University of Oregon students Briana Jones and Jasmine Creighton-Manis have made a habit of pacing supermarket aisles and compulsively checking the backs of food labels. Both women, who developed gluten sensitivities during their time at the UO, are still adjusting to life with this dietary concern.
Gluten sensitivity, which does not currently have its own diagnosis, differs from celiac disease because it can affect anyone at any stage of their life and reactions to gluten are generally not as severe. The Center for Celiac Research and Treatment estimates that about 6 percent of all people are gluten sensitive.
“Being gluten-free is going to be hard anywhere because there are a lot of things you have to give up,” Jones said, adding that gluten appears in places you wouldn’t necessarily expect it — soy sauce, salad dressings and soups.
Both students acknowledge the difficulties associated with the allergy but commend Eugene on being particularly tolerant.
“Eugene is really good for people with weird diets — it’s just a funky town,” said Creighton-Manis, a freshman living in the residence halls.
In addition to a number of restaurants with popular gluten-free products — including Sweet Life Patisserie, Laughing Planet Café, Holy Cow Foods, Off the Waffle and Café Yumm among others — Eugene has its own gluten intolerance support group, which meets monthly.
Eugene is also home to Capella Market, Sundance Natural Foods and The Kiva Grocery stores, which in addition to selling locally produced food are known for their large selection of gluten-free products, among other specialty items.
For Creighton-Manis, varying her diet can be a bit of a challenge.
“Eating in the dorms is a lot harder. Sometimes I just get a bowl full of chicken,” she said. “I eat the same stuff every day.”
That being said, visiting a friend at Seattle Pacific University and eating on their campus put things in perspective for her.
“Overall, I think (UO’s dining facilities) do a great job given they’re dorms,” she said.
Both women agreed Trader Joe’s, Safeway and Market of Choice are among Eugene’s top gluten-free grocery stores, but Jones’ favorite doesn’t quite fit the mold: “Surprisingly, Wal-Mart is the easiest place for me to find gluten-free stuff … They have a section designated to just gluten-free snacks.”
Whether it’s on campus, in a restaurant, a grocery store or a support group, both students made it clear that Eugene makes the dietary concern a little easier on them.
“I definitely have to think more and be more aware, but living in Eugene, I wouldn’t say it’s hard,” Creighton-Manis said.