Nutrition
At Liberty Dining Services, we put a lot of emphasis on health and wellness. Ensuring that our students have easy access to healthy, nutritious meals is one of our top priorities, and we work diligently to make that happen. When students eat better, they perform better, so that is why our campus dietitian works with our campus chefs all across campus so that no matter where our students eat, they can rest assured that there are healthy options on the menu for them.
Below, you will be able to see all the different programs and initiatives that we take to make sure that good nutrition is at the forefront of our dining program.
Meet The Dietitian
Hello! My name is Rachel and I am the campus dietitian for Liberty University Dining Services. I am a native to Lynchburg and still live in the area with my husband and 3 children. I am here as a resource for you! We can meet if you have questions related to your general nutrition, a health concern like a food allergy/sensitivity, a chronic disease, or weight management. I also provide programs throughout the school year to promote good nutrition and overall wellness via food service offerings.
I received a BS in Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise from Virginia Tech in 2008, and then became a registered dietitian in 2009. I also completed a Masters of Public Health from the Virginia Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine in 2011. Since then, I have worked in community and clinical settings that add to my skill and knowledge in dietetics. My professional niche interests are agriculture and promoting health and wellness via the Health at Every Size (HAES) model. I look forward to meeting with you and making your experience with Liberty Dining Services a great one!
Contact Rachel: 434-592-6116 // rachel.sanders@sodexo.com
Mindful by Sodexo
Mindful is Sodexo's health & wellness approach that helps you make healthy choices second nature! We are committed to creating healthy environments for our customers. Central to this effort is providing healthy, nutritious foods. The result of this initiative is an approach that focuses on transparency of ingredients, delicious food, satisfying portions and clarity in message so that you can make Mindful choices!
Mindful offerings meet stringent nutritional criteria based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Each meal part is limited in calories, has fewer than 30% of calories as fat, fewer than 10 % of calories as saturated fat, and is restricted in sodium, and cholesterol. Look for the Mindful icon to indulge in the healthy and delicious items offered at each meal.
In 2017, Liberty achieved Mindful Gold Status, meaning we offer an elite program that makes it easy for students to have access to healthy, nutritious meals.
Gluten Intolerant Options Program
The Gluten Intolerant Options Program (G.I.O.) was designed to allow students with a gluten dietary restriction to swipe for a gluten-free item at no additional charge. Students not on this program can still get gluten-free items at dining locations by simply paying an additional fee.
If you'd like to sign-up for the GIO plan, please fill out our online application.
** **
If you'd like to check out our GIO offerings, please click below
In 2014, Liberty was ranked in the Top 10 Gluten-Free Accommodating Colleges by Udi's Gluten-Free. In 2017, Liberty was ranked #1 for Best Food Allergy Training Program at a University by AllerTrain.
Food Allergies
We take pride in sourcing wholesome ingredients, preparing recipes accurately and providing nutritional analysis and ingredient statements through our online menus and nutrition calculator. We are all passionate about serving students. From the general manager to front-line servers, we work diligently to address students’ specific needs, especially those with food allergies, Celiac disease, or special diet needs. In 2017, our program won Best Allergy Training at a University by Restaurant.org and AllerTrain. We also have an Allergen Friendly station in the Reber-Thomas Dining Center that is free from the 8 most common food allergies.
A team approach led by you, our educated consumer, is the best preparation for a safe school year free of allergic reactions. We want to meet one-on-one with all of our customers who have individual dining needs to ensure that your dining experience is safe, delicious, and social. If you have a food allergy/special diet concern, please call or send us a note using the feedback form. View our all-encompassing Campus Allergen Program video to learn more about everything we have to offer!
You'll find our Simple Zone at the Reber-Thomas Dining Center. Simple Zone is a locked pantry with food choices that are gluten-, dairy-, peanut-, and tree nut-free. In this space there is a “make your own” egg station, a toaster, and toaster oven for items like waffles and breads. There is also a microwave to heat up pre-packaged meals stored within the Simple Zone refrigerator. Other items offered include soy yogurt, flavored bagels, seed and oat bars, potato chips, donuts, sweet cakes, and cereals. To gain access to this room, students must meet with the registered dietitian to determine their need. View our walkthrough video of this concept here: SimpleZone | Liberty Dining
The Medical Disability Dietary Accommodations Request is for students with a documented medical diagnosis that require a modified diet that cannot be provided through Liberty Dining Services. Liberty University requires all students living on campus to purchase a University Meal Plan in connection with financial check-in. In rare circumstances, exemptions from this policy are made for a documented disability which cannot be reasonably accommodated within the Liberty Dining Services system in some way. You can get more information about dietary accommodations online.
If you'd like more information on some of the allergies that we address on campus, please see below.
Peanut and Tree-Nut Allergy Information
In 2019, Liberty was ranked in the Top 20 Best Dining for People with Allergies by BestColleges.com
Healthy Lifestyle
At Liberty Dining Services, we actively work to eliminate phrases such as the "freshman 15". Our dedicated team of chefs, alongside our campus dietitian, strives to ensure that healthy options are available at all areas on campus. So, whether you are dining in our award-winning dining hall or visiting one of our many on-campus restaurants, we want you to know that there are options available for you so that you can live a healthy lifestyle. Please click below for a quick guide on healthy options around campus.
In 2013, Liberty was ranked 3rd Healthiest College in the nation by TheDailyBeast.com In 2017, Liberty was ranked 19th in Niche.com's Top 20 Campus' for Food Variety