Nutrition

Campus Dining & Shops understands the importance of nutritionally balanced meals in the lives of busy college students. We are proud to serve a variety of menu options to meet your everyday food cravings, lifestyle and dietary needs. A wide selection of healthy options are available daily, including gluten free, vegan and vegetarian offerings, along with local and international cuisine. We believe that nutrition is the foundation of a healthy lifestyle and encourage students to utilize the tools and resources available to find a balance in their food choices at UB.

Net Nutrition »

Meet the Dietitian

Our Registered Dietitian, Lori Bendersky

Lori Bendersky is a Registered Dietitian certified in New York State. She holds a Bachelor's in Dietetics from Michigan State University and earned her Master's in Clinical Nutrition from University at Buffalo.

As the Dietitian with Campus Dining, Lori reviews menus to help ensure students have access to healthy and nutritious foods on campus. She is available to provide the following:

Nutrition, ingredient and allergen information for foods served across campus.
Assist with dietary accommodations (i.e. food allergies, intolerances, sensitivities, religious, or medical restrictions).
Help navigate campus menus on NetNutrition to identify options that fit a variety of dietary preferences (e.g. vegan, vegetarian).
Nutrition education and guidance on healthy eating to meet your personal health goals.

If you need special dietary accommodations or have questions relating to nutrition and wellness, please contact our Registered Dietition or call (716) 645-6445.

Nutrition Icons

Menu options on campus are marked with the following nutrition icons:

Vegetarian: Vegetarian options are available daily and contain no meat, poultry, fish, or shellfish; but eggs and dairy are included. Some cheeses may not be considered vegetarian due to the use of animal rennet. Items containing gelatin are considered non-vegetarian.

Vegan: Vegan options are available daily and contain no obvious sources of animal products or by-products, including honey.

Gluten Free: Certified gluten free products are available upon request including: bread, pasta, bagels, muffins, hamburger buns, rolls, and cookies. Many of our recipes are made without gluten ingredients, please check nutrition signage and ask a manager before making selections. Please see the Gluten Free section below for more information.

Free From: Items are Certified Free From^™ wheat, gluten, peanuts, tree nuts, fish and shellfish.

halal Halal: Options do not contain pork, alcohol, or meat that is not Halal certified. Halal proteins are available at Bravo Pasta, Mexican stations, One World Café, select Grab-n-Go meals, and in the Dining Centers.

Kosher: A selection of kosher meals are available at Capen Café, One World Café, and Union Marketplace that includes a rotation of fresh salads, sandwiches, wraps and prepared sides produced under the supervision of the Va'ad Hakashrus of Buffalo.

A-Plus Smart Choice: Items marked A+ fit certain nutritional criteria and have one of the following nutritional redeeming qualities:

Contains a serving of fruit or vegetable
Is an excellent source of whole grains and fiber
Low in sodium: 600mg per entrée, 400mg per side and 200mg per snack
Fits into many diets including gluten free, vegan, vegetarian, halal and kosher
≥10% daily value for one or more nutrients: Calcium, Iron, Potassium and Vitamin D

Gluten Free

Campus Dining & Shops (CDS) is committed to serving those with Celiac Disease or gluten sensitivities. We take special diets and food allergies seriously. Students are strongly encouraged to contact our Registered Dietitian for guidance. She works one-on-one with students to find meal options that fits their dietary needs.

Gluten free options are available in our dining centers, retail operations, vending machines, convenience stores, and grab-n-go packaged meals. While we label foods that contain gluten, students must notify a manager before ordering to ensure their meal is prepared safely. Please keep in mind that recipes are not prepared in a gluten free facility. We use dedicated cookware, utensils, and equipment in addition to good cleaning and sanitizing practice to prevent cross-contact in the kitchen.

Menus

Menus across campus offer a mix of naturally gluten free items and certified gluten free products. Healthy options are available daily in the dining centers, including; steamed vegetables, grilled chicken, fresh fruit, brown rice, and a salad bar. In our retail operations, meals are customizable. Students can select ingredients to meet their specific dietary needs or personal preferences. We encourage students to look ahead at the menu on NetNutrition and read ingredient information before arriving in any dining location.

Gluten free sliced bread, bagels, sub rolls, hamburger rolls, cookies, and muffins (Dining Centers and Retail Operations)
Gluten free pasta (Bravo Pasta and the Dining Centers)
Gluten free pizza (Dining Centers)
Gluten free waffles (Dining Centers)
Salad dressings (Dining Centers and Retail Operations)
Gluten free soy sauce (Champa Sushi)
Veggie burgers (Dining Centers and Retail Operations)
Gluten free snacks (Vending Machines and Convenience Stores)
Gluten free cereal (Dining Centers and Retail Operations)
Gluten free oatmeal (Retail Operations)

Gluten free options are made upon request in the dining centers. Students are encouraged to contact the management team ahead of time to reduce wait times. Please contact the CDS Registered Dietitian for more information.

Gluten Free Labeling

Packaged and self-serve items in the dining centers are labeled if they contain gluten. Detailed ingredient and allergen information is available at NetNutrition or by scanning the nutrition QR code. Fried foods will have “cross-contact may occur in fryer” listed on the nutrition label and should be avoided.

Mobile Ordering/Self-Order Kiosks

Many of our retail locations offer mobile ordering through the GET app or have self-order kiosks. Gluten free bread options are available for breakfast combos, sandwiches, subs and hamburgers. Gluten free pasta is available daily at Bravo Pasta. Students are strongly encouraged to use the “Specify Allergens” section within the app or self-order kiosk to communicate their dietary needs to the management staff.
Students who are strictly avoiding gluten (e.g. Celiac Disease) must add wheat/gluten allergy to their cart, in addition to selecting a gluten free bread option.
Other dietary requests should be written in the order notes. Please keep in mind, if no allergen(s) or special request is specified on the ticket, management is not alerted to prepare the meal separately from other orders.

Food Allergies & Intolerances

Campus Dining & Shops (CDS) is committed to serving those with food allergies or intolerances. We take special diets and food allergies seriously. Students are strongly encouraged to contact our Registered Dietitian for guidance. She works one-on-one with students to develop an individualized plan that meets their specific dietary needs.

Nutrition assessment and counseling for food allergies and other dietary concerns is available with Janice Cochran, MS, RD at Health Promotion. For an appointment, call (716) 645-2837 x 0 or visit Health Promotion. For other accommodations related to a food allergy or sensitivity, call Accessibility Resources at (716) 645-2608, or visit the Accessibility Resources site for more information.

Allergen Labeling

Packaged and self-serve items in the dining centers are labeled if they contain any of the top 9 allergens or gluten. Detailed ingredient and allergen information is available at NetNutrition or by scanning the nutrition QR code. Fried foods will have “cross-contact may occur in fryer” listed on the nutrition label to alert you of any potential allergens.

Menus

Healthy options are available daily in the dining centers, including; steamed vegetables, grilled chicken, fresh fruit, brown rice, and a salad bar. In our retail operations, meals are customizable. Students can select ingredients to meet their specific dietary needs or personal preferences. While we label foods with the most common allergens, students must notify a manager before ordering to ensure their meal is prepared safely. Please keep in mind that recipes are not prepared in an allergen-free facility. We use dedicated cookware, utensils, and equipment in addition to good cleaning and sanitizing practice to prevent cross-contact in the kitchen. Students are encouraged to look ahead at the menu on NetNutrition and read allergen information before arriving in any dining location. Questions about ingredients or food preparation should be directed to a manager or the CDS Registered Dietitian.

Customized Meals in the Dining Centers

Menu options in the dining centers can be modified or individually prepared to meet specific dietary restrictions. Students are encouraged to contact the management team ahead of time to reduce wait times. Please contact the CDS Registered Dietitian for more information.

Mobile Ordering/Self-Order Kiosks

Many of our retail locations offer mobile ordering through the GET app or have self-order kiosks. Students are strongly encouraged to use the “Specify Allergens” section within the app or self-order kiosk to communicate their dietary needs to the management staff.
Students must add the allergen(s) they need to avoid to their cart before placing their order. Other dietary requests should be written in the order notes.
Please keep in mind, if no allergen(s) or special request is specified on the ticket, management is not alerted to prepare the meal separately from other orders.

Emergency Plan

The CDS Registered Dietitian can work with students on an emergency plan if needed. Epinephrine auto-injector devices are not available in the dining centers; therefore, we strongly advise students to carry their epinephrine device with them at all times. Managers are trained to recognize the common signs and symptoms of a food allergic reaction and to call for medical assistance immediately.

Simple Kitchen

Simple Kitchen. Gluten Free, Allergen Mindful
Simple Kitchen is an access-controlled pantry for students with food allergy concerns and dietary needs located in Governors Dining Center. The pantry is free from foods containing wheat, gluten, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish.
This space reduces the risk of cross-contact by having dedicated equipment and verified ingredients. Students can safely prepare meals with ease in this home-like kitchen. For more information or access, please contact the CDS Registered Dietitian at dietitian@buffalo.edu.

Training

Allergen & Gluten Free Food Service Training: Our management team has completed the AllerTrainU certification course. This training covers essential information on how to serve students with special dietary needs such as food allergies, intolerances, sensitivities, and Celiac Disease in a university food service setting.

Disclaimers

Food Allergy Disclaimer

University at Buffalo Campus Dining & Shops treats food allergies and celiac disease seriously. Please be advised that menu options may contain gluten and other major allergens (soy, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, eggs, milk, fish, sesame and shellfish). Every effort is made to identify ingredients that may cause an allergic reaction but manufacturers of commercial foods we use could change their formulation at any time, without notice. We also operate our own bakery and packaged food facility, which produces goods that contain nuts. We cannot guarantee the absence of cross‐contamination in our baked and packaged foods.

Food service employees are trained on the severity of food allergies and safe handling procedures to minimize cross-contact; however, there is always a risk due to the self-serve nature of our dining facilities and shared kitchens. Customers concerned with food allergies need to be aware of these risks.

UB Campus Dining services will not assume any liability for adverse reactions to foods consumed or come into contact with while eating at any University establishment. Anyone who may need to use an EpiPen^® or other medication should be sure to carry that with them at all times. University at Buffalo Campus Dining and Shops does not provide, or have training in the use of, EpiPen^®s or other medications.

Food allergy concerns should be directed to the Campus Dining & Shops' dietitian or unit manager.

Nutritional Information Disclaimer

All nutritional information is based on recipes. Any additions or substitution of ingredients or condiments may alter nutritional values. Although this data is based on standard portion product guidelines, variation can be expected due to seasonal influences, minor differences in product assembly per location and other factors. The University at Buffalo Campus Dining & Shops attempts to provide nutrition and ingredient information regarding its products that is as complete as possible, however errors in labeling could occur due to menu changes or substitutions.

Eating Healthy

Eating healthy can sometimes be challenging. Use the USDA's MyPlate as a reminder to choose all food groups at most meals in reasonable portions. You can build a healthy plate at UB!

Check out choosemyplate.gov for general information, nutrition and fitness tips, and personalized goals by downloading the MyPlate app.

Healthy eating resources:
The Vegetarian Resource Group Choose My Plate

Made In/Grown In New York

Campus Dining & Shops, in our effort to support sustainable living practices on campus, has become a member of the Made In/Grown In New York program. The program, developed and administered by New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets, was created to promote and support the sale of agricultural products grown and food products processed within New York State. Campus Dining & Shops has increasingly been purchasing both ingredients and foods from local producers. Currently, 20 percent of the campus dining services purchases are local. The logo and signs are displayed in locations where local food and beverage products are sold. The program’s growing membership now includes farmers and processors, retailers, distributors, restaurants and related culinary and support associations all working together to bring consumers wholesome, quality New York State products.