<p>Hi,
I go to UPenn. It's a great school and all, but dorm food is taking a toll on my sensitive stomach. It was ok to a point, but the lack of variety and overall food quality aren't doing me any favors. My dorm doesn't have a kitchen, so cooking is not an option (not that I am an amazing chef or anything). Any suggestions?</p>
<p>Is a meal plan optional for you? If so, you might be able to skip that construct a budget for each semester in order to fit your dining needs. I can’t say much more since my school is spoiled with good dining; and so I really can’t use an analogy.</p>
<p>Penn is right next to a Fresh Grocer and many other food places like chipotle; try those places instead of the dining hall food. Or maybe go to the kosher dining hall.</p>
<p>There is no reason why you need to only eat the dorm food. You need to get creative and get off campus for something better. Either start eating more fresh and unprepared items or see what you can do in your own room.</p>
<p>First of all find out what you are allowed in your room. Can you have a small fridge? What about a microwave? If you are allowed these things there are many things that you can make yourself. If you can’t have the microwave, there is probably a spot very close to you on campus that has one for students to use.</p>
<p>Anyone can keep fresh fruit as well as other things in their room. You will be healthier if you keep fruit to eat for snacks. You can also keep non-perishables that are decently healthy such as crackers and peanut butter. </p>
<p>Have you fully explored what is close by that offers food that you like and your body can handle. You might find that there are some places close by that you can go to once a day to get a meal that agrees with you and is affordable.</p>
<p>Make an appointment with Bon Appetit, the company that manages Penn food service. (Ask the manager in your dining hall for contact information and a suggested time to call or visit.) Explain what you’ve been able to figure out about what foods you can and can’t eat. Ask respectfully for suggestions and really pay attention. I’ve heard that Bon Appetit tries to work with students who have special dietary needs, so treat this person as you would a professor whose class you’re failing. You may be surprised at the results.</p>
<p>I understand this fully. Last year when i was in the dorms i got sick to the point where i could barely handle some sort of starch, meat, and veggie (most of the time plain salad). Everything that was cooked by the people who ran the buffet meals was pretty much greasy.</p>
<p>When i go back this fall, i’m planning on being in an oncampus appartment so i can cook my own meals. I am gluten free, grease free (pretty much), and tomato free. It would be much easier for me as well, because i would have had to coordinate with the cooks on a weekly basis on what i want and when during there set times.</p>