Different kinds of school foods should be different to accommodate everyone’s special diets. With that being said, the cafeteria at MACES should alternate between foods or have some options so everyone can enjoy their food. There are mixed emotions about the food students get.“I feel like they give a secondary option, I think they should give healthy alternative things,” Hamzah Saleh, a junior says. Saleh cannot eat beef, pork, or chicken that the school gives because it goes against his religion so his family purchases special meat. 

Saleh also has cousins who attend MACES and brothers who graduated from MACES he believes that since his religion requires special meals, the school should be able to provide that for them. “They have so many resources so it shouldn’t be hard to get their hands on special meat because the Arab population is small,” Saleh said. 

Saleh goes on to give some options that he feels should be included. “I eat plant-based meats, so I would feel comfortable if we got some vegan options, or something as simple as mac and cheese.” 

He also mentions that there should be dairy-free options because “we have to care about our lactose-intolerant people,” Saleh says. Husni Saleh A junior recommends, “Halal food, mac and cheese, and more pasta.” Saleh is decently lactose intolerant. 

With having students who have a certain religion and certain foods they can and cannot eat, there are also lactose intolerant and vegetarian students. “The school should have juices instead of milk because milk should not be the only option. Nothing expensive. With all the fruit that is not eaten. They should make juices instead of letting it go to waste,” Angelie Perez, a sophomore said.

Perez is lactose intolerant and she brings her own lunch when she has time but usually, she eats school food.“I have a lot of mixed emotions about school food. Sometimes we get lucky and it is really good but other times I can’t even stand to look at it,” Perez says. 

 Being a vegetarian in a school that either serves just meat or just cheese and bread can be hard for many including sophomore Alexandria Castro. “Students do need healthy alternatives because consuming processed foods is not nourishing. Rather than packaged meals, the school can provide foods with fresh ingredients. I personally do not eat at school but, I bring my own food from home because there are little to no meat options” Castro says. 

 Many who cannot consume dairy or simply do not like it have no other options, “Dairy-free days are needed because this promotes a healthy diet. Dairy has negative effects on our bodies and has excess saturated fats and sugar. Milk should not be given with every meal there are so many alternatives. I think a more fattening meal at school can interfere with the health of students. This increases the risk of poor health, a more balanced meal is the better option,” Castro says. 

Some students go through the day without eating because there are no options fit for their diets, “Schools should definitely provide meals that are meatless or breadless because it has been preventing students from eating at school. A meal should be provided for everyone no matter their choice of diet,” Castro says.