Campus nutrition facts available online

Nutrition information is not available through the dining halls directly, but healthy-minded individuals can find information to make their selections online.

While the information may not be on display in the dining halls, Director of the Chartwells at Whitewater program Ann Wick said the information is available through both dineoncampus.com and mypyramid.gov. The Web sites use the United States Department of Agriculture's database to give foods a nutritional value. The published informations is only an estimate. Sophomore Vinny Daniels said he is displeased the campus doesn't provide nutrition facts with the food.

"There is no information available when you walk into the dining halls or even at the places you order your food," Daniels said.

Sophomore Chelsey Vincent said many students don't know where to find this information. "Most students don't know about the Web sites and the databases available," Vincent said.

With the number of food choices on campus it's not easy to have all of the nutritional information available to students in the dining halls, Wick said.

"There are a lot of variables that contribute to nutritional information," Wick said. "Our menus change frequently, which makes it difficult to have information in the dining halls."

Some students don't like the idea of having to go and search for this nutritional information. "There is not enough information available and in order to find available information you have to do so on your own time," freshman Phil Negri said. "Maybe they could post the nutrition fact in the residence halls."

The Chartwells program provides healthier meals for students by using all trans fat free oil and bakery products on campus.

Many students feel as though the healthy choices are much more limited than the unhealthy ones.

Anna Armbruster, sophomore, echoed the sentiment of many students.

"Part of the problem here is that you get sick of the same healthy choices over and over," she said.

Wick said Chartwells encourages any student to voice his or her opinion on campus dining.

Chartwells wants to encourage students to make healthy choices when it comes to diet.

"We want to help students learn to decide on good eating habits and to make good choices for life," Wick said.

The Chartwells program will be partnering with the Recreational Sports and University Health and Counseling Services to kick off national nutrition month by presenting "Shape Up For Spring" on March 5.

The event will provide students with healthy tips for diet and exercise ideas to get in shape for the coming summer months.

Wick said Chartwells encourages any student to voice his or her opinion on campus dining.

"If you have an idea mention it to the cashier or talk to a manager.," Wick said. "With the amount of people we serve, we need to know and make sure our customers are happy customers."