Safe at HOMEBASE
Campus task force promotes healthy eating, healthy lives
The task force HOMEBASE passed out some samples of its Better Bites foods available on campus Tuesday. The group began the Better Bites program in 2000.
Wednesday, November 14th, 2007
Weekends may be full of Wheel pizza and late-night Jimmy John’s orders, but during the week, students can make healthier eating choices through KU Dining Services.
Students on the campus task force HOMEBASE (Healthy Options for Movement, Exercise, Body Acceptance and Savvy Eating) are promoting healthier food choices called Better Bites. To be considered part of Better Bites, food has to be less than 600 calories and 24 grams of fat. Also, milk and cheese have to be low-fat, poultry has to be without the skin and fruit has to be unsweetened.
Members of the HOMEBASE task force, passed out samples of the MegaVega Wrap to customers at the Burge Union on Tuesday. Students also received punch cards, and if they purchase five Better Bites meals, they get the sixth one free along with a free water bottle.
“Being a college students is stressful anyway,” Jessica Melhuse, Chicago junior and member of the HOMEBASE task force, said. “If you eat better, then you feel better about your body, and you will have an overall better self-esteem, which can help you do better all around in every aspect.”
Other items included in the Better Bites are sushi, salad, some of the grab-and-go sandwiches and some of the smoothies.
Sonja Kramer, a Mustang, Okla. law student, said she had noticed the Better Bites logo on some of the sushi items.
“It’s a good program, because it helps us recognize what we’re eating if there aren’t nutrition facts on the side,” Kramer said.
Ann Chapman, coordinator of the task force, said that when the program began in 2000, the task force polled students, and had strong feedback that students wanted these options.
Item Calories Fat (BB=Better Bites)
MegaVega Wrap (BB) 340 calories 7 grams fat
Personal Pan Supreme 710 calories 34 grams fat
Chik-Fil-A Chicken Sandwich 410 calories 16 grams fat
Breadsticks and Marinara 190 calories 6 grams fat
Blueberry Bay Smoothie 376 calories 0 grams fat
Mango Beach Smoothie (BB) 90 calories 0 grams fat
“There are obvious health benefits, but just as important is that students requested this,” Chapman said. “The feedback has been very positive.”
The HOMEBASE task force has also done activities such as the Milk Mustache promotion at the Student Recreation Center to promote drinking milk, and each year they sponsor Celebrate EveryBody Week at the end of March.
“It’s important for students to start eating healthy now,” Melhuse said. “Then it’s easier to continue later in life as their metabolism starts to slow down.”
For information about Better Bites options students can see the Web site at http://union.ku.edu/better.shtml.
— Edited by Luke Morris
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