From the 2011-2012 NCAA D1 Manual. See section 16.5.2(h) regarding bagels. I guess the interpretation is that if it isn't specifically allowed, then it is against the rules. So you could provide spread as part of the training table meal or as a replacement during a normal meal, but don't ever give cream cheese with the bagel for a snack or you will be flogged mercilessly. However, you could say a strawberry jam or preserve would be allowed, because technically that is a fruit.
16.5 HOUSING AND MEALS
16.5.1 General Rule.
An institution is required to apply the same housing policies to student-athletes as it applies to the student body in general. During the academic year, the institution may not house student-athletes in athletics dormitories or athletics blocks within institutional or privately owned dormitories or apartment buildings (when the institution arranges for the housing) on those days when institutional dormitories are open to the general student body. [R] (Adopted: 10/1/01 effective 8/1/02)
16.5.1.1 Athletics Dormitories.
Athletics dormitories shall be defined as institutional dormitories in whichat least 50 percent of the residents are student-athletes. (Adopted: 1/10/91 effective 8/1/96, Revised: 11/1/01 effective8/1/02)
16.5.1.2 Athletics Blocks.
Athletics blocks shall be defined as individual blocks, wings or floors within institutional dormitories or privately owned dormitories or apartment buildings in which at least 50 percent of the residents are student-athletes. (Adopted: 1/10/91 effective 8/1/96, Revised: 1/10/92, 11/1/01 effective 8/1/02)
16.5.1.3 Exception—Nondiscriminatory Housing Policies.
The prohibition against the use of athletics dormitories or blocks does not apply when the institution demonstrates that its housing assignment policies do not differentiate between student-athletes and students generally. (Adopted: 1/16/93 effective 8/1/96, Revised:11/1/01 effective 8/1/02)
16.5.2 Permissible.
Identified housing and meal benefits incidental to a student’s participation in intercollegiate athletics that may be financed by the institution are: [R]
(a)
Summer-Dormitory Rentals. An institution may rent, at the regular institutional rate, dormitory space to a prospective or enrolled student-athlete during the summer months if it is the institution’s policy to make dormitory space available on the same basis to all prospective or enrolled students (see Bylaw 15.2.2.3 for permissible housing benefits for student-athletes eligible to receive financial aid while attending summer school).
(b) Preseason Practice Expenses. The institution may provide the cost of room and board to student-athletes who report for preseason practice prior to the start of the academic year, it being understood that the student athlete has been accepted for admission to the institution at the time such benefits are received. Further, an institution, at its discretion, may provide an additional meal (as opposed to the cash equivalent) to student athletes to meet their nutritional needs as a benefit incidental to participation during the preseason practice period prior to the start of the academic year. (Revised: 4/24/03, 3/10/04)
(c)
Training Table Meals. An institution may provide only one training table meal per day to a student-athlete during the academic year on those days when regular institutional dining facilities are open (see Bylaw15.2.2.1.6). A student-athlete who does not receive institutional athletically related financial aid covering the full cost of board, including a walk-on or partial scholarship recipient, may purchase one training table meal per day at the same rate that the institution deducts from the board allowance of student-athletes who receiveathletically related financial aid covering board costs pursuant to Bylaw 15.2.2.1.6. (Adopted: 1/10/91 effective8/1/96, Revised: 11/1/01 effective 8/1/02, 5/8/06, 4/26/07)
(d)
Meals Incidental to Participation.
(1)
Missed Meal Due to Practice Activities. A student-athlete who is not receiving athletically related financialaid (e.g., walk-on) may receive the benefit of a training-table meal during the permissible playing and practice season in those instances in which the student-athlete’s schedule is affected by involvementin practice activities, provided the student-athlete previously has paid for the same meal (e.g., dinner) at an institutional dining facility. (Revised: 5/9/06)
(2)
Meals in Conjunction with Home Competition. All student-athletes are permitted to receive meals at the institution’s discretion beginning with the evening before competition and continuing until they are released by institutional personnel. An institution shall not provide cash to student-athletes in lieu of meals during this time period. An institution, at its discretion, may provide a meal or cash (not to exceed $15), but not both, to student-athletes at the time of their release by institutional personnel. (Revised:4/25/02, 4/29/04, 5/2/05, 5/9/06, 12/12/06, 4/24/08 effective 8/1/08)
(3)
Meals in Conjunction with Away-from-Home Competition. An institution may provide meals to student-athletes in conjunction with away-from-home competition pursuant to one of the following options:
(i) All student-athletes are permitted to receive a pregame or postgame meal as a benefit incidental to participation in addition to regular meals (or meal allowances per Bylaw 16.8.1.2.3). An institution, at its discretion, may provide cash, not to exceed $15, in lieu of a postgame meal; or (Revised: 5/9/06,4/24/08 effective 8/1/08)
(ii) All student-athletes are permitted to receive meals at the institution’s discretion from the time the team is required to report on call for team travel until the team returns to campus. If a student-athlete does not use team travel to return to campus, he or she may receive meals at the institution’s discretion up to the point he or she is released from team-related activities by the appropriate institutional authority. An institution shall not provide cash to student-athletes in lieu of meals under this option before their release. An institution may provide a meal or cash, (not to exceed $15), but not both, to a student-athlete at the time of his or her release by the institutional authority, regardless of whether he or she uses team travel to return to campus.
(Adopted: 4/24/08 effective 8/1/08, Revised: 9/24/09)
(e) Vacation-Period Expenses. deleted for brevity(Adopted: 4/29/04, Revised: 1/8/07 effective 8/1/07, 4/17/07)
(f )
Meals Related to Institutional Committee Service. A student-athlete who serves on an institutional committeemay receive expenses to cover the cost of a meal missed as a result of a committee meeting that occurs when regular institutional dining facilities are open; (Adopted: 8/11/98)
(g)
Nutritional Supplements. An institution may provide permissible nutritional supplements to a student athlete for the purpose of providing additional calories and electrolytes. Permissible nutritional supplementsdo not contain any NCAA banned substances and are identified according to the following classes: carbohydrate/electrolyte drinks, energy bars, carbohydrate boosters and vitamins and minerals. (Adopted: 4/27/00effective 8/1/00, Revised: 11/1/01 effective 8/1/02, 4/14/09)
(h)
Fruit, Nuts and Bagels. An institution may provide fruit, nuts and bagels to a student-athlete at any time. (Adopted: 4/30/09 effective 8/1/09)
16.5.2.1 Effect of Violation—Preseason Practice Expenses.
A violation of Bylaw 16.5.2-(b) due to amiscalculation of the permissible start date for preseason practice shall be considered an institutional violation per Constitution 2.8.1; however, the student-athlete’s eligibility shall not be affected. (Adopted: 10/29/09)
