Food Allergies and Medical Needs
Food Allergies and Medical Needs
We are here to help!
University of Denver Dining locations are equipped and dedicated to accommodating customers who have food allergies, intolerances, and medical need. Our managers communicate daily with customers to provide safe, healthy, and delicious options. Your campus dining experience should be enjoyable and Sodexo takes pride in creating site-specific options where customers with medical dietary needs can safely choose and enjoy their meals. We want to meet one-on-one with anyone who has individual dining needs to ensure that your dining experience is safe, delicious, and social.
Pure & Simple
Pure & Simple is our allergen-safe dining option for our customers with food allergies, gluten intolerance, or those who prefer plain and simple foods. The Pure & Simple station offers food free from the top 3 allergens: Nuts (tree nuts, peanuts), dairy, and wheat.
All foods served at this station are prepared with ingredients that do not contain milk, wheat, gluten, peanuts or tree nuts. This station uses separate equipment/utensils, preparation and storage areas to MINIMIZE the potential of allergens or gluten in our Pure and Simple foods. 75% of Pure & Simple items also meet our Mindful criteria, which makes it an easy and healthy choice for customers who are focused on ingredients and portion size to control weight, and other health issues.
While the Pure & Simple station is designed to allow customers an easy way to avoid allergens and gluten, we encourage our customers with special dietary needs to connect with our chef, registered dietitian, and general manager to ensure an enjoyable dining experience.
Simple Zone
Simple Zone is our self-serve "pantry" where students with food allergies, food intolerances, or medical conditions like Celiac Disease can select items free of gluten, nuts, peanuts, & dairy to augment their breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Simple Zone provides gluten-free, nut-free, and dairy-free versions of condiments, cereals, bread, bagels, pastries, & milk. Dedicated Simple Zone appliances like a toaster and microwave reduce cross-contact risk during food preparation. Individuals with a food allergy, medical condition, or food intolerance must meet with our dietitian before using the Simple Zone.
Crimson Meal Kit
Our Crimson Meal Kit is a service that complements your meal options in the Community Commons and provides more flexibility with your meal plan. This service is available for individuals with a medical dietary need
We offer four different menu options that change out weekly. Out of these options, we do provide a plant-based alternative. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact us.
If you have an Allergy, Intolerance or Medical Need
For students with medical conditions that impact their ability to dine well on campus, we strongly encourage a conversation with our Registered Dietitian, Executive Chefs, and/or our General Manager. In many instances, our dining team can easily assist with dietary medical needs.
Occasionally, Dining Services cannot meet a student’s medical needs within normal service. We may require additional medical documentation to enable us to develop a more specific meal plan accommodation. In this situation, we ask that the student contact the Office of Disability Services Program. Together, our departments work to serve our students with medical needs related to dining on campus. For more information about accommodations please visit theUniversity of Denver Office of Disability Services Program Homepage
Meet the Dietitian
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Gina Vega, RDN is our District Registered Dietitian providing nutrition education and support throughout Colorado. As an avid nutrition enthusiast, Gina is excited to meet with students with dietary restrictions and allergies and meet with students hoping to create lifelong healthy habits. Gina has a passion for creating a positive health culture. Food choices and eating habits increase mental and physical health, personal and academic growth, community, and a joyful college experience. Her food philosophy is a non-diet, “all foods fit” approach to nutrition and health, and she enjoys teaching students about Intuitive Eating and debunking nutrition myths and fads.
- Food Allergy Management
- Dining Hall Tours
- Nutrition and Wellness Presentations and Programming
- Education and Nutritional Guidance for College Students
Do you have a nutrition or wellness related question?
Don’t hesitate to get in touch with Gina at gina.vega@sodexo.com
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