Nutrition and Allergy Support
The family guide to supporting your student's nutrition!
Whether your student has dietary restrictions, food allergies or is simply learning to make nutritious choices on their own, NC State offers dining options, allergy support and wellness resources to help them thrive. Throughout our operations, we emphasize fresh foods and wellness to help students pursue a healthier lifestyle that can be embraced long after their time at NC State.
Parents and families are encouraged to take time to explore the resources below to learn how to support their students’ nutrition and health throughout their college journey.
Allergy Support
- Safe Eats: NC State’s dedicated food allergy group for students to find community and shared resources.
- Informative Labeling: NC State Dining emphasizes effective and informative food labeling across its operations to help students make safe choices. All foods are labeled with the top 9 allergens, and complete ingredient information is available online.
- Diverse Dietary Options: Beyond standard allergies, the program explicitly provides for various dietary needs, including vegan, vegetarian and halal dining options. Click here for the Guide to Managing Dietary Restrictions.
- Disability Accommodations: For students who require formal accommodations due to a disability, NC State Dining coordinates with the Disability Resource Office (DRO).
Community and Education
NC State encourages students to stay informed through various wellness activities, nutrition programs, education and resources. We have a registered dietitian who works with Dining for students who may need special assistance and a teaching kitchen in Wellness and Recreation.
Campus Health offers students dietary consultations to address concerns or diagnosed conditions. Appointments can be scheduled online at healthypack.dasa.ncsu.edu/appointments or by calling 919.515.2563.
Frequently Asked Questions-coming soon!
Where can my student eat on campus?
NC State students have a wide range of dining options across multiple campuses. This includes dining halls such as Fountain and Clark, food courts such as the Atrium, and restaurants like Tuffy’s Diner and Los Lobos Kitchen. Visit places to eat for more information.
Where can my student register their allergy restrictions?
Students should register their allergy restrictions with the Disability Resource Office or through their MyPack Portal. This is to determine what, if any, accommodations are needed for housing or other on-campus needs.
How can my student navigate dining with allergies, intolerances or special dietary needs?
The nutrition and wellness team is dedicated to meeting the nutritional needs of all students by providing nutrition resources, education and awareness across campus.
Students should review the resources and become familiar with the labeling system. When in doubt, avoid any ingredient or dish or ask the manager on duty for more information. For additional information, click here.
What dairy-free and/or gluten-free options are there on campus?
NC State cafes offer a variety of dairy-free alternatives such as soy milk, almond milk, coconut milk and oat milk. Talley Market also provides gluten-free Dole® Soft Serve, an alternative to Howling Cow Ice Cream. All markets provide allergen- and gluten-friendly options, including frozen meals, packaged snacks, grab-and-go items, dairy-free options, and various sweet treats.
Each dining hall has a “Worry-Free Station” that includes individually wrapped gluten-free items and a dedicated gluten-free toaster. Gluten-free waffles are available at Fountain and University Towers Dining Halls. All dining halls serve gluten-free granola and cereal options as well as dairy-free milk alternatives. Gluten-free pizza, quesadillas and wraps are also available on our dining hall menus.
What allergy-free options are there for students?
In addition to the “Worry-Free Stations” that are in every dining hall, Fountain and University Towers Dining Halls offer a Simply Made station. The Simply Made stations offer a fully balanced meal without the top nine allergens, served on a clean plate to prevent cross-contact. Allergens are labeled throughout all of our locations, and a chef or manager is always available to help with your specific needs.
How can my student detect specific needs at dining locations?
The presence of certain allergens (dairy, gluten/wheat, eggs, fish and shellfish, peanuts and tree nuts, soy and sesame) in food items being served is indicated on menu boards or cards as well as on the menu website. Allergens appearing as “may contain” or “processed in a facility with” will be listed with a disclaimer only in the ingredients section of the online menus. Dining also offers an online Guide to Managing Dietary Restrictions for reference.
Nutrition and Wellness
- Expert Support: Students have access to a registered dietitian for personalized consultations regarding allergies, dietary restrictions or general wellness.
- Transparent Labeling: The online menus provide clear nutrition data and ingredient information for every meal.
- Comprehensive Training: NC State Dining staff receive in-house allergen training every year. Full-time staff are trained in Allertrain®, an ANAB-accredited, manager-level, gluten-free and food allergy training course.
- Specialized Needs: There are dedicated resources for students with severe food allergies or medical conditions to ensure they can eat safely on campus.
- Healthy Environment: The program emphasizes balanced choices and education to help students develop lifelong healthy eating habits.
For additional details, information and resources visit dining.ncsu.edu.