Around 30% of people in America follow a gluten-free diet, but what does this lifestyle really look like? For many, it means struggling with limited options at restaurants, constantly fearing cross-contamination, and regularly pre-packing meals. For high schoolers, being gluten-free adds additional layers of stress to already-busy lives.
Emily Prado ‘26 has been gluten-free for almost two years. She explains how, as a student at SHP, she has struggled with avoiding gluten. The school cafeteria has been introducing new gluten-free items, yet Prado mentions these options often run out. If the main dish is not gluten-free, “I have to find something like a protein bar or just eat fruit,” she said. Additionally, whenever the school provides a Goûte, gluten-free students are often left feeling disappointed or excluded. With this, Prado advises all gluten-free students to “be prepared to only have limited options when getting food from the cafeteria. Another great option is just bringing your own food from home, and that way you can ensure that you won’t get glutened.”
Ms. Bowe Ullman has been gluten-free since 2021 due to celiac disease. “They usually are pretty good about labeling what’s gluten-free and offering alternatives,” she says when speaking on the faculty cafeteria’s efforts to help staff with dietary restrictions. She also acknowledges the stress that comes with navigating life with a gluten restriction, especially in restaurants and other public places where she doesn’t have full control over what is in the food. Ms. Bowe Ullman explains the importance of balancing out mental health and physical health, even with dietary restrictions: “I do my best to not cross-contaminate, but I also try to live my life.”
Besides those who avoid gluten due to medical concerns, many are gravitating towards being gluten-free due to its increasing popularity on social media. In particular, the new term ‘gluten sensitivity’ is growing in popularity despite the lack of medical backing. Advocates of this diet claim that avoiding gluten can help increase people’s energy, improve focus, reduce inflammation, and improve gut health. However, many find the potential benefits come at a steep price, as the diet requires immense dedication and the sacrifice of many loved foods. Yet, as more people experiment with cutting out gluten, more restaurants and grocery stores around the Bay Area are improving their efforts to provide a better selection of gluten-free food.
Whether for health or lifestyle, being gluten-free is undoubtedly inconvenient, especially in high school. It requires students to constantly think ahead to their next meal, ensuring they avoid gluten while consuming the proper nutrients and enjoying the foods they love. As more people experiment with cutting out gluten, we hope to raise awareness for the growing gluten-free community and allow them to live a more stress-free life.
