Just in time for back-to-school, SMU Dining will launch Healthy for Life, an initiative supporting a healthier lifestyle by integrating healthy food choices, nutrition education and wellness programs.

The Healthy for Life menu features lower calories, lower fat, whole grain and vegetarian or vegan choices, as well as, programs and events designed to help students establish and maintain healthy habits.

“Students are thinking differently about their menu choices and are actively seeking information about how nutrition impacts their health,” SMU Dining’s dietitian Lauren Hickman said in a press release. “Healthy for Life helps students gain a better understanding of food, and empowers them to make the choices that will ultimately help them live healthier lives.”

The new initiative includes the CampusDish Nutrition Smartphone App, where students can search menus by location and nutrition, a digital wellness center, located in Umphrey Lee, where students can find all information on wellness and nutrition, a new menu labeling system with icons that indicate nutrition levels and special events and promotions such as, on-site health fairs and wellness workshops.

You might be asking yourself, “How is the Healthy for Life menu going to be any different from the options offered already in the gluten-free line or the vegetarian line?” Well, Jennifer Chang, marketing manager for SMU Dining, said that this new initiative is in conjunction with the vegetarian and gluten-free line.

“Healthy for Life truly represents a comprehensive activation of our ongoing commitment to create healthier environments, build healthier communities and deliver healthier outcomes to all of our constituencies on campus,”
Chang said.

Students can expect dishes like Curry Shrimp, Chicken Thai Lettuce Wraps, Korean Pork Skewers with Slaw and Chicken Saffron, just to name a few.

And if this is not your style, don’t worry. “SMU Dining will continue to serve the menus that everyone loves,” Chang said.