Safety is one of our top priorities at Tulane Dining Services. We proudly offer a residential dining facility free of tree nut, peanut, and coconut. We also have an onsite campus dietitian to help support your personal dietary needs.

Kara Lubeck, MPH, RDN, LDN

Introducing Tulane's Dining Licensed Dietitian: Kara Lubeck

Kara is involved in every aspect of the dining program at Tulane University. She provides support so that every student has access to dining options that are safe and nutritious. Any student with questions or comments on the foods offered, or foods they would like to be offered, are encouraged to reach out to Kara directly.

Kara graduated from Boston University in 2014 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutritional Sciences. After graduation, she moved to New Orleans and received a Master of Public Health Degree from Tulane University in 2015. Kara completed her dietetic internship at Tulane as well. Kara has worked in restaurant management and as a dietitian in grades K-12. Kara is dedicated to delivering personalized nutritional assistance to every student. If you have any unique nutritional needs, concerns, or questions, she will be happy to help.

Have questions or concerns? Please contact Kara Lubeck.

Please review the following frequently asked questions to learn more about what Tulane Dining offers for a variety of dietary needs.

What if I have food allergies?

Tulane Dining works carefully to address food allergies, celiac diets, or other special dietary needs. Our chefs, managers, supervisors, and Simplified station cooks are certified through AllerTrain, an extensive food allergy and gluten-free training program.

How do I meet with the dietitian to discuss my food allergies?

The Tulane Dining Campus Dietitian is available to meet one-on-one with anyone who has specific dining needs to ensure that your dining experience is safe, delicious, and social. If you have a food allergy or a special diet concern, please contact Kara Lubeck.

Where can I eat in the Dining Room at Malkin Sacks Commons if I have food allergies?

Simplified, the resident dining option offered on the Second Floor at the Dining Room at Malkin Sacks Commons, provides safe and delicious food for customers with food allergies, intolerances, or other special dietary needs. The Simplified station offers freshly prepared proteins, vegetables, and carbohydrates made without milk, wheat, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, shellfish, eggs or gluten.

Tulane Dining takes great measures to protect against the possibility of cross-contact. Separating equipment, utensils, storage areas, and preparation areas minimizes the risk, offering customers a safe and healthy dining option.

Outside of Simplified, Tulane Dining Services offers allergen labeling at each station.

Please be aware that there is always a risk of cross-contact when consuming foods prepared at the same station where an allergen is being served. We do our best to minimize risk, but if you have a concern, please contact Tulane Dining Services.

I'm gluten-free, what are some options for me?

Outside of the Simplified station, where foods are prepared without gluten, there is also Simple Zone. Simple Zone is a self-service pantry in the Malkin Sacks Commons where food items needed by customers with celiac disease or food allergies can be housed with precautions against cross-contamination. This special area is free of tree nuts, peanuts, and gluten-containing ingredients and products. Simple Zone gives students the ability to be involved in their own allergen-safe meal preparation.

Simple Zone can only be accessed with an approved Splash Card. For more information, go to Simple Zone Access.

What if I am vegetarian?

Menu items with the vegetarian icon contain no meat, fish, or poultry, or any meat products such as soup base. Our vegetarian offerings meet the needs of lacto-ovo vegetarians and may include eggs and/or dairy products.

  To access this option, look for the vegetarian logo on station signs and menus. You can also ask the dining hall staff for help.

What if I am vegan?

  Vegan offerings in residential dining contain no meat, fish, eggs, milk, or other animal-derived products such as honey and sugar.

  There is also a plant-based option that contain no meat, fish, eggs, milk, but may contain honey or sugar.

To access these options, look for the vegan and plant-based logo on station signs and menus. You can also ask dining hall staff for help.

I have a dietary need not listed here. What should I do?

If you have a dietary need not listed here, please contact our Campus Dietitian Kara Lubeck.

  Mindful 

Mindful is a national program developed by a panel of dietitians, including Tulane Dining's own Kara Lubeck, promoting a wellness approach that helps you make healthy choices for your needs second nature. We are committed to creating mindful eating environments for our customers. Central to this effort is providing 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. Look for the Mindful logo to enjoy Mindful offerings in the dining hall.

The criteria for a Mindful dish can be found on the Mindful website.