A Spoonful of Added Sugar
Nutrition, Spotlight Program
If you’re paying attention to headlines about nutrition, you’ve probably heard the buzz about added sugar. For the first time, the 2015 USDA Dietary Guidelines recommend limiting added sugars (not to be confused with natural sugars) to less than 10% of the calories in your diet. For the average adult consuming roughly 2,000 calories a day, that’s no more than 200 calories—about 12 teaspoons, or 50 grams, of added sugar. That’s three percent less than the average American consumes...
The Makings of a SAGE Menu
Nutrition, Menu Builder, Spotlight Program
SAGE Dining Services® has been promoting healthy eating habits since its beginning in 1990. We know that nutrition has a big impact on our students’ academic performance, attendance, athletic performance, and long-term health. That’s why we put such care into making sure every menu is delicious, nutritious, and diverse—no small feat. Every menu is composed of a variety of from-scratch recipes. Each recipe begins as an idea in a SAGE Chef’s head. It’s then submitted and tested in our kitchens...
One-on-One with a SAGE Dietitian
Nutrition, Allergies, SAGE Community, One-on-One
Lesley Vogel is the Director of Nutrition at SAGE Dining Services®. To celebrate Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day, I stole a few moments with her during a busy day of meeting with her team of Registered Dietitians, reviewing menu plans, and answering Managers' questions about allergens, ingredients, and recipes—read on to learn more! So, Lesley... what's the coolest part of your job? There's never a dull moment! I just got back from speaking about how to accommodate for food allergies as...
National Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2016
Nutrition, Educational Seasonings, Spotlight Program, Eating Disorders
Sunday, February 21st kicks off National Eating Disorders Awareness Week. This year's campaign stresses early detection and intervention, a key focus in all SAGE communities. According to the National Eating Disorders Association, over 30 million Americans will struggle with an eating disorder—and many begin that struggle young. Children as young as seven have been diagnosed with eating disorders. While genetic predisposition is a factor in the development of eating disorders, environmental cues also make a huge impact—in combination with stressors...
How Sweet It Is
Nutrition
Our love affair with chocolate goes all the way back to the Aztecs, who paid their taxes with cocoa beans. During the Revolutionary War, cocoa was such a prized ration that the Continental Congress imposed price controls. Today, chocolate is still a hot commodity, and we have many more choices than the simple cocoa and water our ancestors enjoyed. Here's a brief “chocolate dictionary” to help you figure it all out: Chocolate for Baking Hint: When deciding which chocolate to...
New Dietary Guidelines for Americans
Nutrition, Spotlight Program
The long-awaited 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans have been released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The recommendations, designed to assist Americans in achieving lifelong health, are strikingly similar to the standards we have held at SAGE for more than 25 years. The five basic guidelines: 1. Follow a healthy eating pattern across the lifespan. 2. Focus on variety, nutrient density, and amount. 3. Limit calories from added sugars and saturated fats and reduce sodium intake...
Eliminating Trans Fat
Nutrition, From Our KitchenWhile SAGE believes that all foods fit into a nutritious diet, there is one nutrient out there that doesn't fit. It has no redeeming quality, and it's called trans fat. Trans fat is directly linked to heart disease. It raises levels of bad cholesterol and lowers levels of good cholesterol. This information has led the FDA to propose a ban on trans fats for good. If the decision is approved, partially hydrogenated oils will be phased out of all foods...
Eat What You Can, Can What You Can't
Nutrition, Sustainability, From Our Kitchen, Gardens
Canning fruits and vegetables has made a big comeback. Sales of home canning equipment have surged since 2008, in large part due to a growing interest in eating more healthfully and reviving traditions from a simpler time. Late summer is a great time to take advantage of the bounty of your home garden or your local farmer's market and create some treats that will last through the winter. Canning has become so popular Ball canning jars has partnered with Canning...
About Us
At SAGE Dining Services®, our unparalleled expertise in nutrition, sustainability, and culinary trends produces exceptional dining experiences that delight the senses, inspire minds, and foster community.
