Tips for a Dairy Free Diet

Transitioning to college can be a big change, especially for those with dietary restrictions. Read our registered dietitian’s top tips for managing a dairy free diet at Iowa State University.

Dairy Free Diet
Tips
View daily menus with allergen and ingredient information at dining.iastate.edu/hours-menus/ to learn which options do not contain dairy. Tip: Use the “hide by allergen” feature for a quicker review!
Review menu labels in the dining center for quick allergen-information. Scan the QR code for a full ingredient list.
Looking for more options? All of our dining centers have non-dairy milks available. Specific varieties of non-dairy alternatives vary by location. Ask a staff member to learn about your options. They’re happy to help!
Go in with a plan. For a nutritionally-balance meal aim to include a source of protein, starch, fruits, and veggies.
If you have a dairy allergy, be mindful of high-risk areas, such as dessert stations, salad bars, shared fryers, and steam wands in our cafes where there is a higher risk of cross contact. Never hesitate to ask our dining staff about the ingredients and preparation of menu items.
Utilize your dining dollars at our campus markets for additional dairy free snack items and our cafes for dairy free coffees and teas. Tip: If you have a dairy allergy, opt for iced or black coffee or tea in our cafes to limit the risk of cross contact.

*Our dining staff are trained on special diets and cross contact prevention through FARECheck and make every effort to keep our guests safe. However, due to the nature of our commercial kitchens and shared fryers, we cannot guarantee no cross contact has occurred. Don’t hesitate to ask our cooks and dining staff if you have any questions regarding ingredients and/or food preparation.

Special Diet Pantry

Many students can self-manage their diet by using resources throughout campus like the Special Diet Pantry (SDP). It’s scheduled to open Fall 2025 within Seasons Marketplace. The SDP is not exclusively a dairy free space, but it may supplement a dairy free diet.

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Special Diet Kitchen

Students with documented medical dietary restrictions may consider requesting access to the Special Diet Kitchen (SDK) in Union Drive Marketplace. The SDK is not a dairy free space, but extra precautions are taken to prevent cross contact for those with food allergies.

Request Access