How to eat healthy at UC San Diego

     Hi there UC San Diego! Congratulations on surviving your first official week back in the grind of the academic year.  I know how tough it can be to get adjusted after a long summer off, but rest assured these next 9 weeks will fly by in the blink of an eye.

    Before we get to far along into the fall quarter, I thought this would be the perfect time to address a big topic that definitely comes across the email inquries quite frequently, and that is "how to eat healthy while dining in college". Hopefully by now you have been able to get out and use the Dining Passport to try some of the delicious choices offered throughout campus; pizza, tacos, waffles, burritos, burgers, sandwiches, gyros, the list could go on and on.

    Although these are definitely delicious choices, some items may be higher in nutrients than you need to maintain a healthy weight. So the question then remains how does a college student indulge while avoiding gaining the freshman 15? Bring on the Taste Buds!

    Throughout campus all the HDH Dining Services operations offer a Taste Bud Approved menu choice that is not only nutritious but delicious! Dining's Executive Chef Vargus and myself, your HDH Registered Dietitian, have come up with a arsenal of menu choices that have the perfect balance of calories, fat, sodium, protein and fiber to keep your engines running while you conquer your days activities!

    Here's the list of what criteria Taste Bud Approved menu choices must meet:

       So, how can you identify these menu choices? Well, just take out that mobile phone and check out the UCSD Dining App. All location menus are available for you to view to see what options have the Taste Bud Approved logo (shown below) next to them.

 

       Can't seem to find what your looking for? Check out the "I'm craving" feature on the mobile app, or feel free to email me directly at tastebuds@ucsd.edu and I would be happy to help you navigate your nutrition in our units!

Welcome Back UC San Diego!

Hi there UC San Diego! It's Liz Shaw, your Registered Dietitian here at HDH.  I hope you had a fabulous summer and were able to find time for some R&R. As you are slowly getting back in the swing of things, I wanted to share with you a NEW program Dining Services is offering to get you out and about, exploring all the UNIQUE EATS UC San Diego has to offer.

Enter... HDH's Passport Program! If you didn't snag a Passport during move-in, be sure to checkout the HDH Facebook page and download your Passport today. 

HDH's Dining Passport Video Clip *Click Here!

This program is designed to help you explore the 17+ dining locations all over campus. Plus, just by going out and trying a delicious meal, using your Dining Dollars of course, you are eligible to win a variety of different prizes, like Bistro & Roots Gift Cards, Market Bundle Packages, and much more!

To enter, simply complete the Passport by getting stamped at 8 locations throughout campus by asking at the register to have your Passport stamped! Once you have the card complete, simply take a photo and upload to the UCSD Housing and Dining Facebook page. Once your Passport has been submitted, I will contact you to arrange a time to claim your prize! Easy peazy!

New to campus and not sure where to dine? No worries, use the map here (http://hdh.ucsd.edu/DiningMenus/) to help navigate your way to a Wacky Waffle over at Canyon Vista or head to Oceanview Terrace for a delicious crepe!

 

Banana Fosters Crepe @ OVT

 

Feeling adventurous and want a big WOW, then be sure to check out Revelle's newest hidden gem, 64*!!! The surprises over there are endless!

Here's to a great year UC San Diego, let's make it a memorable one!

Interested in learning more about a particular topic or becoming a MyPlate Ambassador? Email me at tastebuds@ucsd.edu or Facebook me at UCSD TasteBuds, I'd love to hear from you.

Bon Voyage Spring.... Hello Summer

Phew! You officially made it through your 2013-2014 academic year. Job well done.

Now that spring quarter is behind you, it’s time to focus on taking some well-deserved R&R.

 

For those of you returning for summer school, be sure to check out our dining hours page to see which locations are open nearest your classes to grab a bite to eat. http://hdh.ucsd.edu/DiningMenus/hours.aspx

If you're interested in healthy meal planning during the summer months, feel free to shoot me an email or request an appointment (https://hdh.ucsd.edu/tastebuds/meettheRD/). I would be happy to meet with you and help you with this process.

Have a wonderful summer.  See you in the fall!  

Watermelon Drop 2014: Celebrating 50 years!

Looking for something to do tomorrow around noon? Well, head over to Revelle and be a part of the 50^th annual watermelon drop!

The watermelon drop began in 1965 when students were asked on a physics exam to find the terminal velocity of an object.  Enter… the watermelon!  Students measured the distance the watermelon pieces traveled from the center point of the splat -- talk about hands on learning!

Though tomorrow will be filled with the demise of one watermelon, there is plenty of this fabulous fresh fruit to go around for onlookers.  Be sure to stop by and grab a sample of this nutrient powerhouse.

Watermelon is an excellent source of lycopene, an important phytonutrient that promotes cardiovascular and bone health. The longer you allow your watermelon to ripen (aka the pinker it gets), the higher the lycopene content. So, let that watermelon age a few days on the counter before cutting into it.

Don’t worry if you can’t make it out to the event to grab a slice. Dining Services has watermelon available morning, noon and night in the Units and Markets, precut for added convenience.

Best of luck this weekend as your continue your studying for finals! Be sure to stop into the De-Stress Brunch at the Dining Unit closest to you this Sunday, June 8^th from 10am-2pm, to relax your mind and enjoy a chocolaty treat with your friends.

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!

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!