“That’s just what they say,” I thought to myself the first time I heard about a gluten-free diet being healthier for both the body and the brain.
Fast forward years later to this past September as I walk through the doors of Carleton’s Fresh Food Company dining hall in Residence Commons—I am a first-year student determined to stick to my gluten-free regimen.
Pizza, pasta, and pastries aside, I embark on a quest for all things gluten-free.
I am going to say that sticking to a gluten-free diet at school is a constant hit-or-miss for me.
Some days, I exit the dining hall with a full stomach, proud of myself for only eating gluten-free foods, but on others, I find myself leaving slightly disappointed because the meal’s options didn’t give me much choice but to succumb to cravings for bread and burgers to fill me up.
Interested in the extent to which Carleton does accommodate gluten-free students both on and off-campus, I venture across campus with my wallet full and notebook ready.
I inquire at popular outlets such as Loeb Café, Tunnel Junction, the Food Court, and Baker’s Restaurant but to no avail. Save for the option of gluten-free toast at Baker’s, for the most part, I had to stick to soup, salad, and assorted fruit at these locations.
Determined to find some sort of gluten-free alternative options at one of Carleton Dining Services’ locations, I came across the gluten-free pantry located in the Fresh Food Company dining hall.
It is available to students who can provide documentation proving a wheat allergy, celiac disease, or a non-celiac gluten sensitivity.
The pantry is accessible to these students at every mealtime, but requires either an on or off-campus meal plan.
Nevertheless, the initiative is the first of its kind in Canada according to Carleton’s Fresh Food Company website, and benefits many students who qualify for it.
Next, I try a popular, student-run eating location, the newly renovated Rooster’s Coffeehouse, to check out what they had to offer.
When asked about what meal he would suggest to his gluten-free clients, their manager, Ron Barrette said “students faces light up when they find out they can have a grilled cheese sandwich on gluten-free [bread].”
Rooster’s also offers a gluten-free bread alternative for the majority of their sandwiches.
Overall, Carleton is a campus that can somewhat accommodate those looking for gluten-free options, but you have to put in a little extra effort to find these accommodations.
The gluten-free pantry is an excellent initiative for those with the required documentation, however, for the rest of us who are gluten-free by choice, sticking to our habits takes a little bit of scouting around.
“As our awareness of this sensitivity to gluten grows, it is hard for me to see a future without more gluten-free options on campus,” Barrette said.
Until then, it is just a matter of knowing your options and planning your meals accordingly. Bon appétit!
