By Emma Giebel, VRG Intern

As a Vegan, figuring out what college you are planning on attending may seem like a daunting task. At Loyola University Maryland there are many dining options that accommodate all students, regardless of their dietary restrictions. Loyola features many different dining locations, including two classic dining halls, two smoothie bars, a tacqueria, and a Starbucks. Since veganism is becoming more and more popular, especially with college students, Loyola is expanding their vegan options more and more each year.

     The main dining hall at Loyola, Boulder Garden Café, is the largest and most convenient dining hall. At breakfast, lunch, and dinner, there are a variety of options for vegans. For breakfast, there is a bagel bar with vegan spreads to add, such as peanut butter and jam. A new addition to the menu this past year has been vegan tofu scramble, which is available every weekday. For lunch, there is always a vegan vegetable and starch side available, along with a daily vegetarian side, which can sometimes be vegan. At dinner, which is all-you-care-to-eat, there are similar options. At both lunch and dinner there is a customizable salad bar and grain bar, where students can choose from a variety of different options. There are two types of salad bars, a classic salad bar and a Mediterranean salad bar. Meatless Monday also features different vegan options at the many stations of Boulder, including jackfruit at the barbeque station. And since dinner at Boulder is all-you-care-to-eat, there is an abundance of food choices for vegans.

     There is also a similar, but smaller, dining hall that is located on the other side of campus; Iggy’s Market. Iggy’s offers a classic salad bar, a deli station with vegan options, and vegan hot sides and the occasional hot entrée. Hot entrées can include jerk tofu and stuffed portobello mushrooms, while hot sides can include roasted Brussel sprouts, roasted carrots, and buffalo cauliflower. Along with being a dining hall, it is also mini market, where vegan snacks can be purchased using meal points. Located just feet away from Iggy’s is Fresh West, which offers healthy customizable options, such as smoothies and a trail mix bar.

     One of the most popular stand-alone dining options at Loyola is Green Peel. Located conveniently in the middle of the student center, Green Peel sells smoothies and açai bowls that can be customized in any way you would like. Whether you are in the mood for a fruit- or vegetable-based smoothie, there are many different combinations that you can make for a fantastic beverage. Any smoothie can be made vegan by substituting almond, soy, or coconut milk. Recently, açai bowls were added to the menu. These are wonderful options that can always be vegan just by simply eliminating honey. With Green Peel, there is always a quick and healthy vegan option to choose from.

     The menus for the dining halls are easily accessible on Loyola’s website, and the stand-alone dining options keep a consistent menu. All vegan foods are clearly labelled, so finding out what is vegan is as easy as identifying their logo. If a student ever wants to suggest a new option, the staff is always available to suggestions. Veganism at Loyola is growing with each passing year, so the options will continue to broaden and improve.

For more information about eating at college, see https://www.vrg.org/teen/#college