Gluten-Free Options on Campus

You’ve probably heard the phrase “gluten-free” used frequently in the past few years.

Many people actually do not process gluten, and it is considered an allergy. It can be extremely serious, especially for people who have celiac disease. More information on the symptoms and differences between gluten intolerance and celiac disease can be found here. The health risks involved with gluten intolerance and celiac disease make it imperative that there are gluten-free options for students on campus. Luckily, Auburn has provided resources and options all across campus. Without further ado, here is your gluten-free guide to on-campus dining.

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Mell

Panera

Panera has gluten-free options, but since it’s a bakery, they have no guarantee that the foods won’t get contaminated. It is a decent option if you are gluten intolerant, but risky if you are celiac. Some of their gluten-free items include: 

• Greek Salad

• Caesar Salad (without croutons)

• Seasonal Greens Salad

• Fuji Apple Salad with Chicken

• Modern Greek Salad with Quinoa

• Green Goddess Cobb Salad with Chicken

• Southwest Chile Lime Ranch Salad with Chicken

• Turkey Chili

• Baked Potato Soup

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Lupton Hall 

Fresh From the Plains

Fresh From the Plains is your saving grace! You can eat anything here! It is a Gluten-Free Certified Facility and they have plenty of delicious options. You can check them out here.

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Student Center

Chick-fil-A

Chick-fil-A is not considered a gluten-free restaurant because their food is subject to contamination due to proximity. However, they do have gluten-free options. Some of them include:

• Grilled Chicken Filet (no bun)

• Grilled Market Salad (without toppings)

• Fruit Cup

• Waffle Potato Fries

• Hash Browns

Most of their dipping sauces and dressings are also gluten free. Their website also features a full list of gluten-free options and some useful information on other allergens in their food. 

Saladworks

The Saladworks website has a really helpful feature that allows you to select certain allergens, meats, or any ingredients to avoid and it lists all of the foods that you can eat. Their make-your-own salad tool is perfect for carefully creating your meal. Some of the other gluten-free options include:

• Bently Salad

• Buffalo Bleu Salad

• Fire Roasted Cabo Salad 

• Greek Salad

• Mediterranean Salad

• Chicken Tortilla soup

• Home-style Tomato soup

• New England Clam Chowder soup

• Organic Harvest Bisque soup

• Three Bean Chili soup

• You can eat any of their dressings except their Oriental Sesame and Parmesan Caesar

Starbucks

Starbucks has plenty of gluten-free drink options! Most of the coffees, espressos, and teas are gluten-free. The only coffee and espresso drinks that contain gluten are the Caramel Macchiato and the Maple Macchiato. Some other gluten-free items are: 

• Gluten-Free Marshmallow Dream Bar

• Gluten-Free Chocolate Brownie

• Frappucinos: coffee, mocha, white mocha, and fruit Frappucinos (not caramel)

• Starbucks Refreshers 

• Hot Chocolate (without caramel) 

More specific information on allergens can be found here.

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Foy

Foy Commons Dining

To avoid gluten, you can eat:

• Chicken & veggie stir-fry

• Caramelized onions

• Roasted corn from the grill 

• Spice-rubbed pork loin

• Red beans & rice

• Seasoned carrots

• Fried egg

• Scrambled eggs

• Hash brown potatoes

• White rice

• Turkey burger

• Lyonnaise potatoes

• Vegetable soup 

More information is available here.

Chicken Salad Chick

Chicken Salad Chick has plenty of options, but like many other places, may have food that is exposed to gluten. All of their chicken salads except the Southwest Senorita are on the table, as are most of their chips (but not the crackers). Some of their other gluten-free options include:

• Egg Salad

• Grape Salad

• Broccoli Salad

• Tomato Bisque

• Chicken Tortilla Soup

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The Village

War Eagle Supply Company

The Sambazon Açaí bowls at the War Eagle Supply Company have become extremely popular. They are delicious, organic, Non-GMO, vegan, and gluten free!

Tiger Zone Dining Hall

Tiger Zone Dining Hall has plenty of delicious gluten-free options, especially for dinner! From their salad bar, you can have anything except for their Spicy Citrus-Cucumber Slaw, tortilla chips, honey mustard dressing, sunflower seeds, and croutons. Their full menu with allergen information can be found here. Other options are:

• Blackened chicken

• Vegan jambalaya

• Red beans and rice

• Baked potato wedges

• Brussels sprouts and carrots

• Garlic roasted broccoli

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Snack Foods

Here is a list of gluten-free snacks you can get at the convenience stores around campus:

• Plain fruit

• Kind bars (double-check the labels since certain flavors are NOT gluten-free)

• Chobani Greek Yogurt

• Blue Diamond nuts (plain nuts are typically gluten-free, but might be made near gluten)

• Fisher nuts

• Angie’s BOOMCHICKAPOP popcorn 

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Food Trucks

University Donut Company 

University Donut Company’s Gluten Avoided Donut might not be safe for those who are celiac, but it’s a solid option for those who are only gluten intolerant. You’ll also want to be careful about their flavored coffees; they are likely to have gluten. Their menu is available here. 

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The basic thing to remember when searching for gluten-free food is that pretty much anything containing wheat has gluten (unless it specifically prepared to be gluten-free). Also, most processed snacks use gluten as a binding element. Flavored syrups and dressings often have it. These are the particular things you have to look out for or make sure to ask about at restaurants. Also, always make sure to ask wherever you eat about whether their food is gluten free. While their website might say it is, different locations sometimes use different ingredients. 

I hope this is helpful! If you want more information on what your gluten-free options are, or want information on food options at Auburn in general, you can find more information on the Tiger Dining Health & Wellness page.

Be well, Auburn.

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Photography by Grace H.