concerns. This, though it may seem “high maintenance” and pesky, is the very thing that will make the difference for your health. People will respect the initiative you are taking to ensure your health and safety.
A few examples of initiatives around campus might include the ‘allergy free’ lines in the dining hall. These stations promote healthy eating, but also provide the basics for those with complex allergies. It is typically ‘gluten-free’ friendly, with sides of rice, a vegetable dish of some kind (always sautéed and fully cooked), as well as a choice of protein (meat such as chicken, beef or steak). Though this certainly won’t accommodate everyone, it’s a start, and often times combating food allergies tends to employ the notion that ‘simplicity is key.’
Currently, BC Dining has a few different initiatives in place to promote healthy eating and personal wellness, which go hand-in-hand with the whole notion of eating healthy and dining safely, even with allergies. Nourish, for instance, is a campaign started recently at BC to promote well-rounded, healthy eating. Coupled with the awareness of food allergies, like the ‘allergy free’ line in Mac, students should be well on their way to eating better, and being more aware and in control of what they choose to eat.
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A Boston College alum that I spoke with, Sagar Wadgaonkar ’12, said he discovered a rare shellfish allergy after running in track practice during his senior year of high school.
“I had shrimp for lunch—I had had them my entire life. Being from New Orleans, it was a typical meal.” The doctors concluded that it was a combination of the potent shellfish and the endorphins that came along with running.
“It was very scary—it came on fast, and I didn’t know what was happening.” Such is true about most severe allergic reactions – they can often catch us off guard, especially when we are doing routine, every day tasks such as running, or simply indulging in a meal we didn’t take the time to investigate.
“It was eye-opening for me… I didn’t even know this type of allergy existed, but, now that I do, I’m a whole lot more conscious before I eat and work out right afterwards.”
Another BC alum, a member of the class of 2012, had a bit of a different experience when it came to allergies on campus. For her, being gluten intolerant, she remembers having a lot of trouble finding suitable options during her freshman year.
“It was just tough—because GF options weren’t as popular at the time, it became a pain to find good things beyond salads, grilled chicken, and the occasional plate of nachos.” Readers should also be aware of the growing popularity and severity of ‘exercise induced’ allergies. Yes, you read correctly, it is actually true that some allergies, such as shellfish in Sagar’s case, may result in heightened anaphylaxis – a result of the chemicals released during exercise and adrenaline mixing with the chemicals in the food.
Though it may seem uncanny, this type of rare allergy may heighten the risk of a reaction, so it’s important to be aware of. If you have any question about feeling lightheaded, short of breath, or uneasy after eating a questionable food product, make sure you seek help right away. Also, it would be wise to talk to your physician, or an allergist, about the specific risks involved with your own allergy, and how to be aware of these possible triggers.
Matt Laud, BC 2011, remembers having EpiPens mounted on the walls of his camp dining hall as a kid, and that was the first time he had been exposed to the whole notion of allergies and severe reactions. Coming to BC, then, it is no surprise that people take extra precautions to ensure the safety and security of the community with regards to allergies, but even in Mac and other prime dining locations, they are not mounted in clear view, which could pose an issue as far as timing.
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One tip to avoid an allergic reaction is to carry a small pocket size list around with you, either in the back of your phone case or even in your wallet—similar to a medical card— so that you always have verification of your food allergies on hand. This might sound silly, but believe me it will make a big difference if you ever find yourself in a compromising situation, and it really only takes a few minutes to do.
So, next time you head out to grab a bite, remember a few key things:
- Take a look at what’s in the dish and what’s surrounding the food.
- Reflect on your restrictions and be informed about what exactly you are allergic to. That way, when a server asks, you will be able to tell them your exact allergies without a possible mix up.
- When in doubt, ASK! Again, I cannot stress this enough. Perhaps it’s my personality, but I truly cannot tell you how important it is to take initiative when it comes to your own health. Knowledge is power, and staying informed about ingredients and the potential reaction is key. Truthfully, if there is ever a question in your mind, I urge you to ask. One question may save you from a whole lot of aggravation, and, may even save your life or a friend’s life.
Overall, there’s no getting around the fact that it’s tough to have food allergies, and it makes dining out a bit more stressful. But, with the proper precautions and with the right information, you should have no problem staying informed about what’s healthy for you to eat here on campus—just be sure to always ask questions before you try something, and carry these good habits on to wherever you go to eat, both BC and beyond.
Photo Sources:
http://www.skinnymom.com/2012/…