On Campus Resources

What is an RDN?

A Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) is a food and nutrition expert that can provide guidance, counseling, and simple solutions to creating a healthy lifestyle. In a society where nutrition is trending, Dietitians can help separate fact from fad and can translate nutritional science into everyday practical choices.

Meet our registered dietitian, Jessica Carter, RDN, LD

Jessica Carter is UK Dining's Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. Jessica is a graduate of the University of Kentucky, where she completed her BS in Dietetics and Honors program with an emphasis in World Cultural Food Issues. She then went on to complete her Dietetic Internship with Iowa State University. Jessica has experience in food service, long term care, pediatrics, community and worksite wellness. She works with the culinary team to provide special dietary accommodations to students with food allergies/intolerances, and hold events throughout the year to promote overall health and wellness. Jessica strives to help students gain an understanding of their unique nutritional needs so that they feel empowered to make choices that best fit their goals.

Dietitian Support

• Nutrition Consultations for:
  • Food allergies/intolerances
  • Dietary preferences
  • Nutrition Related Medical Issues
  • General healthy eating
• Dining Hall Tours
• Nutrition Educational Events & Tabling
• Cooking Classes

If you have any questions or inquiries, please contact her at diningdietitian@lsv.uky.edu or schedule a consultation.

UK Dining supports students who have food allergies by providing them with the tools and support they need to utilize the dining halls safely and be active in the management of their food allergy or food-related medical condition on campus.

Downloadable Resources
2025 Vegan and Vegetarian Guide
2025 Allergen Guide
 
True Balance - Located at Champions Kitchen and Fresh Food Co. 

True Balance, our Made-Without-Allergens and Gluten Free station, was developed to make life and eating easier for those with allergies and intolerances. The recipes and ingredients have been specially selected by our chefs and registered dietitian to exclude wheat/gluten, peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, sesame, soy, dairy, fish and shellfish.

**Students with allergies to other foods may request specially-prepared meals to accommodate their special diet once they have registered with the Disability Resource Center.**

To see our daily menu offerings at this station, visit our Locations & Menus page.

Created for You

All students can partake from this station, but it was especially created for students with food allergies and intolerances. In order to keep this area safe, we ask that our guests do not bring outside food, plates, cups, utensils, or take-out containers into this area.

Employee Training for Food Safety

Chefs and Cooks at True Balance have received comprehensive food safety training. Continuous education is paramount! Students with allergies and intolerances can be confident that we have trained our staff and execute re-trainings in pursuit of continuous improvement. We work together as a team to ensure that all students are well-nourished, using our products and brands that we purchase, without exception. This approach maintains that all food safety policies and requirements can be managed and executed.

We Want Your Feedback

If you have any questions or feedback regarding True Balance or how we can accommodate your special diet needs, please contact our registered dietitian at diningdietitian@lsv.uky.edu. 

 

Although UK Dining is taking great lengths to accommodate students with allergies, we prepare food in open kitchens where cross contact with foods containing allergens may occur and UK Dining relies on our supplier's ingredient listings and may not be aware of ingredients contained in the food, but not listed on the container or packaging. As such, UK Dining cannot guarantee a completely allergen-free environment.