What's Healthy to Eat on Campus?

UC San Diego resident students are fortunate to have a wide range of food options and locations from which to choose to spend their Dining Dollars (meal plan).

Check out all of Dining's locations at http://hdh.ucsd.edu/diningservices/

The 5 large restaurants are:

• Plaza Cafe (Revelle)



• Pines (Muir)



• Oceanview Terrace (Marshall)



• Cafe Ventanas (ERC)



• Canyon Vista (Warren)

There are also Places & Markets, which are mini-groceries, coffee shops and places to hang out:

• Roger's (Revelle)



• John's (Muir)



• Goody's (Marshall)



• The Village Market (ERC/the Village)



• Earl's (Warren)



• Sixth Market (Sixth)

And we have some more places where you can get different things to eat and also accept your Dining Dollars:

• Goody's - burritos, sandwiches, wraps, salads, fruits, veggies and more



• Foodworx - salads, sandwiches, wraps, pizzas, fruits, veggies and more



• the Bistro - full-service restaurant with great service and great cuisine


• Club Med - breakfast and lunch salads, flatbread pizzas, hot and cold sandwiches

You can make healthy choices at each and every one of these locations. If you need help knowing how to choose healthfully, well that's where I can help! Let me know and I'll be happy to assist you in staying healthy while living and eating on campus. Also look for the LiveWell logo (above) at the 5 large restaurants - LiveWell meals are RD-approved, healthy meals.

Welcome to UC San Diego!

To All New and Returning Students at UC San Diego:




Welcome to UC San Diego's Dining Services Healthy Eating blog! The purpose of this blog is to help you stay connected to what's happening in Dining Services with a special focus on the healthier side of things. My name is Becky and I'm the registered dietitian (RD) for Housing, Dining & Hospitality. I help students make healthy lifestyle choices while living on campus. Please feel free to check into this blog for posts on healthy foods, healthy events and what I hope is fun and informative nutrition and health information.

Check for the orange and purple "Real Deal on Nutrition" logo (see above) for nutrition news and events where I'll appear.



Also visit our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2387457222 for updated information on what's happening all over Housing*Dining*Hospitality.

Do you have questions about eating at one of Dining's locations? Email me at rmcdivitt@ucsd.edu and I'll be happy to help!

Welcome to the start of a great academic year and good luck with your studies!

Come See Chef Vaughn and Me in the Zone Tonight!

When? 5-6pm TONIGHT!

Where? The Zone in Price Center (next to Jamba Juice)

What? A cooking demo led by Dining's executive chef, Vaughn Vargus, CEC, CCA. I will provide color commentary and answer nutrition-related questions.

It's free and there will be free samples of Chef Vaughn's special panna cotta.

USDA to Reveal Updated Food Guide Pyramid

In the continued effort to help Americans improve their overal health, the USDA wil announce a new icon and approach for the Food Guide Pyramid on June 2nd, 2011. The rationale behind re-vamping the look and feel of the Pyramid is that the current Pyramid does not attract much attention from the public.

The new Food Guide Pyramid approach will involve major marketing of the new icon and how-to suggestions on healthier lifestyle choices. Here is a sampling:

• enjoy your food but eat less


• avoid oversized portions


• make half of your plate fruits and vegetables


• switch to fat-free or low-fat milk


• choose lower sodium foods


• drink water instead of sugary drinks

If you've ever talked with me or another registered dietitian about healthy nutrition, you've probably heard a few of those suggestions!

See: http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20110526/food-pyramid-replacement-coming-june-2 for more information.

Real Deal on Nutrition Today in Plaza Cafe

Come by Plaza Cafe for lunch today where I'll be serving up the LiveWell meal and answering your questions about nutrition.

Today's LiveWell meal at Plaza: Lemongrass Chicken.

The Lemongrass Chicken contains approximately 230 calories, 6.5g fat, and 36g protein.

LiveWell, Eat Well!

It's Sunday, fun-day. You can get the following LiveWell entrees in your nearest Dining Services restaurant. Have a LiveWell option to end your weekend with a healthy meal.

At Pines: Chicken Breast with Curry

At Plaza Cafe and Canyon Vista: Corn and Black Bean Wrap (vegetarian, vegan upon request)

At OVT: Grilled Tilapia Street Tacos

At Cafe Ventanas: Sweet Potato Burrito (vegetarian, vegan upon request)

Come Get the Real Deal on Nutrition Today at Canyon Vista

Come get the Real Deal on Nutrition today during lunch at Canyon Vista on Warren College.

I will be at Canyon Vista today serving the LiveWell meal and answering your questions about nutrition.

Today's LiveWell meal is Latin Pork with Mango Mojo. Nutrition Facts: 218 calories, 9g fat, 0.5g fiber, 26g protein. This cut of pork is a lean source of protein.

Come get a healthy meal and say hello!

LiveWell on the Weekend!?

Yes, you can "LiveWell" on the weekends too! All Dining Services restaurants have healthy, RD-approved LiveWell meals on the weekends too.

One of my personal favorite LiveWell meals is available today at Oceanview Terrace on Marshall College. It's the Sweet Potato Burrito - sounds weird but it's tasty!


Look for the LiveWell logo (pictured at right) to find the LiveWell meal in your Dining restaurant. You will also see the Nutrition Facts posted right by the meal.

Have a great weekend!

Real Deal Today at Cafe Ventanas

Come by Cafe Ventanas on ERC for the Real Deal on Nutrition. I will be at Cafe V during lunchtime dishing up the LiveWell meal and answering your nutrition questions.

Today's LiveWell meal at Cafe V is the Baked Salmon with an Indian-spiced Rub. Salmon is healthy because of its omega-3 fatty acids and protein content.

The LiveWell Salmon with Indian-spiced Rub has:

230 calories, 17g fat, 5g fiber, 14g protein in a 4-ounce portion.

Sometimes students ask me how salmon can be healthy when it appears to be high in fat - well, that is because the type of fat that makes up the majority of fat in salmon is good for you. Try not to "eat by numbers" when you are making your meal selections. Think of the big picture and your overall intake, not the individual grams of fat or numbers of calories.

LiveWell with Vegetarian Gnocchi today at Pines

Today's LiveWell meal at Pines restaurant on Muir College is one of my favorites, the Vegetarian Potato Gnocchi.

I like this dish because it's tasty and filling but also contains veggies like zucchini, cherry tomatoes, spinach and shallots. The recipe also calls for parmesan cheese so the recipe meets vegetarian but not vegan requirements.

If you are vegan and would like to try this dish, please ask to speak with the manager on duty. We can make the dish for you without the parmesan cheese. All other ingredients meet vegan requirements.

How Can You LiveWell Today?

LiveWell meals are offered everyday in Dining Services.

Today's LiveWell options are:

• Latin Pork with Mango Mojo at Pines


• Tuscan Chicken with White Beans at Cafe Ventanas


• Peruvian Pork at Canyon Vista


• Lemongrass Chicken at Canyon Vista and Plaza Cafe

Look for the Nutrition Facts for all LiveWell items posted right by the meal.

Happy Eating!

Real Deal today at OVT

Come by Oceanview Terrace today during lunchtime to say hello, try the LiveWell meal and talk nutrition with me.

I'll be serving the LiveWell meal, which is Curried Chicken with Spicy Indian Dahl:

• 444 calories


• 11g fat


• 11g fiber


• 49g protein

This LiveWell meal is high in protein from the chicken and the dahl and is also high in fiber from the dahl.

Come get the Real Deal on Nutrition today at Plaza Cafe!

Come see me serving the LiveWell meal today during lunch at Plaza Cafe. I would love to say hello and answer your nutrition questions.

Today's LiveWell meal at Plaza Cafe is:

Curry Chicken with Spicy Indian Dahl

Nutrition Facts: 444 calories, 11g fat, 11g fiber and 49g protein. The fiber comes from the dahl (lentils) and the protein comes from both the chicken and the dahl.

If you're vegetarian or vegan, we'll be happy to serve you a bowl of the dahl because it is delicious on its own as well.

LiveWell everyday with Dining Services Restaurants

Dining Services has 5 full-service restaurants with daily LiveWell meals:

• Canyon Vista (Warren)


• Cafe Ventanas (ERC)


• Oceanview Terrace (Marshall)


• Pines (Muir)


• Plaza Cafe (Revelle)

Every day, there are at least 4 LiveWell options to choose from for a healthy, RD-approved meal.

Today's options are:

• Tuscan Chicken with White Beans at Cafe V


• Vegetarian Gnocchi at Plaza and Canyon Vista


• Bruschetta Baked Chicken at OVT


• Five Spice Chicken Saute at Pines

Come get the Real Deal on Nutrition today at Pines

Come by Pines restaurant on Muir College today during lunch time to get the Real Deal on Nutrition. I'll be at Pines serving the LiveWell meal and answering your questions about nutrition. Pines LiveWell meal today: Curry Chicken with Spicy Indian Dahl, which has 444 calories, 11g fat, 11g fiber, and 49g protein. The fiber comes from the dahl and the protein is from both the chicken and the dahl.

It's Finals Week - Stay Healthy!

It's FINALS WEEK!!!!!

I've spoken with several students today and here are some excerpts from what they shared with me about their Finals Week experience:

• "I didn't sleep at all last night"
• "Sometimes I study so much, I forget to eat"
• "When I'm stressed out, I eat greasy food"

Whereas you might not be surprised by these comments, they do highlight some of the ways that college students put themselves at increased risk for poor performance and/or illness during exam time.

What can you do to help with the stress of Finals Week?

• Eat regularly - don't skip meals! Your schedule this week may be different from class weeks but make sure you don't go too long without eating something.
• Sleep!!!! I know that this is one recommendation with which college students find it very difficult to comply.
• Eat healthy meals (like LiveWell meals!), fruits, vegetables
• Stay hydrated - water, milk, 100% juice, tea
• Practice deep breathing - try to relax
• Exercise - a great stress reliever
  
  

What's Cooking in Dining Services?

Check out Dining Services' online menu postings so you know what's being served in your favorite restaurant:

http://hdh.ucsd.edu/DiningMenus/

You will see the LiveWell meal served every day in these restaurants. And why not try out every LiveWell meal - they are healthy, RD-approved and only $5.95 with 1 side!

Featured LiveWell Dish: Gnocchi

Here is a picture of the LiveWell Gnocchi that I had for lunch last week at Plaza Cafe.

LiveWell Gnocchi:

• vegetarian
• made from potatoes, which are a great source of potassium
• 1 serving contains 350 calories, 17g fat, 4.5g fiber, 10g protein
• costs $5.95 with one side. I chose steamed vegetables (broccoli, zucchini, and carrots) with my meal, which is pictured to the right.

When can you get this Gnocchi dish next?

• This Monday, Feb 21st at Cafe Ventanas

Real Deal on Nutrition TODAY in Plaza Cafe

Come see me today during lunch at Plaza Cafe dishing out the Real Deal on Nutrition and serving the LiveWell meal.

Today's LiveWell meal at Plaza is: Salmon with Tomato and Fennel Confit, which has 300 calories, 19g fat, 0.5g fiber and 29g protein. Salmon has omega-3 fatty acids, which are good for the heart but often lacking in most Americans' diets.

Have nutrition questions? Like healthy food options? Have ideas or healthy recipes that you'd like to share with me?

Come by Plaza Cafe today to say hello and have a great lunch!

LiveWell today in Dining Services

LiveWell meals are healthy, RD-approved meals.

Check out the choices that you have for LiveWell meals TODAY, Feb 7th, 2011:

Tuscan Chicken at Plaza Cafe (Revelle) & Canyon Vista (Warren)

Potato Gnocchi at Pines (Muir)

Salmon w/Indian rub at OVT (Marshall)

Chicken Bruschetta at Cafe V (ERC)