Logo to help students eat healthier

Thursday, August 10, 2006

Students at Oklahoma State University are going to be seeing even more orange this semester in the form of a new logo that’s intended to help them make healthier food choices when dining on campus.

The full-color logo is a graphic of an orange with the words “choose orange” across the front. It’s designed to be used on menus and menu boards throughout the campus.

“We simply want to make the healthiest alternatives easy for students to identify, and that’s where the new logo will be helpful,” said Elizabeth Lohrman, registered dietitian with the Seretean Wellness Center.

Lohrman and student assistants have been analyzing the recipes served on the Stillwater campus to designate the ones that deserve the “choose orange” logo as a healthy food option.

“We used a comprehensive computer analysis program to help, but our basic guideline was to identify food items that have no more than 30% of total calories from fat," she said.

However, there are exceptions to that rule, she said.

“While we want to avoid too much fat, we all need a balanced amount of it and that’s why you will see exceptions to the 30% rule, but they’re healthy exceptions, such as choosing an avocado or a salad with dressing," Lohrman said.

Managers with University Dining Services will use the logo daily on menu boards and elsewhere to designate the healthy foods and dishes served in residence halls as well as the Student Union. Fine dining establishments on campus including Taylor’s and The Ranchers Club will also use the logo.

Signs, stickers, and posters with the “choose orange” logo are planned along with a website (chooseorange.okstate.edu) that will provide nutrition and dietary resources as well as an “Ask the Nutritionist” section that allows students to email questions.

Plans are to extend the “choose orange” campaign to snacks in the vending machines on campus, and presentations are scheduled for freshmen orientation classes, residence halls and other groups. Also look for more information in the "O’Colly."