Office of Student Life

Your Student Life: Navigating Your Plate

September 23, 2025

For Ohio State students managing dietary restrictions, allergies or simply aiming for healthier eating, online menus from Student Life Dining Services are your culinary compass. Easily explore menus and make informed food choices, right from your phone.

Key Features for Dietary Needs:

Once you’re on Dining’s online menu page, here's how to leverage its features:

  1. Select Your Dining Location and Date: Start by choosing the specific dining hall or location you plan to visit. You can also select the date to view future menus, helping you plan your meals in advance.

  2. Filter by Allergens and Dietary Preferences: Look for a "Filters" option (often an icon like a funnel or a list with three lines in a circle). Here you can:
    • Select Common Allergens: Check boxes for the top nine major allergens you need to avoid (e.g., Dairy, Gluten/Wheat, Peanuts, Tree Nuts, Soy, Eggs, Fish, Shellfish, Sesame).
    • Choose Dietary Preferences: Filter for options like Vegetarian, Vegan, Halal or free from Gluten

What happens next? Once you apply these filters, items containing your selected allergens will be highlighted in red and crossed out, making them immediately identifiable as foods to avoid. Items that meet your dietary preferences will be highlighted in yellow.

  1. View Detailed Nutrition Information: Click on any individual food item to see its complete nutritional breakdown, including:
    • Calories
    • Macronutrients (protein, carbs, fat)
    • Micronutrients
    • Full Ingredient List: This is crucial for checking for hidden allergens or ingredients not covered by the main filters.
  1. Utilize the Nutrition Calculator: You can add multiple food items to this calculator to see their combined nutritional values, helping you assess your overall meal.

By effectively utilizing Ohio State’s online menus and communicating with dining staff, you can confidently navigate our vast dining options and ensure your dietary needs are met, allowing you to focus on your studies and embrace the full Buckeye experience!

 

Ashley Richardson RD, LD
Assistant Director of Nutrition
Office of Student Life Dining Services