Hi Bulls!
As the Registered Dietitian for USF Dining, I receive all kinds of questions and requests for dietary allergens and restrictions. The most popular request I receive is for gluten-free recipes and products. Whether you choose gluten free due to an allergy, an intolerance, or just personal preference, USF has a lot to offer! Our best resource is the made-without-gluten brochure we have on our dining website. Click here to view USF’s Guide to Gluten Solutions Options on Campus. This brochure provides an extensive list of every food item available at each of our on-campus dining facilities that is made without gluten.
There are also plenty of options at our dining halls, The Hub and Juniper Dining. At the Hub, there is a station called True Balance. This station only makes recipes that are made without the top 8 known food allergens (peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, wheat, soy, dairy, and eggs). We also offer other items around the dining hall at various stations. The grill offers gluten free buns for their burgers. The deli has gluten-free bread, as well as a case for gluten free desserts like cookies and brownies. Certain items are available by request such as pizza crust and waffles. At Juniper Dining, there are similar options. There is a dessert case located at the Gluten Solutions station. As the name implies, this station only offers recipes with ingredients that are made without gluten. Juniper has cauliflower pizza dough and gluten-free pasta. I encourage students to ask for a manager at either dining hall whenever there is a specific food item they are looking for. The managers are happy to assist in helping them find options that fit their needs. They are trained on dietary restrictions and understand the importance of making accommodations for our students.
For all our dining halls, I have created signage that lists all the available items we offer that are made-without-gluten (check out the sample sign for The Hub on the right!). There are many students who have asked for greater variety and information regarding what options are available, so I feel it’s necessary and beneficial to provide resources like the ones mentioned here. If there are ever any food items that you would like to have available on campus, please let us know! There are many other students just like you who would benefit from having them available.
If you would like to discuss how you can navigate using your meal plan on campus with a food allergy, intolerance, or special dietary restriction, please do not hesitate to contact me. I’m here for you!
Stay safe, stay healthy!
-Karina
nutrition-nook.com 