Oct 10, 2016 05:13 AM EDT By Jane Reed, UniversityHerald Reporter

A few years ago, when someone asks for gluten-free food, one would think that this person is on some big time Hollywood diet in order to lose weight. What many do not know, is that this is a real life issue with many college and university students.

You probably notice some students lugging around a shopping bag filled with wheat free products. That is because some cafeterias and canteens do not actively provide a menu that avoids gluten. So students would need to stock and make their own food, or go home during the weekends for a safer meal.

According to studies read by Thom Kicinski, the executive publisher of Simply Gluten Free, the growth of gluten-free awareness is now larger than before. Because of the greater awareness of diseases coming from gluten, and also because of the changes in the American diet. Some foods are now being processed in a way that caters to this lifestyle.

It is food that triggers celiac disease. Which is why food is the solution to the problem. College students are already finding it hard to keep up with the demands of school. At the same time, they have to make sure their gluten-free lifestyle is being maintained. They have to keep an eye on the food labels and can only go to restaurants that offer gluten-free meals.

But restricted foods are still too expensive. Although some stores already decrease their prices by a little because of the popularity of the lifestyle. These students cannot live on fast food and ready-made meals alone.

If you have celiac disease, diabetes or are trying to maintain a gluten-free lifestyle, it is best to check with the school if they offer such assistance in their food choices. In the meantime, enjoy this gluten free nacho recipe from The Plains Man below.

Ingredients:

For the nachos:

2 potatoes , 1 pack of ground beef, 1 red pepper, 1 jalapeno

For the ranch:

1/2 cup extra light olive oil, 1/2 cup full fat unsweetened coconut milk, 1/2 tsp sea salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1/2 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp granulated garlic.

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400. Cut potatoes into circular slices and place them on a baking sheet. Drizzle them olive oil and sprinkle salt, then bake in the oven for 35-45 minutes or until crispy.

2. Chop red pepper and jalapeño into little bites and cook on a skillet on medium heat until soft.

3. Cook the ground beef on the stove on medium heat until brown.

4. While everything is cooking, make your sauce (you are free to make your own here).

5. Once the potatoes, peppers, jalapeños and meat are done, begin to top the potatoes with the ingredients. Then pour sauce on top.

See Now: Covert Team Inside Newsweek Revealed as Key Players in False Human Trafficking Lawsuit