Dining Services launches nutrition program

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Barret Furton

Custom nutrition labels provide information designed to help the campus community make healthy food choices.

Living well begins with eating well, so RIT is introducing a new system that helps take the guesswork out of healthy food choices.

Dining Services created Smart Nutrition, a comprehensive nutrition program to educate and assist students, faculty and staff with eating well on campus. The program provides practical information and resources on nutrition, healthy living, and dietary restrictions and preferences.

“RIT Dining Services recognizes and embraces RIT’s diverse campus community members, all with a range of varying dining preferences and needs,” says Patty Spinelli, executive director of Dining Services. “We are dedicated to supporting healthy eating on campus.”

Smart Nutrition incorporates new tools that include custom nutritional labels, educational nutrition sessions, cooking demonstrations and tastings. Daily specials and grab-and-go items available at many RIT dining locations now include labels that highlight caloric, fat, carbohydrate, fiber and protein content, as well as allergen information. In addition, new Smart Seals identify healthy options, dairy-free, gluten-free, low sodium, vegetarian and vegan options.

The Smart Nutrition website serves as a hub of information, including nutritional information and a list of healthy dining option available across campus. Adding to Dining Services’ personalized services is Smart Eating 101, an educational series that showcases healthy eating options through the presentation of food and cooking demonstrations, tastings and exhibits.

Members of the campus community can learn more about Smart Nutrition during an information session from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Jan. 11 in the Student Alumni Union lobby.