Special Dietary Needs

Nutrition, Allergens and Dietary Restrictions

Welcome to the Dining Services Nutrition, Allergens and Dietary Restrictions information page!  We are excited to introduce NetNutrition® to assist you with nutritional data.  NetNutrition® is a program designed to:

  • View daily menus
  • Identify and select well-balanced meals
  • View the nutritional content and ingredients of your selections
  • Filter out foods containing allergens and/or intolerances

Food Allergy Notice
Foods that do not have the "Wheat" label have been prepared with gluten-free ingredients.  Please be advised that our restaurants are not gluten-free facilities.  Products may contain trace amounts of gluten. You are always welcome to stop by the Dining Services Office or email us with any nutritional concerns.  Questions? Please email diningservices@wlu.edu.  

How to Use NetNutrition® to Manage Your Food Allergy:

  • Find food allergens/intolerances listed on the right side of the page
  • Check the box next to the food allergens/intolerances you wish to avoid
  • Items containing these checked boxes will be deleted from your menu choices

  How to Use NetNutrition® Preferences:

  • Select your desired preference
  • Only foods that meet your selected preference will appear in the menu

  How to Use NetNutrition® in Meal Planning:

  • Select the date and menu
  • Click on the box next to the food items you wish to eat, along with the number of portions
  • As you add items to your meal, they will appear in the upper right-hand portion of the page under "My Meal"
  • You may review nutritional information by the meal or by individual item

NetNutrition® Miscellaneous Information

The information found in this website can be used to help make a choice that fits your dietary needs. However, it is not intended to be used for the diagnosis or treatment of a health issue or as a substitute for consulting a licensed health professional.   Our Culinary Team takes great care to provide healthy, balanced eating options in our dining facilities. We are committed to helping our students with their dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, health conditions, religious restrictions, or simply need guidance or assistance with your food selections, we can provide the resources to assist you and make every effort to accommodate our students.  We make every attempt to deliver up-to-date nutrition and allergen information. The information on our website and in our restaurants are obtained through our vendors or by individual packaging and is accurate to the best of our knowledge. Please be advised that manufacturers may change their formulations without our knowledge, or other factors may occur beyond our reasonable control that may also alter the formulations of the food we serve.  All our Campus Dining locations prepare food containing the top 8 food allergens.   It is ultimately the responsibility of the individual to judge whether or not to question ingredients, and to choose which food items to consume.  For these reasons, we cannot guarantee any item prepared in its kitchens will be free of a certain ingredient or allergen, and thus will not assume liability for adverse reactions to food consumed, or items with which one may come into contact while eating at any Washington and Lee University Dining Services location.  We encourage students and guests with severe allergies to carry necessary medications, including epinephrine injectors, to meals. For individualized assistance please contact diningservices@wlu.edu.  

Healthy Eating in College - Yes, it can be done!

We want you to stay healthy during your college years.  Eating right is an important step.  Here are some tips!

  • NetNutrition® provides nutrition data for the foods we serve on campus
  • Focus on nutrient dense foods such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains
  • Keep portion size in mind and make half your plate fruits and vegetables
  • Drink water or unsweetened beverages instead of high empty calorie sugar-sweetened beverages
  • Check out the USDA's Dietary Guidelines

The Culinary Team at Washington and Lee University takes great care to provide healthy, balanced eating options in all our dining facilities. Make the choices that best work for you!  Please click on the topics below to read more about how we can assist you with your dining experience.  

Food Allergies

Washington and Lee University Dining Services endeavors to identify and label all known ingredients which are considered common allergens. We provide training to our staff regarding food allergens, the risks associated with them, labeling protocol, and appropriate handling procedures of these items. Each year, our staff completes the AllerTrainTMU course.  This training provides a clearer understand of food allergies, intolerances and sensitivities, celiac disease and other special dietary needs of college and university students.    Even with training, however, there is always a risk of contamination with a known allergen in a food production environment. Additionally, suppliers and manufacturers may substitute or modify products at any time, without notifying us. It is the responsibility of the customer with a food allergy(s) or specific nutritional concern(s) to make the final judgment if a food item is appropriate for him/her to consume.   To better serve our guests with food allergies we strongly encourage those with concerns to self-identify as having food allergies and/or specific health related dietary restrictions.  We also recommend meeting with our management team to review our protocols and available options to meet specific needs. We currently work with many guests with allergies and/or specific nutritional concerns and look forward to continuing to do so.   Students with specific nutrition concerns or medically restricted diets should contact diningservices@wlu.edu to arrange a meeting with our staff.  

Ordering an Allergen-Free Meal

Allergen-free meals may be ordered in advance.  Only requests from students who have met with our staff will be approved for this option.  Washington and Lee University Dining Services does not have a designated allergen-free or gluten-free kitchen, but our staff has the equipment and training to minimize cross-contact.  With the proper notice, we can prepare allergen-free meals using designated equipment.  Contact diningservices@wlu.edu for more information on ordering allergen-free meals in advance.   

Nutritional Content & Information

Washington and Lee University Dining Services is working to have all of our nutritional information available online.  As each recipe and ingredient must be analyzed individually, not all options may be available online.   NetNutrition® offers the ease of making nutritional choices based on your specific needs.  From allergens to preferences, NetNutrition® is a handy tool when selecting your meals.  

Additional Resources

The following website offers helpful nutritional analysis of food items/recipes:  www.choosemyplate.gov   On-campus nutrition services are available to students.  To schedule an appointment, contact diningservices@wlu.edu.