HealthierU Guide 2026

ALTHIER E H A

A COMPLETE GUIDE TO EATING ON CAMPUS WITH ALLERGIES, INTOLERANCES, AND SPECIAL DIETARY NEEDS!

TABLE OF CONTENTS 02 Allergies 101 UM Dining's Best Practices on Handling Food Allergies

04 Meet Alyson

UM Dining's Registered Dietitian

06 Delicious Without

Avoiding Allergens at Centennial Village Dining Hall

07 Avoiding Gluten

Avoiding Gluten at Mahoney-Pearson Dining Hall

08 Get Vegucated

Eating Vegan & Vegetarian on Campus

11

Dining Hall Hacks Tips & Tricks to Master the Dining Halls

13 Resources

How to Navigate our Website, Social Media, & more!

ALLERGIES 101

02

Handling Food Allergies UM Dining aims to provide our students and guests with the support they deserve by accommodating those with food allergies and intolerances. We provide a safe place to eat by following standardized recipes to avoiding cross contact* in all facets of production and service. We do our best to provide safe and balanced options for those with dietary restrictions.

Be aware that we handle and prepare egg, milk, wheat, shellfish, fish, soy, peanut, tree nut, sesame, and other potential allergens in the food production areas in all of our facilities except for Delicious Without. We aim to provide nutritional and ingredient information that is as complete and up-to-date as possible. To view, please visit our Dine on Campus website, www.dineoncampus.com/miami for easy on-the-go access! Products may change without our knowledge and menu items are prepared in close proximity to other ingredients not listed, including allergens. Guests with food allergies or specific dietary restrictions should speak with our Registered Dietitian or manager for individual assistance. *Cross Contact is when a food allergen is transferred from an allergen containing food to a non-allergen containing food.

Avoiding Cross-Contact Every year our staff is trained on proper food handling procedures and allergies to minimize the risk of cross contact. Our associates also complete a Food Allergies and Celiac Disease Training every fall and spring semesters, which meets FARECheck criteria for allergy-aware food handling. The FARE program was developed by Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) who works on behalf of the 32 million Americans with food allergies, including those at risk for life-threatening anaphylaxis.

Our Registered Dietitian, Alyson Marquez, is a certified Master Trainer by AllerTrain!

Know Your Food

Foods that do not contain any animalderived products including honey, dairy, or eggs

Foods that do not contain any animal products except dairy or eggs

Foods that do not include glutencontaining ingredients.

We avoid cross-contact but cannot guarantee they are gluten-free

Foods that contain a high source of protein

Foods that contain ingredients that are climate friendly

ALLERGIES 101

03

Ways We Prevent Cross Contact Implementation of standard procedures for safe product storage in the back of the kitchen.

Enforcement of proper cleaning and sanitation for kitchen equipment and production areas.

Use of standardized recipes.

Utilization of separate utensils and pans for the production and serving of allergy safe foods.

Hand washing and glove changes regularly and upon request.

Student & Guest Responsibilities As a student or guest with special dining needs, you are your best advocate! Below are some key steps to assist you with safe eating on campus!

Speak Up!

Review Menu

Tell a manager that you have a specific food

Menus and ingredients are available on

allergy so we can provide you with a safe

our website,

experience.

dineoncampus.com/miami.

Register

Report

Register with the Office of Disabilities on

Report any dining issues or allergic reactions

campus.

immediately to a UM Dining Manager or

Meet the Team

Dietitian.

Get to know our UM Dining Team to ensure an easier experience navigating the dining halls.

Contact us early and let us know about your allergies! You can complete our UM Dining online form by scanning the QR code or send an email to our campus Registered Dietitian, Alyson, at UMDiningRD@miami.edu.

Our Commitment to YOU! Our UM Dining Team receives annual training

We maintain working relationships with the

on safe food practices for food allergies and

Office of Disabilities, Dining Services,

Celiac Disease.

Residential Life, Student Health Services, and

We share all recipes, food ingredient labels,

UM Campus Emergency Response Team to

and potential risk to cross contact upon

best support guests with food allergies and

request for any and all foods being served.

intolerances.

We have a team of qualified professionals to

Our managers are Emergency Allergy

best assist you with a safe & healthy dining

Treatment certified on Anaphylaxis and

experience. We work on an individual basis

Epinephrine. We have EpiPens located in both

with students with food allergies or

of our dining halls, throughout the food court

intolerances to provide personal support.

and Smoothie King.

MEET ALYSON

04

Meet our Registered Dietitian Alyson Marquez Registered Dietitian & Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist

UMDiningRD@miami.edu Our Registered Dietitian and Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist, Alyson Marquez, has her Bachelor's Degree in Clinical Dietetics and Nutrition and her Master's of Science Degree in Wellness and Human Performance from the University of Pittsburgh. She regularly works with our students to show them how to get the most out of their dining experience. From eating on a plant-based diet to gluten intolerance and weight loss, Alyson is here to show you how to navigate our dining facilities and take advantage of the wide variety of dining options the University of Miami has to offer. The best part is that her services are free to all meal plan holders! Below are some commonly asked questions for new and returning students. Check out her tips here!

I want to be energized for my classes, What should I eat?

Food is Fuel and being mindful of what you eat can directly influence how you feel throughout the day. Here are some steps you can take to improve:

Eat regularly. Skipping meals can lead to sharp rises and drops in blood sugar which can affect your mood and performance.

Make sure to stay well hydrated throughout the day. Feelings of hunger may be a sign of dehydration. Reach for a glass of water and check in with your body to ensure you’re hydrated.

Eat foods with a low glycemic index.

Foods with a low glycemic index have sugars that are absorbed slowly to prevent crashes, providing a steady flow of energy throughout the day.

Avoid relying on coffee for a caffeine boost throughout the day. This makes your body reliant on the caffeine and has adverse affects after the initial spike of energy.

I want to eat healthy. Which items should I select when eating in the dining hall?

Eating healthy is a great way to achieve a balanced lifestyle. There are many menu options within the dining halls that will help you achieve this.

I recommend checking each dining platform and seeing what is available. Piecing together a meal by selecting the fruit, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein that you want provides great variety and balance. Eating healthy doesn't have to happen each time we eat, but choosing to do so about 80 percent of the time will support health goals and outcomes. Incorporating more plant-based foods such as beans, lentils, whole grains, vegetables, fruits and seeds into your diet and at each meal period can dramatically improve one's health. Visit Plant-Based at MahoneyPearson Dining Hall for plant-based meal options available for lunch and dinner daily.

We’ve also incorporated vegetarian meals into our menus at Centennial Village! Check out our website dineoncampus.com/miami for daily menus and look for the vegetarian icon to see what’s available.

MEET ALYSON

05

I have a new fitness routine and my goal is to increase muscle mass. What should I do?

I'm interested in becoming vegetarian or vegan. What nutrition concerns should I consider?

In gaining muscle, many people know that protein is important, but total energy intake in the form of calories lays a great foundation. Without extra energy provided for the exercise program and enough support to increase muscle mass it will be tough to meet one's goal.

Vegetarian and Vegan dining is a great way to improve one’s health and wellness profile. However, not having a balanced vegetarian diet – like any diet – can lead to nutritional deficiencies.

Increase caloric intake by 300-500 extra calories a day. This can be accomplished through additional snacks or servings at meal times.

Include sources of complex carbohydrates (at breakfast, lunch, dinner, pre- and post-training snack) so your body will have the fuel sources for sustaining the exercise program. Reach for a variety of whole grains, fresh fruits, starchy vegetables, milk and yogurt for a great source of carbohydrates.

Some key nutrients of concerns include total energy and protein intake, iron, calcium, zinc, iodine, Vitamin B12, Vitamin D and omega 3 fatty acids.

Vegetarian eating has different subsets based on one’s type and style of vegetarian eating. Therefore, not all vegetarians may be at risk for all of the above nutrients of concern. Learning how to find balance and to eat a variety of plant-based foods is vital to the success of one’s vegetarian diet and overall health. To learn more about vegetarian or vegan diets, check out our website or schedule a meeting with Alyson.

Take protein post-workout (15-25g) within 30-45 minutes and routinely throughout the day (breakfast, lunch, dinner and before bedtime).

Supplements are not needed to reach post-training and total protein intake goals. Foods rich in protein include Greek yogurt, milk, nuts, seeds, cheese, meat, poultry, fish, and beans.

DID YOU KNOW: Select retail locations on campus offer Kosher and HalalCertified meats. The Corner Deli offers Kosher and Halal-certified meat options, Halal Shack offers Halal-Certified meat options, and both dining halls offer HalalCertified chicken breasts and Halal-Certified burger patties at the Grill.

DELICIOUS WITHOUT

06

Delicious Without, located in Centennial Village Dining Hall, is a unique station intended to provide menu options prepared without the top nine allergens (peanuts, tree nuts, fish, crustacean shellfish, eggs, milk, soy, wheat, sesame and gluten) that also houses its own washing and storage stations. The dishes are simply prepared and seasoned, with a focus on single-source ingredients. Food from Delicious Without is served by a trained foodservice associate on a clean and sanitized plate.

DID YOU KNOW: Every Wednesday at lunch in both dining halls we feature a recipe from the Universal Meals Program, created by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. These meals are made without the top nine allergens, gluten and any animal products, making these recipes great options for everyone to enjoy!

Gluten Friendly Brands in the Dining Halls

AVOIDING GLUTEN

07

Avoiding Gluten in the Dining Halls Our staff is trained yearly by our Registered Dietitian and Safety Manager on proper food handling protocols to minimize the risk of cross-contamination. Our staff is trained to change gloves for the handling and serving of avoiding gluten meals when requested by the guest. Additionally, we have separate utensils for preparing and serving avoiding gluten meals when requested by the guest. The Avoiding Gluten selfserve station, located in Mahoney-Pearson Dining Hall, contains a separate toaster and waffle maker to be used with avoiding gluten breads and waffle mix only. It also contains individually packaged condiments to limit cross contamination as well as a refrigerator of avoiding gluten pre-packaged products such as bagels, muffins, etc.

Everyday Options Pizza Crust Avoiding gluten pizza crust is available every day upon request. The avoiding gluten pizza crust is cooked on a designated pizza pan within the general pizza oven.

Soup There is at least one avoiding gluten soup available daily in each dining hall. All of our soup stocks are avoiding gluten; our soup is thickened with cornstarch.

Cereal and Oats Avoiding gluten oats, cereal, and housemade granola are available every day in both dining halls.

Bakery Our bakery will always offer at least one avoiding gluten item daily such as cookies.

Waffle Maker We have a separate toaster and waffle maker at both dining halls to be used with avoiding gluten breads and waffle mix only.

Pasta Avoiding gluten pasta is available upon request on days we are serving pasta. It is cooked in a separate pot on a shared stovetop.

Bread We have various types of breads at both dining halls, including gluten free wraps. We also have avoiding gluten corn tortillas as an option at our taco bars.

Grill Both dining halls have avoiding gluten buns, available upon request.

Gluten Friendly Brands in the Dining Halls

GET VEGUCATED

08

Eating Vegan or Vegetarian in the Dining Halls Breakfast

Main Entree & Sides

Deli

We have 8 varieties of cereal available daily as well as whole milk, 2% milk, chocolate milk, oat milk and rice milk. You will also find a selection of breads for toast, muffins, bagels, and waffle. A parfait bar is available with two varieties of yogurt and a full selection of toppings and fruits.

Additionally, we serve tofu scramble daily alongside home fries, tater tots, eggs and much more!

Plant Based is our fully vegetarian station in Mahoney-Pearson Dining Hall. Plant Based serves complete meals using vegetable-based proteins and legumes, rice, and more. Our Taste of Home station at Centennial Village Dining Hall will offer daily vegan entrees with rotating sides. Full meals are offered at these stations, so they are onestop-shops for your main entrée and side!

The deli is open for lunch and dinner daily and offers a completely customizable way to build a sandwich or wrap meaning it is 100% vegan and vegetarian friendly!

Scan the QR code at the station to place your order. The following vegan options are available daily:

Grill

Pizza

Soup & Salad

Our grill station offers a variety of vegan and vegetarian options such as Vegan Burgers, Chickenless Nuggets, Fishless Filets, and more! Plus, most items only take about 6-9 minutes to prepare and are made-to-order.

Pro-Tip: All of our French fry varieties are vegan!

At least one vegetarian pizza option is available daily at our pizza station!

Vegan pizzas and gluten free crusts are available upon request. We also have rotating options of calzones and pasta dishes available at this station as well, so make sure to stop by and check out what is available that day.

We offer a vegan or vegetarian soup option daily.

Our salad bar is always full with a variety of fruits, vegetables, and meatless protein options. Offerings change daily based on seasonality and availability.

We keep a rotating selection of hard boiled eggs, tofu, beans, legumes, and other plant-based protein options.

Our dressing options are listed below:

Roasted Vegetables, Tomatoes, Hummus, Vegan Falafel, Bell Peppers, Lettuce, Onions, Pickles, Jalapeños, Black Olives, and Avocado Spread

Vegan: Canola Oil, Olive Oil, Balsamic Vinegar, Red Wine Vinegar, Shallot Mustard Vinaigrette, Housemade Herb Vinaigrette Vegetarian: Creamy Ranch, Basil Pesto, Creamy Chive, Fat Free Italian, Blue Cheese, Housemade Citrus Vinaigrette Did you know our famous vegan cookies are available daily in the dining halls? Make sure to try both the sugar and chocolate chip varieties!

GET VEGUCATED

Cucina Fresca has a variety of pizzas, salads, paninis, and pastas for our vegetarian students to enjoy! Cucina Fresca features a vegan cheese pizza, too! Check out our limited-time offers for new and exciting items to try every month!

Market NXT & the Market carry a variety of vegan and vegetarian items. Looking for a quick vegan snack?

Grab a bag of Harvest Snaps baked green peas, Lesser Evil popcorn, Rhythm beet chips or carrot sticks, or Del Monte red grapefruit cups!

Don’t forget to grab your favorite beverage on your way out!

09

Halal Shack offers a SoCal Taco Co. has variety of plant-based many options for options. Build your vegan and vegetarian own bowl with any of customers, utilizing a our vegetarian build-your-own style proteins including menu so you can falafel, chickpea customize your meal korma or crispy however you'd like! cauliflower! Try out They also offer a large their salad or zoodles variety of gluten free for a plant-based entrées and desserts, options. We just ask a team recommend the member for a green chutney and delicious tahini sauce for extra recommendation! flavor!

Panda Express' easily The Corner Deli, Every smoothie found at customizable bowls located in the the Smoothie King is and plates make Shalala Student gluten-free and meatless eating easy. Center, not only has vegetarian. Some Eggplant tofu, some great vegan smoothies are made steamed vegetables, and vegetarian with yogurt, so be sure and brown rice is our options but is also to look at the favorite combo! Add Glatt Kosher, ingredients when some veggie spring supervised by Rabbi ordering if you're vegan. rolls for an extra treat! Fellig. Make sure and Sunwarrior Protein is try the Falafel bowl, 100% vegan, and you it's a student can substitute milk in a favorite! number of other smoothies to make them dairy-free. They also offer Keto-friendly options.

Fuku has a couple of options such as their little gem wedge salad, spicy cucumber salad, potato salad, and their spicy slaw that can be modified for your dietary needs.

GET VEGUCATED

10

Sushi Maki is great for pescatarians, but don't be fooled - the native Miami sushi chain also has a number of vegan rolls: The Vegetable Summer Roll, Vegetable Dragon Roll, and Classic Vegetable.

Additionally, they offer a delicious Hiyaski Wake (Seaweed Salad) and Edamame.

Grab a Veggie Despite having Delight or craft "Chicken" in its name, your own vegan or Pollo Tropical is vegetarian surprisingly vegetariansandwich at friendly. Build your own Subway. Pile your TropiChop without sandwich high meat or try our with vegetables Impossible! vegan beef and add any of picadillo! Choose from a their veganvariety of vegetarian friendly sauces sides - like the fried yellow or deli yuca or sweet plantains, or vegan sides - like the mustard, vinegar, french fries. All veggies, sweet onion sauce, Italian dressing, or with the exception of buffalo sauce. kernel corn, are also vegan!

Our Dining Halls are built for you!

Customize your meals to fit your dietary needs at any of our stations.

If you are unsure about something ask our staff about the dish and they will be able to guide you through your best options.

Starbucks has a number of sandwiches, protein packs, salads, and pastries available that are meat and/or dairy free.

We also have oat, coconut, soy and almond milk available for alternative milk options.

Elia at Sebastian's Cafe at Newman Alumni has a variety of vegan/vegetarian options from smoothies to salads, bowls and more! Try their build-your-own açaí bowls and healthy bowls and customize them how you'd like! Elia also serves a delicious Beyond Burger that is sure to satisfy your hunger.

Archivist Cafe serves Peet's Coffee and offers a variety of plant-based milks, including oat and almond! We also offer Duran Bakehouse vegan sandwiches and quiches, and Sprig & Sprout grab-andgo items!

A popular local Miami concept, Vicky Café offers a variety of vegetarian pastries.

Pair one with their famous Cuban coffee and you're guaranteed a tasty breakfast that will keep you energized all morning!

DID YOU KNOW: UM Dining's Resident District Manager, Michael Ross, is an advisor on the Plant-Based 'Canes which is a student group on campus that provides a sense of community for vegans and vegetarians.

Michael Ross sends out a weekly email highlighting Vegan & Vegetarian options being served in the dining halls! Interested in signing up? Send us an email to: umdining@miami.edu

DINING HALL HACKS

11

Dining Hall Hacks with UM Dining Student Ambassadors Looking to make your own DIY creations in the dining halls? Try these Dining Hall Hacks created by our UM Dining Student Ambassadors! DIY customizations are a fantastic way to prevent menu fatigue and help students learn more about their own dining preferences! All of these dining hall hacks can be found on our social media platforms!

DIY Waffles Start by making your waffle by pouring your waffle batter in one of our waffle makers. Next, choose your toppings! You can use toppings, like whipped cream and syrup, or pick toppings from other stations. Some of our favorite toppings are fruit and ice cream for a sweet waffle, or grab some chicken to make your own Chicken and waffles!

DID YOU KNOW? Our dining halls offer avoiding-gluten dining options like waffles, as well as dairy free options like our Oatly Ice Cream dispenser!

Fruit Parfait Head to the salad bar to assemble your fruit parfait! Grab your favorite yogurt and toppings and start creating! We recommend greek yogurt, granola, strawberries and blueberries! Want to spice it up?! Add a touch of honey or your favorite cereal!

Bagel Sandwiches Grab your favorite type of bagel, toast it to your liking, and then head over to the omelet station to order your egg. Walk over to the salad bar and pick your favorite greens and other veggies. Finally, assemble your sandwich and enjoy!

All hacks can be created at both Centennial Village and Mahoney-Pearson Dining Halls!

DINING HALL HACKS

12

Tuna Salad Lettuce Wrap You can find tuna salad at the Deli station in either dining hall. Simply ask an associate for a scoop, as well as a few pieces of lettuce. Season with salt and pepper and top with your favorites such as tomatoes, avocado, hard boiled eggs, etc. Finally, close the lettuce leaf and enjoy! Note: this can also be a very yummy bowl or salad combo!

Burrito Bowl You can make an awesome burrito bowl any night in the dining halls. Start by mixing any base, like rice or pasta, with your choice of protein such as tofu, garbanzo beans, or cut-up grilled chicken. Then add your toppings: lettuce, tomatoes, beans, and shredded cheese which all can be found at the salad bar!

Sunflower Butter Apple Slices Quick and easy snacks are our favorite! Grab some apples and cut them into slices. Then, grab the peanut butter alternative Sunflower butter from the Avoiding Gluten or Delicious Without station. And just like that, you have a great healthy snack! .

Avocado Toast Grab some avocado spread from the deli and toast your bread of choice. Use a knife to spread the avocado onto the toast. Season with salt and pepper and drizzle olive oil on top. Note: to add a bit more protein to the mix, add a hard boiled egg! Slice in half and place on top.

DID YOU KNOW? Both of our dining halls are peanut and tree nut free! We use a peanut butter alternative, which is available at all times in the dining halls.

RESOURCES

13

Dine on Campus Our Dine on Campus website, www.dineoncampus.com/miami, has all the information you need! Find menus, meal plans, dining hours, event information, and more all in one place. Here are a few features we would like to highlight to make it easier for you to find the information you are looking for.

What's on the Menu?

The majority of our location menus are listed right on our website! See menus and full nutritional information in this tab.

Did you know that you can use this filtering tool under "What's on the Menu" tab to find vegan and vegetarian options in the dining hall? It tells you exactly what items are vegan, vegetarian, and avoiding gluten friendly.

Scan here to view our menus!

Hours of Operation This is where you can find the dining service hours for all of our locations on campus.

These hours can also be found on the doors of each location.

You can also see what's open at any given time right on the home page!

Scan here to view our Hours of Operation!

RESOURCES

14

Dine on Campus The Wellness & Sustainability section is where you can find all of the information included in this guide as well as a section strictly about all of UM Dining's sustainability initiatives on campus. Did you know that UM Dining donates leftover food to the Miami Rescue Mission or that we source our vegetables locally from a vendor called Fresh Point? Learn more about these and other initiatives under the "Sustainability tab".

Allergies or Intolerances?

For students who have intolerances or specific dietary restrictions, we encourage you to fill out the "Allergies or Intolerances?" survey. Our Registered Dietitian, Alyson Marquez, will contact you to provide tailored advice to navigating campus dining with your specific dietary needs. She is also available to meet one-on-one or answer any questions you may have.

Scan here to visit our website!

WWW.DINEONCAMPUS.COM/MIAMI

@UMDINING