Dining Services Logo

Food Allergies and Special Dietary Needs

Northern Michigan University Dining Services is thrilled to announce the launch of an extended gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian menu.

We are happy to work with you in accommodating your special diet. We have trained our dining staff and student employees to be aware of food allergies and how to handle situations involving students with food allergies. Feel free to discuss ingredient information with any of our dining services staff, our Executive Chef, Nathan Mileski, CEC, or our registered dietitian, Robin Rahoi, RD, MPA. You can also utilize our newest program, MyMenu, to find out what menu selections are for each day of the week.

For our guests with special diets, (i.e. vegan, vegetarian or gluten-free) we provide a separate refrigerator stocked with foods such as gluten-free breads, cereals, tortillas, desserts, various snack foods, dressings and sauces. We also stock vegan soy milk, cheeses, spreads and desserts. Please contact our registered dietitian, Robin Rahoi, RD, MPA at rrahoi@nmu.edu if you would like additional diet information.

Although NMU Dining has done their best to provide accurate information, we ask diners with food allergies to be responsible about their diets. If you have a life threatening allergy we recommend that you wear a medic alert bracelet and share this information with the Dining Services Staff, your Resident Advisor, and medical professionals. It may also be prudent to alert your roommate and friends, so they will be able to assist you in the case of a reaction.

NMU Dining has identified soy, wheat, milk, eggs, MSG, tree nuts, peanuts, sunflower, shellfish, fish, and sesame in our products. Although NMU Dining has done their best to provide accurate information with regard to allergens in our foods, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information presented on MyMenu.

Vegan/Vegetarian

Vegan and Vegetarian Options and Information

This healthy eating guide has been developed to help persons excluding animal products from their diet. Its aim is to guide food selection that meets the recommended daily intake as determined by the American Dietetics Association. Use of fortified foods or supplementation can be helpful in meeting recommendations. For any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact our Dietitian by email at dining@nmu.edu or the Dining Services Student Nutritional Assistant by phone at 227-2588.

Plant Based Diet: Healthy Eating Guide


 
Protein (g)
Fiber (g)
Water (oz)
Iron (mg)
Calcium (mg)
Vit. D (ug)
Vit. B12 (ug)
Zinc (mg)
Men
60-70*
38
64
10
1000
5
2.4
15
Women
50-60*
30
64
15
1000
5
2.4
15

(based on a 2000 calorie daily intake) *Daily protein requirement: .8g protein per kg body weight


Supplementation


  • B12 supplementation is essential for persons omitting all animal products from diet.
  • Calcium supplementation recommended for women if requirements are not being met through daily food choices.
  • Multivitamin with iron recommended for persons unable to achieve nutritional balance through diet.
  • Vitamin C found in fruits & vegetables can enhance iron absorption.
  • Vitamin D supplementation recommended when sun exposure or intake of fortified foods is insufficient.

A Good Source Of...


Calcium Protein
Dry Beans
Fortified soy products
Tofu
Almonds + Almond butter
Dark leafy greens (like Spinach/Broccoli)
Fortified orange juice
Yogurt
Milk
Tofu
Dry beans
Milk
Eggs
Grains
Nuts
Iron Zinc
Fortified breads/grains
Tomato juice
Dry beans
Tofu
Seeds, nuts
Dried fruits
Bran flakes
Wheat germ
Dry beans
Tofu
Pumpkin Seeds
Textured vegetable protein
Vitamin D Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Fortified cow's milk
Eggs
Fortified cereals/grains
Sunlight exposure (without block)
*5 to 15 minutes per day on face & hands
Flax seed
Walnuts
Canola Oil
Tofu
Vitamin B12 Riboflavin
Fortified cereal
Fortified soy milk
Nutritional yeast
Milk
Asparagus
Bananas
Milk products