Nine tips for navigating food allergies on campus 

IU Dining Dietitian Lauren Bartholomew (M.S., RDN) is here to help our new students find the meals that fuel and nourish their IU experience. Faculty and staff who have IU meal plans may also consult with an IU Dining dietitian. When in doubt, reach out!

1. 1. Reach out yourself (don’t have your parents do it). Questions about your food allergies and sensitivities, preferences and avoidances, or related medical conditions? Email our IU Dining Dietitian to talk through your personal dietary needs and create a plan for meal options across campus.
      
      Lauren Bartholomew, Registered Dietitian
   2. Emergency kit & plan. IU students with severe food allergies should prepare and keep handy an anaphylaxis emergency kit that includes at least one epinephrine injector (EpiPen). Draft an emergency allergy plan that lists your name, date of birth, allergies, typical allergic responses (mild and severe), emergency contact, and instructions on when to use the EpiPen. Please make note of an emergency ID necklace or bracelet if you have one.
   3. Notify your community. Be sure your roommate and Resident Assistant are aware of any severe allergies or restrictions (celiac or peanut, for example) and continue to notify others as needed—close friends, professors, group leaders—by sharing the emergency plan described in No. 2. 
   4. On-site assistance. IU’s AllerTrain-certified chefs and managers are on location during open hours at each residential dining hall to answer questions, and they want to hear from you! Student feedback has led to changes now enjoyed by all students, including the addition of plant-based milks and protein options, beef brisket, fresh berries at breakfast, and new Friendsgiving meals in November.
   5. Learn the symbols. IU food labels typically represent items containing the nine major allergens: dairy, eggs, fish, gluten, peanuts, sesame, shellfish, soy, tree nuts (*plus coconut). Preference symbols are used to note vegan, vegetarian, beef, pork, and halal options. *FDA classifies coconut as a tree nut
   6. Free From IX. This popular McNutt station offers three meals a day seven days a week. All dishes are free of the major nine allergens: dairy, wheat, soy, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, fish, and shellfish and are prepared on separate equipment by specially trained staff.
   7. Worry Free. Also open seven days a week with three meals a day, Worry Free in Forest Dining Hall offers food free from gluten, peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, and fish. This concept’s menu items will be cooked-to-order by a staff member.
   8. NetNutrition and Nutrislice. Find an online daily listing of all residential dining options (also available through on-site scan at McNutt, Forest, and Collins). Use NetNutrition to build meals using filters for location, nutritional content, preferences, and ingredients.
   9. Dining e-newsletter. If you reported food allergies or dietary needs during registration for campus housing, or have a current IU Dining meal plan, you’ll receive the monthly Inclusive Dining newsletter. If you still need to report dietary needs, it’s not too late! Email us at nutrinfo@indiana.edu and subscribe to the newsletter online.