The Marketplace at Perry offers an option for students and faculty who have celiac disease. The Smart Bar, located to the right of the salad bar, provides limited gluten-free options.
Chef Dana Clemmons said she is concerned many students and faculty are not aware of the Smart Bar.
The Smart Bar does not only service students with special dietary needs. Any guest in Perry may visit the Smart Bar and have a specialty dish prepared in front of them. Meals prepared at the Smart Bar offer healthy options to those who wish to maintain a healthy diet.
Megan Grimes, a sophomore majoring in biomedical engineering, was not even aware MSU offered gluten-free options.
“I think it is great that State is so concerned about the health of its students,” Grimes said.
Currently, Aramark representatives tell students with special dietary needs to call ahead in order to have more substantial meals prepared.
With an increase in student interest in the Smart Bar, the Aramark directors said they will continue to improve the program. If the Smart Bar services a minimum of 50 students during the current hours of operation, Aramark will open additional dinner hours.
Many restaurants advertise gluten-free options on menus and in advertisements. As a result of the prevalence of wheat-processed food items, gluten can be found in most food products worldwide. Gluten is a protein found in products that have been processed with wheat.
Many people are born with or have developed a gluten intolerance.
Addy Douell, freshman microbiology major, was diagnosed with celiac disease roughly two years ago.
“I already knew what food tasted like, and it was hard when the doctor came in one day and said I couldn’t have most of what I liked anymore,” she said.
Celiac disease is an autoimmune and digestive disorder in which the body cannot tolerate gluten. Individuals with celiac disease must maintain a completely gluten-free diet. Failure to do so can result in dangerous health complications including digestive complications, malnutrition, ulcers and anemia.
Those who have celiac disease can live a normal, healthy life as long as they carefully monitor their diets.
Douell said she does find that having celiac can put strains on her relationships in social situations.
“I don’t want people to feel bad about eating in front of me,” she said.
Aramark encourages students and faculty to visit the Smart Bar in the Perry Cafeteria during the current hours of operation, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.