Re: SCD and Living away at college

[Guest guest]

Hi ! (I sent this to your email, but I'm not sure if you received it, so

I'll post it on here too.)

My name is Alyse, and I'm the college student doing the SCD at school. I'm a

junior at Ohio University. I was diagnosed with Crohn's this past March after

about six months of sickness. I started the diet the day after I was diagnosed,

and I have only taken a steroid for my Crohn's. Since then, I've been off meds

for probably four months, and I feel 100 times better than I was before. On this

diet I have gained a little over half of the twenty pounds I lost.

One key reason why I have been so successful with this new lifestyle is my

mom's hardcore cooking skills and the help of the dining hall staff at my

school. Immediately after my diagnosis, my mom and I got in contact with the

head chef at OU and had a meeting to discuss the diet. I had meals made

specifically for me every day. The dining hall chefs, after stressing the

importance of the diet, were able to cook my SCD meals. The head chef made

yogurt for me, but my mom also made me yogurt and would drive it up to me, so I

could make a shake in my dorm room.

Another helpful thing was requesting a second refrigerator/freezer in my dorm

room. That way my mom was able to make and freeze me foods for snacks and

breakfasts. I think my freezer was always fully stocked with pancakes, ice

cream, and almond puffs. I believe most schools will provide an extra fridge or

a larger one for students with food allergies or special dietary needs. That

would be a great question when looking at colleges. It's also important to ask

how accommodating the dining services is to special dietary needs. I know at OU

there is a dietary specialist who handles special meals. Getting in contact with

these people makes the transition so much easier.

Sorry, that was a lot longer than I anticipated. I hope it is a bit helpful. If

you have anymore questions, please don't hesitate to ask. The transition into

this diet and college is scary and can be overwhelming, but it can be done and

for me, personally, it was the best decision. I think having a head start on the

diet before your daughter enters college will make the transition easier.

Good luck with everything and please let me know if there's anything else I can

do.

-Alyse

Almost 6 months on SCD and going strong!

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> > A good friend's college age daughter was just diagnosed with Chrone's. I'm

trying to educate her on the benefits of SCD, but her mom feels as though she

won't be able to stick with the diet while living away at college. Do any of

you have any experience with trying to stay on the diet while living away? I

don't want to push the diet if it isn't possible to adhere to it. Thanks in

advance.

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