The Final Stretch

Hang on tight…less than three weeks until summer vacation! Before you hit the open road though, you’ll have to make it through those inevitable finals.

To do your best, you’ll need to refuel that engine (aka body) of yours. Dining Services’ Restaurants and Markets can help, since they are loaded with the season’s freshest produce, lean proteins, and starches to provide you with nutrient-packed meals morning, noon, and night.

If you’re stressed about running low on Dining Dollars or wondering what to do if you have too many left, stop worrying now! The improved Dining Services website http://hdh.ucsd.edu/DiningMenus/ can show you the exact item and cost for every available menu choice.

Here are a few suggestions for nutrient-packed menu items to pick up at the Dining Services Restaurant near you:

·         Dietitian Delight $1.95: Hearty whole grain English Muffin, topped with egg whites, part-skim mozzarella cheese, sliced turkey, and sautéed spinach

 

 

 

·         Chicken Breast Sandwich: $4.95: Grilled boneless, skinless chicken breast served on a hamburger bun with sliced lettuce, tomato, and onion

·         Cheese Pizza $1.95 with Garden Salad $2.20: Hot & fresh baked pizza topped with part-skim mozzarella cheese, served alongside a fresh garden salad with a light balsamic vinaigrette

Have a question or comment? Feel free to contact me at tastebuds@ucsd.edu.

Memorial Day Madness

For those of you partaking in Memorial Day celebrations this weekend, boy are you in store for a treat! Not only is the weather supposed to be in the mid-70s here in San Diego, but there are a plethora of fun activities occurring all around town.

Jump start your weekend by stopping into one of the Markets here on campus to load up on foods and fluids. Whether you plan on heading down to the beach or lounging at a backyard BBQ, it’s great to be prepared. Having fresh fruits and vegetables on hand, ready to eat, makes it that much easier to snack smart in the heat!

Here’s a few simple ideas to get your creative juices flowing:

 

·         Slice fresh strawberries over fresh frozen yogurt or sorbet. Not only will it be a refreshing treat, you’ll also get a great source of fiber and antioxidants.

·         Wash and freeze red grapes! The freezing process makes these a delicious mini frozen treat to pop in your mouth with no messy clean up!

·         Peel a banana and slice into quarters. Top with a dollop of peanut butter and one chocolate chip. Freeze and enjoy!

·         Cut cucumbers and carrots into “chips” and serve with a fresh hummus or yogurt based ranch dip. Not only will you enjoy a great source of protein, but you’ll also rack in the nutrients from fresh veggies.

·         Pick up a bag of oven baked or “popped” chips and serve with a yogurt based ranch dip. You’ll get the crunch without the 20 + grams of fat from a regular potato chip.

 

Have a happy and safe Memorial Day weekend UC San Diego! Please share your favorite weekend snacks by commenting here or posting to our Facebook page.

Interested in learning more about a particular topic? Feel free to email me at tastebuds@ucsd.edu or follow HDH on twitter & check Facebook for upcoming events featuring the Taste Buds!

Hello Sun God

Today marks the 20^th anniversary of the UC San Diego annual Sun God Festival. The event started back in 1984 as a celebration marking the one year anniversary of the statue of the Sun God, the first piece of the famous Stuart Collection here on campus.

Sun God has expanded drastically over the last two decades, however the idea behind the day remains true at heart…which is to allow students an opportunity to enjoy themselves post mid-terms.  Though the hope is that all students will be responsible and keep their wellness in mind, I know sometimes the atmosphere of the day soaks into your bloodstream and you may forget some of the important basics, like hydrating and eating!

In order to prevent heat exhaustion in these extreme temperatures, I recommend you load up on fluids… like water and juice J! Water is an excellent natural coolant for your body and will help regulate its internal temperature to prevent you from over-heating. Make sure to strive to hit at least 8 cups of water throughout the day.

Also, don’t forget to stop into the Dining Unit or Markets to grab a little something to nosh on so you can be fueled up for the festivities on the field! Remember though, all of the Dining Units & Markets will be closing at 8:00 PM tonight, so be sure to grab your late night eats early on.

Standard operating hours resume tomorrow, which can be viewed here: http://hdh.ucsd.edu/DiningMenus/

Have a safe and happy Sun God Festival Guys!

National Allergy Awareness Month

Every 3 minutes a food allergy reaction sends someone to the ER, with symptoms ranging from a mild response to anaphylaxis, an extremely severe and sometimes fatal reaction.

In order to promote allergen awareness here on campus, Dining Services is hosting a special event with yours truly this Thursday, May 8^th, from 11am-1pm on Revelle Plaza. Join us to discuss what UC San Diego can offer you in terms of special dining features if you are one of the more than 15 million Americans who suffer from a food allergy. You are not alone and WE (Dining Services) have the resources to help you get a nutritious and delicious meal that suits your dietary needs.

Plus, check out the latest products available to you in our Markets that are allergen friendly while munching on samples from some of the hottest vendors (Calbee Harvest Snaps, Enjoy Life Foods & Barefruit Snacks).

Learn more about a particular topic by emailing me at tastebuds@ucsd.edu or follow HDH on twitter & check Facebook for upcoming events featuring the Taste Buds!

Medically Necessitated Diets (+playlist)

Chocolate Extravaganza... Count me in!

Did you know tomorrow (May 2^nd) mark’s 6^th College’s 10^th annual Chocolate Festival?! The event began in 2004 and has delighted students and staff ever since.  Three enormous chocolate fountains arriving from the local Chocolate Monkey Company will fill 6^th College’s quad with an array of cookies, cakes and fresh fruits to enjoy & dip into the chocolate goodness!

Why is your RD promoting chocolate? If you haven’t heard, chocolate boasts a variety of health benefits.  In particular, dark chocolate has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease due to its naturally occurring flavanol content. Bottom line, there is some truth to the saying “a piece of dark chocolate a day may keep the doctor at bay!”

Why else should you check out 6^th College tomorrow? Well, besides indulging in a deliciously “healthy” chocolatey treat, you will be able to increase your physical activity by participating in games with your peers! Out on the Res Hall Quad there will be inflatables, game booths, and this year they are incorporating a “Pie Your Professor” element.  Students have the opportunity to donate cans to pie their professor. 

Not a fan of chocolate? Don't worry! Foodworx and 6th Market are right next door to provide you with a selection of delicious eats to satisfy your craving.

Be sure to post your pictures from tomorrows event on the TasteBud Facebook page and leave a comment here of your favorite chocolate indulgence. Remember, balance and moderation are key to healthy living in college, so enjoy a dollop of chocolate guilt-free!