What is a Registered Dietitian (RD)?

Dietitians help and support their clients and communities to understand and enjoy food. The advice and information they provide is tailored to their clients' personal needs, including taste and accessibility. They translate the science of nutrition into terms everyone can understand to support healthy living for all our students.

Registered Dietitians must complete a Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited university program plus undergo comprehensive and rigorous training, both on the job and in university. The required practical training (a minimum of 1,250 hours) to become a Dietitian takes place in a variety of settings including, but not limited to, hospitals, primary health care facilities, and the food industry. Once completing their degree and practical training, Dietitians must write the Canadian Dietetic Registration Examination managed by the regulatory College in each province. 

To use the title Registered Dietitian (RD), Dietitians must be registered with the dietetic regulatory body in the province in which they practice. Dietitians are held accountable to the highest standards of education and ethics, which means looking beyond fads and gimmicks to deliver reliable, life-changing advice. 
 

Are the dining halls in residence allergen free?

Residence dining halls are not allergen free. We have accommodated countless students with allergies, intolerances or special diets over the years, however, our facilities are not gluten- or allergen-free.
 

Can Western accommodate students with allergies and special diets?

At Western, the safety of our students is a high priority. Our goal is to foster an equally safe, supportive, and inclusive environment for all students. 

Hospitality Services at Western employs a full-time Registered Dietitian who works to help ensure information regarding food allergy is transparent and widely accessible. They can be reached by email (nutritionservices@uwo.ca) or phone (519) 661-3855. 

In residence dining halls, our culinary team is knowledgeable around the importance of food safety and allergen risk management in the prevention of cross contamination. 

Please note that while we do our utmost to address your dietary requirements, there might be instances where accommodating your needs may not be feasible. Some students with multiple, potentially life-threatening allergies may want to pursue accommodation off campus. 
 

What can I do as a student with food allergy?

Food allergy management is a shared responsibility. We are here to assist you make informed food choices and we can provide one-on-one support to help you successfully manage your condition. You are, however, ultimately responsible for your allergy. You are expected to:

  • Review our Dietary Responsibilities document.
  • Self-identify to our culinary staff member. 
  • Know what you're allergic to. Make sure you connect with your allergist shortly before coming to Western to be sure your tests are up to date. 
  • Always carry an epinephrine auto-injector (e.g., Epi, ALLERJECT, Emerade) if one has been prescribed to you. 
  • Carry identification and your cell phone. A medical alert bracelet can also provide important information in an emergency. 
  • Ask before you eat. If you're unsure about any ingredients or menu items, please ask. We flag most priority allergens at the point-of-purchase, but it's still important that you take time to ask. Our culinary staff member can review ingredients and cooking methods with you. 
  • Educate those around you on how to recognize symptoms of an allergic reaction and what to do. This might include your Don, roommates, friends and others you interact with on a regular basis. You're not alone. Many students on campus have food allergies. 
  • Plan ahead. Living with food allergies means being prepared and staying safe. If you are going to be away from your usual residence dining hall for certain meals, make a plan. Consider picking up a safe meal option earlier or speaking with a member of our culinary staff when visiting an unfamiliar food service location. 
  • Consider registering with Accessible Education. You are encouraged to register with Accessible Education  before the academic year begins as they may be able to provide you with resources and services that could be of assistance to you at Western. If you provide Accessible Education with information that you believe would be helpful to your residence room assignment, please provide them with permission to share the pertinent information with Housing Admissions. For more information: email aew@uwo.ca or call (519) 661-2147. 
     

What should I do if I suspect am having an allergic reaction while at Western?

  • If you suspect you are having an allergic reaction, report it immediately. Tell a friend, call the front desk if you live in residence, or tell one of the culinary team members if you are eating on campus. 
  • Have someone call 911 from a campus phone to dispatch the Student Emergency Response Team (SERT) or 911 from a cell phone to dispatch Emergency Medical Services (EMS). SERT is equipped with a stock epi-pen auto-injector. For more information on SERT: https://sert.uwo.ca/home/ 
  • Do not go anywhere alone. Stay with a friend or someone you know until SERT or EMS arrives. 
  • If anaphylaxis (the most severe allergy reaction) is suspected, don't wait and see whether symptoms improve. It's better to administer your epinephrine auto-injector, it's safe and easy to use. 
  • After administering an epi-pen, it is essential that you go to the hospital. You could have a secondary (biphasic) reaction and require another dose. 
     

We ask that you self-identify. What does that mean?

It means that we want you to tell us about your allergy or other dietary restriction. 

For students living in residence, here's what we ask that you do: 

  • In the myHousing Portal - as part of your "Residence Placement Questionnaire" you will have the option to submit a "Residence Accessibility Request" Form. Complete this form by the deadline only if you feel your dietary restriction should be taken into consideration during the building assignment process. A qualified health care provider will need to substantiate your request by completing the necessary section on the form. With your consent, the Department of Housing shares your dietary information with the Registered Dietitian in Hospitality Services.  
  • In the summer once your building assignment is announced, you will be encouraged to list your food allergies and dietary restrictions within the Dietary Questionnaire when completing the "Residence On-boarding Process" in the myHousing Portal. With your consent, the information you provide here is also shared with the Registered Dietitian in Hospitality Services. All students who identify as having a severe allergy, intolerance or other diet-related medical condition will be invited by email to book a (virtual) meeting with our Registered Dietitian prior to moving in, to discuss your dietary needs, the supports available within residence dining, and answer any questions you may have - family welcome.  
  • Students wishing to have their allergy information included in a document, which will be shared with the culinary support team, are asked to complete our Student Identification Form. This document will be sent to students that identified as having an allergy, intolerance, or special diet via their Western University email address (@uwo.ca) in August. You are required to provide a photo of yourself in this document, as it will assist our culinary team in familiarizing themselves with you. 
  • If you do not complete the "Residence Accessibility Request" Form, nor disclose your dietary restrictions during the residence on-boarding process, you can ask to speak with the Unit Manager, Chef or Supervisor in your dining hall at any time or reach out to our Registered Dietitian. 
     

How do I read food labels on packaged goods?

Canada has a system for providing nutrition information on food labels. Most prepackaged foods now have Nutrition Facts panels on the label. This is designed so that nutrition information is easier to find and easier to read. 

Some products also carry Nutrition Claims. Most nutrition claims highlight a specific nutrient in a food, such as fat or fibre. These types of nutrition claims are referred to specifically as nutrient content claims. Some nutrition claims reinforce the role of healthy eating as part of a lifestyle that can reduce the risk of developing a chronic disease, such as heart disease or cancer. These types of nutrition claims are referred to specifically as diet-related health claims. 

With effective education, the widespread availability of nutrition information on food labels offers a significant opportunity to improve the nutritional health and well-being of Canadians. The nutrition information on food labels provides an opportunity to take a fresh approach to healthy eating messages and nutrition programs. 

Remember also that all food packages must include a list of ingredients by weight, from most to least (those with the most weight are listed first). This list is an important source of allergy information. 

For more information on how to navigate food labels, review the Food Allergy Canada website.