Travelling Dietitian Leaves Her Mark in New York April 18, 2012 Life on Campus- New York, Stop 1: USA 5 Comments As I had mentioned a couple of months ago, I signed on with Sodexo USA who are the catering company responsible for the dining halls and retail shops here at the RPI campus. I felt I wanted to leave my mark on this school and hopefully assist the future students in living a healthier life. One of my main goals was to try and provide suggestions for change that the company would find reasonable and that the students wouldn’t totally reject (after being used to the huge array of fast food style items being available on the menu). I wanted to shift them towards making healthier choices by having more healthy options, and also emphasised the use of low glycemic index carbohydrates, lean protein and healthier fats to assist with concentration and mood elevation among the students. I am very pleased to say that after my final meeting today with the head chef, Sodexo has agreed to making a number of brilliant changes and modifications that will see more healthy options being served to the students, as well as education around portion sizes, and creating a more balanced plate being promoted. Here are just a few of the key additions to the menu that the students can expect to see in the coming months: Switched white short grain rice dishes over to wild rice and long grain brown rice. Having a pasta bar where there is a variety of lean protein sources (vegetarian included), whole meal pasta and low fat or vegetable based sauces that can be made up on the spot for the students. Natural greek style yoghurt and cut up fresh fruit offered at each meal for dessert. Baked, grilled or steamed fish at least once a week. More wholegrain varieties of breads, english muffins and bagels. Increased protein sources at breakfast e.g. more varieties of eggs, bean mixes, cottage cheese and natural peanut butter. More low glycemic index products instead of high GI grains e.g. quinoa, freekah, legumes, lentils and sweet potato. There was an array of other changes that will be made, the above are just a few to highlight the success of the mission I was on. It appears they were so happy with the outcomes that should I be interested in linking up with other colleges (if I stay in the USA a bit longer…) they are happy to recommend my services. I may just have a few more colleges to overhaul up my sleeve! (Jamie Oliver meet your match? …Maybe thats taking it a bit far, who knows!) Anyway just a quick note given I hadn’t written too much from the dietary side over the last few weeks. Down to NYC again this weekend for some more adventures so will be sure to write a post next week on all the excitement! Until then, The Travelling Dietitian x Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Related 5 Responses Heidi - Apples Under My Bed April 20, 2012 This is fantastic, karz!! Well done. The food looks great. Question, have you been able to find many nut butters that don’t use palm oil? When in the states I had a quick look & bought some nut butters (as the variety is soooo good!) but most use palm oil. I’m obsessed with nut butters, clearly. Heidi xo Log in to Reply Travelling Dietitian April 20, 2012 Thanks Heids! I haven’t gone looking in depth at the nut butters given I have been eating on campus most of the time. I have seen a lot of varieties at the stores though when I have strolled though. I know you love your nut butter! I can have a look for you this weekend in wholefoods if you like 🙂 Log in to Reply Heidi - Apples Under My Bed April 23, 2012 you’re a star, thanks Karz. Again, so impressed with what you’ve done. Great job, missy xo Travelling Dietitian April 23, 2012 Thanks Heidi! Appreciate the kind words and support. Just trying my best to leave a little Aussie mark on the American food system 🙂 Kimberly Kirby Buchholz June 3, 2013 Hello to Heidi – Apples Under My Bed…Have you tried Justin’s Maple Almond Butter? (I found this at Target in USA) I don’t work with a food company–I just like this. Plus, I believe it really does contain maple syrup (not a whole lot), and I’d rather eat the sucrose from maple syrup instead of the fructose from other sweeteners. Seems like a small amount of sucrose is much easier to tolerate than some of the monosaccharides. If you try it, I’d enjoy your comments. Log in to Reply Leave a Reply Cancel ReplyYou must be logged in to post a comment.
Heidi - Apples Under My Bed April 20, 2012 This is fantastic, karz!! Well done. The food looks great. Question, have you been able to find many nut butters that don’t use palm oil? When in the states I had a quick look & bought some nut butters (as the variety is soooo good!) but most use palm oil. I’m obsessed with nut butters, clearly. Heidi xo Log in to Reply
Travelling Dietitian April 20, 2012 Thanks Heids! I haven’t gone looking in depth at the nut butters given I have been eating on campus most of the time. I have seen a lot of varieties at the stores though when I have strolled though. I know you love your nut butter! I can have a look for you this weekend in wholefoods if you like 🙂 Log in to Reply
Heidi - Apples Under My Bed April 23, 2012 you’re a star, thanks Karz. Again, so impressed with what you’ve done. Great job, missy xo
Travelling Dietitian April 23, 2012 Thanks Heidi! Appreciate the kind words and support. Just trying my best to leave a little Aussie mark on the American food system 🙂
Kimberly Kirby Buchholz June 3, 2013 Hello to Heidi – Apples Under My Bed…Have you tried Justin’s Maple Almond Butter? (I found this at Target in USA) I don’t work with a food company–I just like this. Plus, I believe it really does contain maple syrup (not a whole lot), and I’d rather eat the sucrose from maple syrup instead of the fructose from other sweeteners. Seems like a small amount of sucrose is much easier to tolerate than some of the monosaccharides. If you try it, I’d enjoy your comments. Log in to Reply
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