Healthy Eating at Harvard

Many of us are mindful of what we eat, but unsure what to believe when the daily news includes conflicting coverage about food and health. There is the USDA Food Pyramid, which, as children, we learned as the model for good eating; however various special interest groups influence it.

Fortunately, at Harvard we have the pre-eminent School of Public Health, which has released the Healthy Eating Pyramid and is what we use as our guiding principle in making menus.

According to HSPH, “When it comes down to it, the best advice on what to eat is relatively straightforward: Eat a plant-based diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains; choose healthy fats, like olive and canola oil; and red meat and unhealthy fats, like saturated and trans fats, sparingly.”
As a complement to the Healthy Eating Pyramid, they summarize “Eight Tips for Eating Right:

• “Choose good carbs, not no carbs. Whole grains are your best bet.
• “Pay attention to the protein package. Fish, poultry, nuts, and beans are the best choices.
• “Choose healthy fats, limit saturated fat, and avoid trans fat. Plant oils, nuts, and fish are the healthiest sources.
• “Choose a fiber-filled diet, rich in whole grains, vegetables, and fruits.
• “Eat more vegetables and fruits. Go for color and variety—dark green, yellow, orange, and red.
• “Calcium is important. But milk isn't the only, or even best, source.
• “Moderate drinking can be healthy—but not for everyone. You must weigh the benefits and risks.
• "A daily multivitamin is a great nutrition insurance policy. Some extra vitamin D may add an extra health boost.”

While the HUDS menu attempts to address most of these tips (sorry, no beer tap is in the works for the beverage station, and we will not be getting a vitamin dispenser), we will never limit your menu choices to just these things. People have a variety of tastes and needs, and I’m the first to admit that cookies play an important role in my life sometimes.

That said, good carbs, lean proteins, healthy fats, no trans fats, and lots of veggies and fruits are available. HSPH declines to specify portions or calories, but notes that moderation is the cornerstone of wellbeing.

Which leads to nutrition information on the menu cards. Many of you have inquired about the decision to remove nutrition information. As you know, HUDS consulted with University Health Services, the Bureau of Study Counsel, and the College, about limiting nutrition data to the kiosks and web. Specifically, we needed to address the challenge a quiet and surprisingly large contingent of our community faces with eating disorders. Those individuals can place an undue emphasis on calories and other literal food values, making their placement over every food item a real challenge. Thus, we did what we felt best addressed the special health needs of those individuals, much as we support people with food allergies or religious dietary preferences.

For those who would like assistance with shaping a healthy approach to food, Harvard does have nutritional counseling available through University Health Services and support groups available with the Bureau of Study Counsel. And as always, we’ll continue to work with individuals who have special dietary needs, be they allergies, religious guidelines, or political preferences such as vegetarianism. And as always, we continue to forge ahead on the sustainability of our menus (See the sustainability report at http://www.dining.harvard.edu/about_HUDS/sustainability.html).

To that end, don’t forget: sign up for the Ward’s Berry Farm trip this Friday. Spots are filling in a hurry, so email crista_martin@harvard.edu to save your spot!