Nutrition and Wellness

Approximately 33 million people in the U.S. are affected by food allergies, including the top 9 allergens: wheat, dairy, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, sesame, and soy. UChicago prioritizes safety by maintaining nut-avoidant dining commons which prohibits the use of peanuts and tree nuts, except for coconut. This includes products that contain peanuts and tree nuts and products that are made on shared equipment with peanuts and tree nuts. Additionally, all dining commons have a Pure Eats station which avoids the top 9 allergens as well as gluten. For food allergy support, contact our campus dietitian. Please email: dining-dietitian@uchicago.edu.

Food intolerances are very common in the U.S. and affect roughly 20% of the population. Food intolerances differ from food allergies as they do not cause an allergic response in the body. Instead, many symptoms are digestion-related, such as gas, bloating, and indigestion. All dining commons have digital tablets at each station that display the menu item and ingredient list to help you make informed choices. This information is also available on the UChicago Dining website and DineOnCampus app. In addition, the Pure Eats station avoids all top 9 food allergens as well as gluten.  Reach out to our campus dietitian with any questions about food intolerances at: dining-dietitian@uchicago.edu.

Snacking can help you stay full throughout the day and meet your nutrition needs. Our cafes and markets are full of options like yogurt parfaits, fruit, protein bars and trail mix to keep you satisfied. Have a bit of extra time? Head to a dining common near you for some fruit and hardboiled eggs, a quick bowl of cereal, or toast with sun butter.

Staying hydrated is an important part of a balanced diet. General guidelines recommend drinking half of your body weight (in pounds) in fluid ounces per day. For a 150 pound-person, this is about 75 fluid ounces.. This guideline can be easily met by carrying a water bottle with you, eating watery foods, and getting a drink with your meals.  Our dining common’s cups can hold 16 oz of water if filled up. Have an extra cup of water if you’ve been physically active or sweaty throughout the day. Be on the lookout for signs of dehydration, which include thirst, dry mouth, headache, muscle cramps, and dark-colored urine.

Exercise is key for a healthy body! Regular exercise can help to improve health, quality of life, and increase longevity. The American Heart Association recommends that individuals get at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity per week or 75 minutes of high intensity physical activity per week. Moderate intensity exercise includes activities like walking, hiking, swimming, biking, weightlifting, and playing basketball. High intensity exercise includes activities such as sprinting, running, intense or uphill biking, HIIT training, and CrossFit. In general, try your best to limit your time spent sitting and don’t be afraid to try new things! Reach out to our partners at Athletics & Recreation for more information on UChicago’s fitness facilities and intramural/club sports.