Replacing Just 4 U, the new Healthy for Life program serves The University of Alabama as the campus’ health and wellness program in dining halls. Healthy for Life is a program introduced to thousands of colleges and universities, workplaces, health care facilities and other locations by ARAMARK, the company that operates Bama Dining.
According to an ARAMARK press release, the program is an “integrated approach to health and wellness that features healthy food choices, nutrition education, and wellness programs that work together to support healthier lifestyles.”
Kelsey Faust, Bama Dining’s marketing manager, said the two Healthy for Life boards installed on campus are at Lakeside Dining Hall and Burke Dining Hall, and they feature brochures on health topics from managing a food allergy to understanding serving sizes.
“Healthy for Life is an awareness program of the healthy items already served on campus,” Faust said. “Each dining hall has a dedicated vegetarian station, a large salad bar with make-your-own salad options and pre-made salads. The deli station offers wheat bread and wraps, pasta offerings include wheat and spinach pasta, grilled meat entrées are offered when fried entrées are offered and much more.”
Faust said Bama Dining makes a special effort to ensure that any student with an alternative or restrictive diet is considered.
“We take feedback from students very seriously, whether it is through social media, surveys, emails or in person,” Faust said. “In fact, just last week we had a student request a special menu item at Lakeside, and this week it was on the menu.”
Nakia Moore, a freshman majoring in international studies, said for religious reasons she “might as well be a pescatarian,” but her diet hasn’t caused any problems for her since she started eating off her meal plan.
“I have found so many options to choose from [at] every dining hall. I now think I’ll have a problem with freshman 15 after all,” Moore said. “I’ve never experienced a moment where I felt left out as a pescatarian or someone of a special diet.”
Faust said students with food allergies can meet with Bama Dining’s Food Service director to create a dining plan that will fit their needs. There is also a vegetarian and vegan brochure available.
Ian Jennings, a freshman majoring in mechanical engineering, said while he appreciates the options at the dining halls, it’s still difficult to have to eat almost every meal there, as freshmen are required to purchase the unlimited meal plan.
“It’s certainly not easy because there’s so much access to unhealthy foods,” Jennings said. “You have to work at it if you want to keep a healthy diet.”
Faust said it is Bama Dining’s goal to expand its offerings and increase healthy eating awareness on campus.
“We find that many students are not aware of the healthy options we already offer on campus and I hope that the Healthy4Life program will be the solution,” Faust said.
