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.

Happy Memorial Day!

Dining Services will be open today for the holiday with modified hours. Restaurants are open "weekend hours" from 10am-8pm.

Click on http://hdh.ucsd.edu/diningservices/hours.asp for the hours of the location that you would like to visit today, Monday 5/30/11.

Have a safe and happy holiday. Thank you to all the men and women who have served or are serving in our armed forces.

Hot Trend: Greek Yogurt

It's nearly impossible to watch a half-hour of television without seeing a commercial for some kind of Greek yogurt. What's all the fuss about this kind of yogurt? It's hard to say for sure why Greek yogurt is such a hot trend but it has been around for centuries and is traditionally made using a straining process that removes the whey from the yogurt. Traditional Greek yogurt is higher in fat than most other yogurts and can therefore have a smoother, creamier mouthfeel. There are MANY different varieties of yogurts labeled as Greek yogurt on shelves in the U.S., though - so check the nutrition facts labels for what you want to know.

In general, yogurt remains a hot trend in food because it contains live, active bacteria cultures and the concepts of probiotics and even prebiotics are subjects of much research. It'll be interesting to learn what these healthy little critters might be able to do for human health in the future. In addition, yogurt is another way to get calcium and a little protein.

In the meantime, if you're into yogurt or Greek yogurt (pictured above: Greek God brand Greek yogurt in Roger's Place on Revelle College), you will find plenty of options in Dining Services restaurants and Places & Markets. In the restaurants, you will find yogurt on the Fruit and Yogurt bars everyday. In the Places & Markets, you will find a variety of yogurts in individual servings.

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.

The HDH Garden Is In Bloom!

Check out the Garden that was planted and is tended to by Dining's Executive Chef, Vaughn Vargus and HDH's Sustainabilty Manager, Krista Mays.

From its humble beginnings with a few small buds (first picture) to the vegetation explosion in the next pictures. Woohoo!

Dining Services will incorporate the fresh herbs, jalapenos, other peppers and produce into recipes for you! There is nothing better tasting that fresh veggies, spicy peppers, and herbs straight from the garden. Can't get more local than that!

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)

Are You Checking the Nutrition Info at Pines?

Have you seen the nutrition information on the digital board in Pines restaurant just inside the entrance?

Pictured here: The Pines digital board with Sodium information. The recommendation for daily sodium intake has decreased to 1,500mg per day.


Check it out and let me know what kind of information you would like to see posted on this board.

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!

UC Walks Event Tomorrow on Sun God Lawn

Faculty and Staff:
Join your colleagues systemwide in recognizing National Employee Health and Fitness Day by participating in UC Walks.

Event Information
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Locations: Sun God Lawn (more locations TBD)
http://blink.ucsd.edu/HR/services/support/health/ucwalks.html

Stop by a location to get a free t-shirt and other giveaways, as well as, register for the chance to win a free iPod!

Thank you to our sponsors!
Kaiser Permanente
StayWell Health Management
Walk UCSD

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!

Sun God Festival - Be Smart

Today is the annual Sun God Festival and it's Friday, the 13th! So what does that mean? Well, that is up to you.

Here are some great tips from Student Health Services that can be applied to surviving Sun God:
http://studenthealth.ucsd.edu/atodeducation.shtml

Be responsible, be safe and have fun - it's possible to do all three!

Are You Seeing These Signs?

Have you seen these green signs in Dining restaurants? These signs are to help you quickly identify vegetarian and vegan choices.

If you can't find one of these signs or whatever it is that you are looking for during any given meal, what do you do?

ASK A MANAGER!

We are happy to help and will make sure that you get the vegan, vegetarian or meat-containing meal that you want.

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.

Real Deal Today at Cafe Ventanas!

I'll be at Cafe Ventanas today during lunch serving up the LiveWell meal and answering your nutrition questions.

Today's LiveWell meal is Salmon with Tomato and Fennel: 298 calories, 19g fat, 0.5g fiber and 29g protein.

Stop by for a healthy meal and to say hello!

Midterm Time: Fuel Your Brain with Fruits and Veggies

Many college students admit that they don't eat as many fruits and vegetables per day as they know that they should. Although it can be a challenge some days, eating enough fruits and vegetables is important in keeping you healthy, preventing illness and feeling your best.

Fruits and vegetables contain disease-fighting nutrients and phytochemicals as well as fiber and water for a healthy functioning digestive tract.

Try to eat a fruit or vegetable with every meal and include them in snacks as well. The picture to the right shows some of the fresh produce available at the Village Place & Market on North Campus.

You can get fresh fruits and veggies in every Place & Market and in every Dining restaurant. Try to eat a wide variety of fruits and veggies of many different colors to cover a broad range of nutrients.

Farm2U going on right now on the Muir Quad!

Check out Dining's Farmer's market, Farm2U. It's going on right now until 5:30pm. Stop by for some fresh, local, organic produce.
My favorite choice of the day is the organic strawberries from Fallbrook, CA. They're organic, delicious, and very good for you.

Beat the heat today with some cool produce and of course, you can use your Dining Dollars!

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.