Tips for a Halal Diet

Do you follow a Halal diet? ISU Dining makes a concerted effort to purchase and prepare items that are suitable for a variety of practices. Read our registered dietitian’s top tips for managing your Halal diet at Iowa State University.

Halal Diet
Halal Diet
View daily menus with ingredient information at dining.iastate.edu/hours-menus/ to learn which items are considered Halal. Tip: Use the “show by preference” feature for a quicker review!
Review menu labels in the dining center to learn if an item is suitable for your preference. Scan the QR code for a full ingredient list.
Looking for more options in the dining center? Halal proteins are available. Ask a staff member to learn about your options.
Go in with a plan. For a nutritionally-balance meal aim to include a source of Halal protein, starch, fat, fruits, and veggies.

*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.

Further review options by selecting the plus signs.

  • Fish and seafood
  • Beef, lamb, and poultry that have been labeled halal by the supplier
  • Dairy products made with halal enzymes and additives (i.e. milk, cheese, cream, yogurt, etc.)
  • Eggs
  • Vegetables, fruit, and grains (with the exception of those that cause intoxication)
  • Beans, legumes, nuts, tofu, & seeds
  • Animal-derived products extracted from Zabiha animals (i.e. enzymes, animal fat, emulsifiers)
  • Vinegars that do not include wine in the name (i.e. distilled vinegar, cider vinger, balsamic vinegar, etc.)
  • Chocolate liquor – despite the name it does not contain alcohol

*The above items are considered Halal as long as they are not prepared with haram ingredients.

Halal protein options are available at Heaping Plato, Seasons Marketplace, Union Drive Marketplace, and Friley Windows. Staff will discuss options available with the guest at time of request.

  • Pork and its by-products (i.e., gelatin, lipase, pepsin, lard)
  • Animal-derived products or ingredients extracted from non-Zabiha animals (i.e. chicken broth, enzymes, mono- and diglycerides, l-cysteine, etc.)
  • Alcohol or ingredients that contain alcohol (i.e. pure or artificial vanilla extract, chocolate liqueur, wine vinegar, cooking wine)
  • Ingredients made from insects (i.e. Confectioner’s Glaze, Shellac, & Natural Red Dye 4, Cochineal Extract/Carmine, etc.)
  • Blood

Concessions for Those Who Observe Ramadan

  • We will have to-go containers for your morning and evening meals available at Union Drive Marketplace and Seasons Marketplace.
  • Friley Windows and Conversations are open after sunset for evening service Monday-Thursday.
  • Our GET & Go locations can provide portable meal options using a dining center swipe.
  • Our retail locations (markets, cafes, fast casual restaurants) can provide grab-and-go menu items.
  • Please reference our website for service hours.

Because there is no meal plan requirement during the summer, students who make the choice to purchase Block Meals or Dining Dollars should do so with their own religious practices in mind. Refunds will not be given for meals not eaten due to Ramadan. Also, any unused Block Meals remaining at the end of summer will roll over for use during the fall semester, so there is no monetary loss due to Ramadan observance.