12 Ways to Lower Your Risk of Cancer

Everyone's life has been touched in some way by cancer and it remains a frightening diagnosis for most of us. While the many causes of cancer are a focus of much scientific research, it's also great to know what you can do to lower your risk of cancer.

The following article summarizes 12 good strategies for reducing risk of cancer:
http://health.msn.com/health-topics/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100271971

Here are some of the foods listed in the article that lower cancer risk:

• egg yolk


• cabbage


• spinach


• blackberries


• lowfat cheese and milk


• salmon


• whole grains


• hot tea


• vitamin D rich foods

All of the foods on this list can be found in UC San Diego Dining Services locations as part of our rotating menu and in our Places & Markets (mini-grocery stores.)

New Focus for Summer and The Dirty Dozen

Since summertime is a bit different here at UC San Diego - there are fewer university students and more conference guests staying on campus - I have decided to switch the focus of this blog for the summer. Instead of a totally campus-focused blog, I will post about a more wide range of nutrition topics - current events, hot topics, questions I'm frequently asked, etc.

Here goes!

Have you heard about the recent press release regarding the "Dirty Dozen" of fruits and vegetables that contain a high level of pesticide residue? The report is published by the Environmental Working Group reveals this list of the dirty dozen for 2011:

1. Apples
2. Celery
3. Strawberries
4. Peaches
5. Spinach
6. Nectarines (imported)
7. Grapes (imported)
8. Sweet bell peppers
9. Potatoes
10. Blueberries (domestic)
11. Lettuce
12. Kale/collard greens

For more information and for a list of the Clean Fifteen (fruits and veggies with the lowest pesticide residues), click http://shine.yahoo.com/event/green/the-new-quot-dirty-dozen-quot-list-of-produce-2496191/

It's Summer Time!

UC San Diego Dining Services restaurants and Places & Markets are open this summer. The restaurants (Canyon Vista, Plaza Cafe, Pines, Cafe V and Oceanview Terrace) are open with an all-you-care-to-eat-style. The Places & Markets (Earl's, Roger's, the Village) are open for regular business.

Summer Hours
The Bistro* 11am - 3pm (M-F)
Café Ventanas* 7am - 7pm
Canyon Vista* 7am - 7pm
Earl's Place* 7am - 11pm
Goody's* 11am - 10pm (M-F)
OceanView Terrace* 7am - 7:30pm
Pines* 7am - 7pm
Plaza Café* 7am - 7pm
Roger's* 7am - 11pm
Village Market* 7am - 11pm

Please check the website for hours of the location that you would like to visit. Hours are SUBJECT TO CHANGE: http://hdh.ucsd.edu/diningservices/hours.asp

Summer is Here

Dining Services' locations are open through Saturday, June 11th. For hours of operation, click on http://hdh.ucsd.edu/diningservices/

If you're planning to be here for the "fourth quarter", you can also find the operating hours for this summer.

Make sure to stay fueled for your remaining final exams and papers. We're here to help you with meals, snacks and supplies!

Finals Time - Fuel Your Brain!

The end is near - you're almost done with this academic year. There are only a few days of finals left. Remember that eating well and having healthy study habits can help your academic performance.

• don't skip meals


• don't overload on caffeine to stay awake


• if you're tired, sleep. Adequate sleep through the night is important and naps are good too!


• take study breaks for snacks and meals - don't eat while studying because the distraction could cause you to overeat, then you might feel overly full and uncomfortable


• stay hydrated with plenty of water


• take walks, ride your bike, go to the gym - exercise will help you manage your finals-related stress

Good luck on your exams! Remember that the Dining restaurants are open for you to have meals from 7a-8p and the Places & Markets are open from 7a-1a.

Check Out the New MyPlate

Public health officials have replaced the Food Guide Pyramid with the MyPlate system. Check out the new logo to the right.

I like it. Go to www.choosemyplate.gov
to click around on the new concepts, which really aren't new but are presented in a new way.

And check out this video of me from a few summers ago doing a simple version of the Plate Method:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4iCB-6SJ7w&feature=player_embedded

Hummus Plate at Plaza Cafe Today

Yum, hummus. Check out the hummus plate available at Plaza Cafe today - it's a quick, light, vegetarian solution for lunch.

This kind of meal is an easy way to get some of your vegetables - this plate comes with cucumbers, tomatoes and lettuce. It also has pita bread to mix with the hummus. It's fresh, light and perfect for a lunch before class or studying for finals.