Happy Halloween UC San Diego

I know, I know; you’re adults and over the whole Halloween thing… right? Well, I for one am a child still at heart and love any holiday where you get an excuse to eat candy all day!!!

While “all day” may be stretching it a little, my point is you can surely find the right balance of treating yourself to a Halloween delight without breaking your nutrition bank for the day.

For instance, our Markets across campus are filled with satisfyingly sweet snacks that are not only delicious but nutritious. Check out my finds of the latest Taste Bud Approved sweet treats to pick up at your neighborhood Market this weekend.

Luna Bars are labeled as the nutrition bar for women, but they really are just a stellar nutrient packed snack that males and females alike can enjoy.  These are my top three flavors and are a great alternative to a candy bar between classes.

 

 

Maybe you prefer a little more salty than sweet? Well then my friends, you have to check out Annie’s Sweet & Salty popcorn mix, Back to Nature’s Sweet Potato Cinnamon Crackers or Somersaults Cinnamon Nuggets. With just the right balance of salty and sweet, you’ll satisfy that craving while getting a bit of fiber in at the same time!

  

 

For those of you who just can’t shake the craving for a decadent dessert, then opt for a Spooky Sprinkled Donut! These guys are a better option than the Pumpkin Cupcake or Muffin and when paired with a cup of milk actually provide you with a little bit of protein as well. Plus, it’s National Buy a Doughnut Day J.

  

 

Have a safe and healthy Halloween folks!

You asked... we listened!

Dr. Seuss once said, “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” Now… do I have your attention! Read on to find out just how much you have to learn about what’s new and hot in Dining Services!

The beauty of sharing feedback to Dining is that WE LISTEN! We are here to serve you and want you to know that our ultimate goal is to provide an exciting, meaningful dining experience for your college years. Yes, we want you to be well fed and nourished, but we also strive to bring you unique dishes and concepts that are not found in other universities. (Heck, that’s what made us #19 in the nation’s top college foodservice survey!).

But, we also want to make sure your happy and feel excited when you walk into our restaurants, confident you can find something that makes you feel comforted and satisfied.  So, without further ado, check out some recent updates to Dining at some of our locations!

Café Ventanas:

·         Breakfast Burritos are Back!!!

o   Meat Burrito starts at $4.95 with choice of bacon, sausage or vegetarian sausage

§  Or opt for a Burrito at $3.95 without meat

·         The Grill is Back on Fire!!!

o   Taste Bud Approved Herbed Chicken Sandwiches on 100% Whole Grain Rolls

o   Classic Cheeseburger and French Fries

o   Chicken Fritters

o   Gardein Vegan Burgers & Morningstar Chipotle Black Bean Burgers

Canyon Vista

·         Canyon Noodles

o   Check out the Pho broth and add in some tofu! A stellar VT option.

·         Soup & Salad

o   Try one of our daily standard VT soups, like the Black Bean & Corn Variety. (It’s also gluten-friendly too!)

o   Or toss some egg and sunflower seeds on a nice bed of mixed greens, a perfect pact of protein and healthy fats!

·         Mediterranean Platform

o   The Heart Healthy Hummus platter will surely leave you meeting your fiber intake for the day! Plus it’s paired with delicious Baba Ganoush & Pita Chips.

64 Degrees

·         Vertically Crafted Deli

o   Try your sandwich wrapped in Lavash or on a 100% Whole Wheat Bun!

·         Burger Lounge

o   Gardein Burger and Chicken Breast Sandwiches are served daily and taste amazing on the 100% Whole Wheat or Brioche Buns!

Though we always offer a vegetarian and “Taste Bud Approved” item on our menus, they may not have been identified clear enough and we apologize for that. If you ever have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Tastebuds@ucsd.edu. We’d love to hear from you!!!

Also, be sure to check out the units special FOOD DAY offering tomorrow! Café Ventanas, Oceanview Terrace, Canyon Vista, 64 Degrees and Pines will be featuring a Potato Mushroom Lasagna, featuring our local San Diego Soy Dairy Tofu and Daugherty Farm Mushrooms alongside Suzie’s Farm Baby Spinach and Rainbow Chard. Enjoy the entrée and be entered to win by submitting your photo to the HDH Facebook Page.

Crepes & Music at Oceanview Terrace!

    Looking for something to do tonight? Well, be sure to head on over to Marshall College and checkout UNLPUGGED at Oceanview Terrace. It's the hottest place Thursday's on campus and is a great place to kick back and relax with your friends...for FREE!

   Be sure to arrive early so you can check out and indulge in one of OVT's newest additions to their stellar menu, crepes!

    From 4-8PM, OVT features a crepe station that will leave you completely satisfied.  If you need a little something salty after your sweet delight, stick around and nosh on some wings as you listen to the beautiful voices that surround us here at UC San Diego. 

  Don't forget too the Passport Program is still running strong! Be sure to get your Passport stamped at OVT and submit via the UCSD Housing and Dining Facebook Page to be eligible to claim your prize.

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.