Hi everyone -
I will be a freshman at NYU this fall! I’m very excited to go, but I’m also really nervous about managing my food allergies. I am severely (anaphylaxis and other dangerous adverse reactions) allergic to peanuts, tree nuts, dairy, and shellfish.
Could anyone tell me about resources that NYU offers to help me with this? And if anyone has experience with allergies at NYU, how did you or someone you know navigate dining both on and off campus, social life, campus housing (living with a roommate), and other aspects of university life?
Thank you so much!!!
Congrats on going to NYU! My son is also anaphylactic to peanuts and tree nuts. You should reach out to NYU dining services, and also check out FARE (Foot Allergy Research and Education) website. They have a college list of some schools and the services they provide.
It’s really scary, but if you have your emergency protocol, meds, and a discussion with food services, I think you will feel better. Also bring some same foods with you. Also make sure to communicate with your roommate what you need. Best of luck and have a great time in NYC!
Thanks for your reply! I got approved for a single in a suite, which means that I will have my own room, but will share a suite with other people. Given the severity of my allergies, I’m unsure as to what would be reasonable to ask of my roommates. Since they live there, asking them not to bring things I’m allergic to like pizza and peanut butter would be kind of a tall order. Would it be better to ask them to keep it in their rooms and not in the common area, and to wash their hands after eating?
Was there anything specific your son asked of his roommates that helped him live safely in the room?
Thanks again!
What kind of suite is it? Is there a common kitchen, dining table and couch/ chairs? If so, your roommates and their friends will expect to eat and prepare food in the common area. Even if the common area is just a table, chairs and couch (no kitchen) I don’t think you can expect roommates to not use these areas and only eat and entertain in their rooms.
If your food allergies are so severe, you will probably need to spend your time in your own room or you should get your own apartment (off campus). Even if roommates say they will comply with your allergy needs, if food is cooked and eaten in the kitchen or dining areas, you may be accidentally exposed to problem foods/ allergens despite their good intentions. You will need to stay away, rather than expect them not to have food in their kitchen or on their dining table which is meant for meals.
I do not think it is reasonable to ask your roommates to eat on their beds and not entertain in their suite.
There is no common area or kitchen in the suite, which will make things easier I think.
Thank you for the links. I had read the NYU Allergen guide, but the news article was informative. I appreciate your help.