Diet & Nutrition - Special Diets

Emory University offers a number of menu items suitable for diners with special dietary needs. Wherever possible, we will mark these selections on our menus with the symbols indicated below.

Dairy-Free: For individuals with lactose intolerance stemming from reduced levels or a complete lack of the enzyme lactase. People with severe lactose deficiency cannot eat any dairy products, including milk, cheese, yogurt, ice cream, some margarines and butter.
Vegan: Excludes animal products of any type, including eggs, dairy, and in some cases, honey.
Vegetarian: Excludes meat, poultry and fish.
Kosher: Foods which are considered fit for consumption according to traditional Jewish law. Foods with Diet Plan K satisfy these diet requirements.

Please do not start a special diet before consulting with your doctor or a registered dietitian.

Diet & Nutrition – Fact & Fiction

The lowdown on low fat, low carb diets. We’ve all heard how eating low carb or low fat is good for you. But cutting carbs and counting fat grams isn’t always healthy. Here, we separate the beneficial from the bogus.

Low-carb does not mean no carb. The optimum carbohydrate level is different for everyone and should be adjusted for the individual.
A healthy low-carb diet does not exclude vegetables and fruits. In fact, most of the carbs consumed by someone on a low-carb diet come from fruits and vegetables.
A low-carb diet does not increase a person’s risk for heart disease. Most studies show that a person’s risk for diabetes declines after starting a low-carb diet.
Atkins did not die on his own diet. He died from head injuries resulting from a fall.
Not all fats are created equal. Unsaturated fats consume excess fat and improve cholesterol levels. Saturated and trans fats can adversely affect cholesterol levels.
The body needs dietary fat to ensure the proper function of cells and the nervous system and the absorption of certain vitamins. Fat also gives energy, maintains healthy hair and skin and insulates your body from the cold.
A healthy fat intake is no more than 30 percent of daily calories and no less than 20 percent.

For Your Health

Providing you with healthy options is something your Emory Dining proudly does every day. Emory Dining helps guests on our campuses select delicious, nutritious and satisfying meals, snacks and desserts by highlighting well-balanced menu choices and providing nutritional information and tips to help guests make choices that fit their needs.

An important part of our focus on health and wellness is the use of seasonal menus, featuring fresh and healthy ingredients - many of which are grown by local or regional farmers. Every season has its own unique produce that is showcased in delicious signature dishes to highlight the distinct flavors and natural appeal of seasonal items. Enjoy healthy choices on your campus throughout the year and as part of the promotions and events.

To provide you with healthy choices that have reduced sugar, salt and fats, our chefs and supply team work hard to source the best ingredients for the menus on your campus. One example of how we recently did this is by offering a new turkey burger. The new turkey burger is lower in sodium, fat and calories than the previous option. Learn more about this great new choice: Diners bowled over by healthier turkey burger.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO

What is a balanced choice?

A “balanced” plate means eating from more than one food group. It’s about making 50% of your plate plant-based with fruits and vegetables, 25% with lean protein and another 25% with healthy grains. Look in your campus dining room for the daily “For Your Health” highlighted option or consider building your own plate using your favorites from the many choices available to you.

Looking for more information about creating a balanced plate? Visit Choose My Plate to learn more about the food groups and balancing calories, use interactive wellness tools and more!

Nutrition icons make it easy to identify healthy choices
Look for the folllowing nutrition icons on the foods being served on your campus to help you meet your dietary needs or desires.

Vegetarian Vegan Local Organic Gluten-Free

Well Balanced individual food items identified foods that fit nutrition criteria based on recommendations by major health organizations for reduced calories, sodium, fat and cholesterol.

If you need additional assistance finding the right types of foods for you, please reach out to your Emory Dining manager or chef.

If you have dietary questions, please contact us so we can help! We have registered dieticians ready to answer your questions and help you make healthy choices.

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Diet & Nutrition - Special Diets

Diet & Nutrition – Fact & Fiction

For Your Health

What is a balanced choice?

Nutrition Information