Refectory Cafe' at Duke University, Restaurant Review

As I mentioned in my previous blog March is National Nutrition Month. The American Dietetic Association has picked the theme for this year to be "Nutrition From The Ground Up" Two points of this message include choosing locally grown produce and limiting trans fats in the diet. The Refectory Cafe' at Duke University encompasses both of these ideas.
I recently enjoyed lunch at The Refectory Cafe',located near the Duke Chapel in the Divinity School. This popular breakfast and lunch spot is a "Green Cafe'" which features: local products, organic ingredients using recycled material and follows sustainable practices. The Cafe' has a casual, welcoming atmosphere. You are able to view your food options at the time of ordering, and I was happy to see clearly marked ingredient listings and gluten free offerings! Their website explains that:

The Refectory Cafe is proud to serve all foods free of transfats and in styrofoam-free containers.
Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-Free & Low Carb menu items available daily.

I chose a light lunch of vegetarian gluten free chili and corn chips which were very good. You can sign up to receive a weekly email of the menu and specials at www.therefectorycafe.com
The Refectory Cafe' has two locations on Duke's campus one at the Divinity School and the other located at the Law School. It is great to see Duke University offering so many gluten free offerings for students, faculty, staff and visitors. I have already written about the other options at The Great Hall and Trinity Cafe'.

The Refectory Cafe' at Duke Law School Hours:
8-6:30 M,T,Th
8-2:30 W&F

The Refectory Cafe' at Duke Divinity School Hours:
8-2:30 M-F
11-3:00 Sunday Brunch
Driving Directions:
15-501 to Cameron Blvd - Head towards Washington Duke Inn. At the light is the entrance to Duke's West Campus - Science Drive on the Left. Turn Left - approximately 1/2 mile ahead on the right is the Bryan Center Parking Deck.
On foot, outside the parking deck head towards Duke Chapel follow the path to the Left. The Divinity School is immediately to the Left. Enter the first set of doors (adjacent to the Pentecost Stained Glass Window). Go down 1 flight of stairs - The Refectory is on your right.

Gluten Free in College

It is official I have sent my gluten free child off to navigate meals on her own as a college student! I thought my readers might like to know some of the foods and appliances she took with her to help her maintain a healthy gluten free diet while on campus.
Appliances:
1. Quesadilla maker
2. Toaster
3. Large dorm refrigerator/freezer
4. Mini smoothie maker
5. Microwave

Foods:
1. Corn tortillas
2. Cheese
3. Large jar peanut butter
4. Yogurts
5. Fruit
6. Peanuts
7. Glutino Bagels (purchased at Whole Foods)
8. GlutenFreeda Burritos ( breakfast, chicken and cheese, vegetarian bean and cheese)
ordered from The Gluten Free Mall.
9. GlutenFreeda Instant Oatmeal (ordered from The Gluten Free Mall)
10. Bell and Evans Breaded Gluten-Free Chicken Nuggets (ordered from the Gluten Free Mall)
11. Bell and Evans Boneless Skinless Gluten-Free Grilled Chicken Breast (ordered from The Gluten Free Mall)
12. Glutino Frozen Cheese Pizza (purchased from Harris Teeter)
13. Pamelas Simplebites chocolate chips mini cookies (ordered from Amazon)
14. Quinoa Gluten Free Pasta(ordered from Amazon, also available at Harris Teeter, Kroger and Whole Foods)and gluten free pasta sauce
15. Lunberg Gluten-Free Risotto (ordered from Amazon, also available at some grocery stores)
16. Tomato Soup from Pacific Natural Foods(purchased from Kroger)
17. Gluten Free Pancake mix
18. Gluten Free Bars: Envirokidz Crispy Rice Bar (from Whole Foods) South Beach Living High Protein Cereal Bars Cinnamon Raisin (from Amazon)
19. Gluten Free Cereal
20. Gluten Free Bread and Buns-Dr Schar brand (ordered from The Gluten-Free Mall)

I also sent along a gluten free multi-vitamins and Advil!

Note: Amazon grocery is a great way to save some food dollars if you can use a large volume of a product or buy something that has a long shelf life. The Gluten-Free Mall carries many high quality products I had sampled and wanted to purchase but were unavailable locally. The Gluten Free Mall will ship frozen items as well as dry goods.

Gluten Free Students at UNC Chapel Hill-part 2

From my previous post, some will recall that I will be sending my GF daughter off to college this year at UNC Chapel Hill. We have learned a few more tips for navigating a gluten free college experience this summer that may be helpful to others attending UNC or just visiting Chapel Hill. Although the dining hall staff was helpful in my email and phone communications it was evident during our CTOPS (freshman orientation) experience that a meal plan was not going to be a viable option, unless she wanted to live on the salad bar, and hope for no cross contamination issues. We were happy to see a gluten free/vegan peanut butter pudding dessert being offered one night on the dinner menu during CTOPS. I received some helpful comments from current gluten free UNC students who mentioned that if one chooses to join a sorority that the chefs cooking for smaller numbers are often very accommodating. One student also shared her favorite gluten free restaurants on Franklin Street including: McCalister's Deli and Chipotle Mexican.

So my daughter and I hit Franklin Street today and visited several restaurants, picking up menus and asking questions. The following is a brief review of some of the information we gathered:
Qdoba Mexican Grill: Order a naked burrito (note the corn strips, corn taco shells and chips may contain gluten due to them being fried in the same oil as flour containing products)
Jimmy John's: Order an unwhich (see my previous post about ingredient warning)
Panera Bread: some salads and some soups
Lime and Basil : Is a Vietnamese Restaurant, although we did not get to eat here today, this would be worth checking out, as Vietnamese cooking is often gluten free.
R & R grill: extensive menu with salads, burgers, steak, salmon options
Ye Old Waffle Shop: eggs
Biski's Tortilla Wrap Grill: Although their tortilla's are wheat, we were told if you brought your own GF wrap into the restaurant they would be happy to use it and you also could order the fillings without a wrap.
Artichoke and Basil: Chicken, burgers, salads
Pita Pit: no allergy information listed on their website or print media, but you can order their fillings "fork style" as a salad.
Sugarland: awesome gluten free gelato!
Locopops: several gluten free frozen treats

Options on campus at Lenior Main Street include:
Jamba Juice: all smoothies are listed as gluten free except for the Jamba Power Boost and the Cold Buster
Sushinara: all sushi listed as gluten free
Chic-fil-A: char-grilled chicken salad, waffles fries (if using designated frier as used in other Chic-fil-A locations), char-grilled chicken

I am sure we will learn of more options as time goes by, if you have a helpful tip please let me know. Also check out Lauren's updates over at Gluten Free Chapel Hill for other options in the Chapel Hill area.

Gluten Free Students at UNC Chapel Hill

It is getting closer to the time when I will be sending my daughter off to college to navigate the gluten free world on her own. With August only 4 months away I have begun gathering information to make this transition healthy and smooth. She is excited about her acceptance to UNC, Chapel Hill and I am happy to know it is a straight shot down 15-501! I have talked with the food service department about their menu options for gluten free students. I have also made contact with the dietitan who works in the student health area. Both, have been very supportive, but also very honest in the fact that there is not much in place for gluten free students and that as a UNC student you are not bound to have a meal plan. The cafeteria does have some type of rice bread, but no GF toasters. I am awaiting an email that is suppose to send me menus to review. So my focus and goal as a mom and a dietitian is to work with UNC to educate them, provide resources for others who may be coming to the school and feel confident that my daughter will not have to worry about what she will be eating. More to come on this topic.....