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Vegan options have strong presence

September 17, 2010

by Lindsey Bosse

 

By now, most to all Lewis & Clark students who have eaten at the Bon realize that there are copious amounts of vegan and vegetarian options. Generally, in the Bon, and other Bon Appétit areas, there are small, circular markers directing the future consumers to whether or not foods contain gluten, meat, seafood, etc.  Vegans note the earthy-green circle while vegetarians look for the burnt-orange circle. These circles indicate that the food is in line with your chosen dietary restrictions.  There is a difference between vegan and vegetarian stickers, so note that detail and don’t accidentally eat dairy products if you don’t want to.  

 

The other dining area in Templeton is the Trail Room. While some things are marked, vegans need to put a certain effort into finding out whether or not their choices will be vegan. At the grill during dinner make sure you ask for the black bean burger without the bun, and then use the flax bread located next to the toaster.  The waffle bar and popcorn are not vegan.  The salad bar is the easiest way to load up on your veggie fix.  For lunch there are always vegan options, generally in the form of a wrap.  Although there are options for both vegans and vegetarians at the Trail Room, going upstairs to the Bon would be the better choice for an on campus meal location with more choices.

 

Outside the walls of Templeton, there are ever more choices for food around campus.  Located between BoDine and Albany is the Dovecote; inside the Roberts apartments and across from East there is Maggies. Within these locations, the special vegan and vegetarian markers still apply to food made by Bon Appétit.  This includes the pastries and sandwiches at Maggies, and the soups and pastries at Dovecote.   

 

At the Dovecote and Maggies, you are also offered an array of choices beyond what Bon Appétit creates. When choosing food not produced by Bon Appétit you may need to be a little more cautious. For example, when buying candy there are not any markers on the piles of Snickers bars or Skittles, but reading the back of the package should inform you whether or not its going to be edible for your particular diet.  Keep in mind, most food companies these days have ingredients with names that no one can comprehend. Just because a food product doesn’t come out and say,” I have dairy in me”, is not an indication that it does not contain dairy.  Unless you can identify every ingredient listed, I would be cautious and avoid consuming that product until you have determined whether it is in line with your values and needs.  Within Dovecote and Maggies, this advice applies to all drinks, snacks and candies that are not on their own personal display case or made by Bon Appétit.  

 

Beyond the offerings from Bon Appétit, there is also the Co-Op. Currently they are looking at adding more vegan and gluten free options.  You can always grab your cup of joe, however, with soymilk.  For now they have your caffeine needs covered, and keep your eyes peeled for more options.  Otherwise, all other food options at the Co-Op are vegetarian friendly ranging from PB&J to grilled cheese.