Food Allergy-Friendly Colleges Archives

Allergy-Friendly University of California: Berkeley Campus Guide

Overall I would say my allergies at the UC Berkeley dining halls were pretty manageable. As they say on the website, the Big-8 allergens are listed on the menu signage in units and the online menu. If you have severe allergies, I would always ask, just to be safe. In terms of restaurants in the area, I would check those specific reviews on Spokin! For the most part, I have had a pretty safe experience, but if there’s a dish that I am suspicious might have something I am allergic to, I will double check on that dish specifically.

Location: Berkeley, California

Campus Guide: University of Central Arkansas

See Emily's top allergy-friendly picks around the University of Arkansas campus! Location: Conway, Arkansas

Campus Guide: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

See Ethan's top allergy-friendly picks around the University of Illinois campus!

Campus Guide: University of Maryland

The University of Maryland's staff is amazing when it comes to food allergies. As a big university, their exposure to-food allergic kids has only increased their awareness of the issue and their ability to accommodate it. They cater so well to my allergies and have a program in which I can talk directly to chefs so they can know what I am allowed to have. At the beginning of every week, I email all of the top chefs on campus saying what meals I want, at which dining hall I want the meals, and at what time I want the meals. The chefs all have a list of my food allergies, and they have been great at accommodating me!

Allergy-Friendly University of Miami Campus Guide

I just committed to the University of Miami and could not be more excited! I am just starting the process of dorms and food. I was super nervous about being able to eat at college with egg and nut allergies. Therefore, I reached out to the dining service to see if we could discuss my allergies. We have already planned to meet the first day of school and they made me feel so safe on the phone saying she will point everything out to me every day of what I can eat and what I can’t. There are even vegan and gluten-free options for people who want a healthier diet!

Location: Coral Gables, Florida

Allergy-Friendly Campus Guide: University of Nebraska Omaha

University of Nebraska at Omaha doesn’t have the most allergy-friendly on campus dining options. One great thing about UNO is that all of the dorms are apartment style and have a FULL kitchen! It was so easy to go grocery shopping and cook for myself. Location: Omaha, Nebraska

Allergy-Friendly Campus Guide: University of Toronto

I recently graduated from the University of Toronto in June 2020. In my first year, I had to live on campus and struggled so much with my allergies. The dining hall that I was assigned to (Morrison Hall at University College in University of Toronto) had very limited dairy-free options. I was basically on my own for food for my entire time at University of Toronto. Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Allergy-Friendly Campus Guide: Vanderbilt University

All of the Vanderbilt dining halls are completely nut-free. There are a few cafès on campus that do have nuts, but they are very aware of allergies. If you have a limited option of foods, Vanderbilt provides a service on their dining app in which you can order almost any food ahead of time and have it ready for you when you arrive in the dining hall. They make the food especially for you to fit your needs. Location: Nashville, Tennessee

Allergy-Friendly Campus Guide: Washington University in St. Louis

Washington University has been so great with food allergies! Every item (entrees, sides, pastries, etc) is labeled with the major allergens and the DUC and the village both have an allergen kitchen where food is prepared safely. You can preorder this allergen free food from back kitchen and the staff is very helpful. No open tree nuts are allowed and prepackaged food with nuts always have a sticker on them. Another super helpful thing is the new Top 8 Friendly stations at every dining hall that serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner that are all free of the top 8 allergens. The food marts at the village and Paws&Go both have so many snacks from verified brands such as Enjoy Life and 88 Acres that any student can purchase. The nutritionist who helps students with food allergies, Rebecca Miller, guided me through how to navigate WashU’s dining system and gave me tips on how to manage my food allergies at college. Location: St. Louis, Missouri

Allergy-Friendly Campus Guide: Washington University

I was in contact with the registered dietitians (Rebecca and Susan) at Washington University before coming to campus, and they were really helpful. On my move-in day, I attended a couple of food allergy sessions, toured the kitchen, and met the executive chef. I learned that the chefs are FARE-trained, and they seem to be really aware of allergies. There is a top-8 free station (will become top-9 free next year). There are separate areas for preparation, and everything is clearly marked. Overall, my dining experience at WashU has been really good, and the dietitians are very interested in my well-being and safety, which I appreciate! Location: St. Louis, Missouri

TikTok Series: Day in the Life on Campus!

The hottest + most fun way to research a college doesn’t require any travel beyond picking up your phone! TikTok is more than puppy videos and the latest viral recipe trends—it’s also one of the best resources for exploring college campuses. Day in the Life TikToks shared by college students let you see campus life through their eyes. To get an inside look at college with food allergies and celiac, we teamed up with 20 students who will be sharing their Day in the Life on Campus. Follow our TikTok, where we’ll be reposting their videos starting Tuesday, 4/18.