New Healthy On-Campus Dining Options

On-campus dining has never looked so good with the new healthy options now being offered.

Trans-fat free frying oil

Last semester SDSU Dining Services made the switch to trans-fat free frying oil. The new frying oil, Mel-Fry Free™ oil, is made from canola oil, bears no taste and does not transfer flavor from one fried food item to another – a unique frying oil quality.

Trans fats in their natural state are found in some dairy and meat products, but are more commonly consumed from eating hydrogenated oil-containing products. As reported by the American Heart Association, evidence suggests that eating trans fats increases the risk of developing coronary heart disease.

Used frying oil is recycled

SDSU’s used frying oil is sent to New Leaf Biofuel™, a San Diego-based company that collects used cooking oil from participating local restaurants. The company is able to recycle the oil and turn it into an alternative fuel source: biodiesel.

Trans-fat free food coming soon to a Starbucks near you.

Starbucks™ has asked SDSU Dining Services to serve all trans-fat free food and beverage items in its two SDSU store locations by April 2007. “Since all of our Starbucks baked good items are made on site on campus – which is rare – we need to reengineer the recipes to meet trans-fat free guidelines,” said Paul Melchior, associate director of SDSU Dining Services. “For example, croissants are typically made with a butter-margarine blend, but we need to eliminate margarine to make it a trans-fat free item. We’re in the process of transforming many recipes.”

Easy to spot health food options

Alongside the implementation of trans-fat free frying oil, SDSU Dining Services introduced the “Healthy Options” logo throughout quick-service restaurants on campus. The new logo identifies those food items that are lower in fat or fat-free, higher in fiber, have fewer carbohydrates, contain more fresh fruit and/or vegetables, meatless, baked or grilled.

Also introduced was the “Stoplight Menu” in The Dining Room at Cuicacalli Suites. Food items under the green light, signaling ‘Healthy Choice,’ are items that you can eat more of, for example vegetables and fruits. Items highlighted in yellow, such as breads and pastas, are ‘OK in moderation’; and those items highlighted in red, such as dessert items, should be ‘Limited.’