It can be difficult finding vegetarian, gluten-free and vegan options for food anywhere — let alone on campus. Luckily, the University of Saskatchewan has some hidden gems when it comes to alternative food choices and the Sheaf is here to help you out!

Marquis Culinary Centre offers a meal plan for students, but they also have a daily buffet with many vegetarian and gluten-free options, which costs $11.45. Their salad bar is offered daily and is always a safe option, but they also have specials that are marked as to whether or not they are gluten-free, vegetarian and even vegan, in some cases.

Marquis offers a 28 day rotating menu, and every day they aim to have several options for students who are vegetarian or gluten-free. Everything is labelled clearly so you don’t have to worry about cross-contamination. Possible options include rosemary roasted potatoes, basmati rice and a deli sandwich bar.

The Choices cafeteria at St. Thomas More College also offers a lot of options for students. Their regular menu features a completely separate gluten-free menu, with options for breakfast, lunch and dessert — including a gluten-free brownie.

They offer two soup options each day, and one is always gluten-free or vegan, and sometimes both. Their gluten-free sandwiches are also prepared in a separate area to avoid cross-contamination. Many of their daily lunch buffet items are also gluten-free, vegetarian or vegan and are labelled clearly. Options include vegan potato and vegetable soup or pan-fried zucchini. Choices has a daily lunch buffet which costs $8 for students, but you can also order off the regular menu anytime.

In Lower Place Riel, there are a number of food venues to choose from. Extreme Pita has salads and smoothie options which fit vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free requirements. Their wraps and flatbread pizzas also come in vegetarian options. Also in Lower Place, Harvey’s does a really excellent veggie burger, although they don’t have a gluten-free bun option.

Umi Sushi Express and the Flaming Wok both have good variety for students as well. The sushi is gluten-free and they offer a veggie sushi with avocado and cucumber for vegetarians and vegans. The Flaming Wok does rice noodle bowls, which are also gluten-free if you order it without the spring roll. If you don’t add a meat option, many of the dishes are also vegetarian.

The Le Crepe Bistro also offers rice noodle bowls, which can be gluten-free or vegetarian. Their crepes aren’t gluten-free but they do have some vegetarian options. You can also find some gluten-free and vegetarian options at Treats, Vanelli’s and Mac’s, although the selection can be limited.

Louis’ and Louis’ Loft are both good for finding gluten-free and vegetarian options. The Loft has a number of salad bowls with quinoa or rice noodles, which are gluten-free and can be vegetarian, depending on the dish. They also have a vegan quesadilla, and many of their items are marked if they can be made into vegetarian or vegan if desired.

Louis’ offers a number of salads which are safe options, as well as a portobello burger, which is vegetarian but not gluten-free, because of the bun. Additionally, they have nachos that are made with gluten-free corn chips, as well as a gluten-free beer. If you go up to the Loft you can order from both the Loft’s and Louis’ menu, which is convienent.

Other cafeterias located around the campus may have options for vegetarian and gluten-free meals and snacks, as well as coffee places like Starbucks and Tim Hortons, which have some food products that are gluten-free and vegetarian. Although this list is not a complete guide, hopefully it will be a good starting point on your way to eating vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free on campus this year.

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Naomi Zurevinski / Editor-in-Chief

Graphic: Lesia Karalash / Graphics Editor