SAGE Dining Services

For parents whose children don’t have food allergies, it can be hard to understand how stressful it can be, but there are ways to help. Whether you’re hosting a party or making a dish for a potluck, keeping kids safe starts with being aware of what you’re serving. • Teach your kids to share books, toys, and games but not food. • Know what’s in the food you serve. Always check labels and keep track of ingredients, especially nuts. • Be mindful of cross-contact. For example, don’t use the same knife for cutting nut and nut-free items. • Ask about allergies before hosting and offer safe alternatives like quinoa, fruit, vegetables, greens, salsa, or guacamole. • If you bring food to school, provide a detailed ingredient list, especially for baked goods, granola bars, and candy bars, which frequently contain top allergens. • Clearly label foods at buffets, and in your refrigerator, freezer, and pantry during sleepovers. • Be patient if a parent or child is being very particular about food options. You may not be able to accommodate, but you can listen and acknowledge how scary it can be to make food choices. • Admit if you’re unable to provide safe options due to budget, time, or space constraints. Most parents will be glad to provide an alternative and know their kids are safe. • Pay attention to the kids around you. If they exhibit any signs of a reaction, call 911 and get help immediately. A little awareness can go a long way in keeping everyone safe! Your extra care could save a life. #foodallergyawareness #foodallergies #allergenfriendly

It can be difficult to figure out what’s best for our nutrition. That’s why we created the SAGE Spotlight Program® to help guide you toward building nutritionally balanced plates. So, how does it work? Our team of Registered Dietitians carefully evaluates each menu item and assigns it a color based on its nutrient density. Nutrient density is the comparison of nutrients that are recommended we eat more to those recommended we limit. To calculate this, our Dietitians use a formula that’s based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and aligns with Canada’s Dietary Guidelines, considering key nutrients like calcium, potassium, dietary fiber, vitamin D, iron, saturated fat, added sugar, and sodium. When you check out your menu or walk through the serving line in your dining hall, look for the green Spotlights on the food item signs. They’ll help you determine the nutrient density of each item and guide you toward creating a plate that’s balanced and enjoyable. #SettingAGoodExample

Food is often at the center of social gatherings and events, and the best way to celebrate it is by enjoying a favorite meal with your friends and family. What's one of your favorite family recipes? #AllFoodsFit

Our goal is to foster positive relationships with food by embracing variety and celebrating the many ways food enriches our lives: physically, mentally, emotionally, socially, and culturally. Our nutrition philosophy, All Foods Fit, is built around the idea that there are no “good” or “bad” foods. We eat for many reasons, and each one is important in its own way. Food isn’t just fuel for our bodies; it’s a way to explore new cultures, enjoy time together, and make lasting memories. We believe all foods deserve a place on your plate, and today, we’re highlighting some of the key reasons we eat. Fuel: Food nourishes and energizes us. It helps us perform at our best and recover quickly when we get sick or injured. Whether you’re a student-athlete, a musician, or a scholar, food is your essential fuel for success! Culture: Food connects us to our roots and teaches us about other cultures. From traditional family recipes to authentic dishes from around the world, food carries stories from one generation to the next. What’s a dish that’s meaningful to you or your family? Exploration: Trying new foods is one of the easiest ways to expand our horizons! Step out of your comfort zone and experiment with new flavors, ingredients, and cuisines. You never know what you might discover! Togetherness: Food brings people together. Whether it’s a family dinner, a celebration, or a casual meal with friends, sharing food creates connection and memories. Enjoyment: Let’s not forget that food is fun! We eat not just because we have to, but because we enjoy it. It adds flavor to our lives, makes celebrations special, and brings us joy. Food isn’t just about nutrition; it impacts our entire well-being, from our physical health to our emotional and cultural connections. That’s why we proudly stand by our All Foods Fit philosophy, honoring the important role food plays in our everyday lives. #AllFoodsFit

RECIPE! National Hispanic Heritage Month is a dedicated time to celebrate the culture, contributions, and influence of Hispanic Americans on the history and culture of the United States. Tantalize your taste buds with the spicy and vibrant flavor of these Coffee-Braised Beef #Tacos with Mango Jicama Relish! #beeftacos Servings: 12 tacos Ingredients: 2 ⅓ pounds beef chuck roast 2 ½ tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder 1 tablespoon ancho chile powder 1 tablespoon kosher salt 1 tablespoon brown sugar 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 onion, halved 2 ⅓ cups coffee 1 mango, finely diced 1 cup jicama, peeled and finely diced ½ cup red onion, peeled and finely diced 1 poblano pepper, seeded and finely diced 3 tablespoons cilantro, minced 2 tablespoons lime juice 2 tablespoons honey 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 12 corn taco shells Preparation for Beef: 1. Cut beef in half. 2. Preheat grill on high. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). 3. In a bowl, combine the cocoa powder, chile powder, salt, brown sugar, and ground cumin; mix well. 4. Evenly coat the beef with the cocoa powder mixture. 5. Place the beef on the grill to set the crust. If you don’t have a grill, sear the beef in a pan on high heat. Grill or sear on each side for two minutes; the beef will look dark. 6. Place the beef in a deep pan with a snug fit. Add the split onion and coffee. Cover and place in the oven for 4-5 hours or until it’s fork tender and falling apart. 7. Remove the beef and onions from the liquid and discard liquid. Course chop the beef and cooked onions and mix. Keep the beef warm or properly cool until ready to use. Preparation for Mango Jicama Relish: 1. In a bowl, combine the mango, jicama, red onion, poblano pepper, cilantro, lime juice, and honey; mix well. Serving: 1. Heat a skillet on high and add vegetable oil. Sauté the beef until lightly crisp. Place the beef in each taco shell, top with relish, and serve. #HispanicHeritageMonth #recipes #Latinfood #Hispanicfood #SAGEathome

INTERNATIONAL CUISINE: Vietnamese cuisine is all about fresh ingredients and communal dining. Balanced flavors of sweet, salty, sour, and spicy define Vietnamese dishes, often enhanced with nuoc mam (fermented fish sauce). The Vietnamese use a number of additional spices and seasonings, most prominently: basil, ginger, cilantro, coconut milk, galangal, garlic, hot chiles, lemongrass, lime, mint, and rice vinegar. A typical Vietnamese meal includes many raw vegetables at the table, as well as fresh herbs as a self-serve accompaniment. It’s traditional to serve several shared dishes, rather than plating individual helpings, and chopsticks are the primary utensils. Chilled green tea and jasmine tea are often served alongside meals, and iced milk coffee is very popular. On special occasions, families may serve lotus blossom tea and homemade rice wine. Enjoy a taste of Vietnam and let your palate explore this culinary paradise! #Vietnamesefood #Vietnamesecuisine

Strong social connections increase overall well-being. SAGE fosters an inclusive environment because satisfied students are better learners, stronger athletes, and more creative artists. We offer menu variety, so everyone can find something nutritious to please their palate, meet dietary needs, and fuel positive time together. Inclusive dining is our standard. #SettingAGoodExample

Shoutout to all of our Team Members who make the SAGE magic happen everyday! We appreciate your hard work and dedication to your industry, your community, and SAGE! We can't possibly show all your photos here, but we do see you! 😍 Happy National Food Service Workers Day!!

Performance Spotlight, our nutrition guidance and education program for athletes and active students, highlights three main components essential for fueling and recovery: • Protein: Helps build and repair muscle, regulate metabolism, and support immune health. Consuming protein immediately after exercise shortens recovery periods. • Starches/Grains: Provide carbohydrates, the body’s preferred fuel. Consuming carbs before and during exercise provides energy, prevents low blood sugar, and supports the central nervous system. • Vegetables/Fruit: Offer micronutrients — vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals — that promote general health, contribute to metabolism, and serve as antioxidants. These components come together to build a Performance plate, a pre-activity meal that fuels athletes and active students with easy-to-digest foods. We recommend building Performance plates at lunchtime or three to four hours before activity to ensure the body has time to absorb and distribute nutrients to muscles. Look for Performance picks by finding the runner icon on menus online, in the Touch of SAGE® app, or on signs in the dining hall. To elevate performance, athletes should build their plates daily according to our training and game day recommendations. Fuel up, perform your best, and achieve your goals with SAGE! Read more here: https://ow.ly/1Wtu50TttVE #PerformanceSpotlight #athletics #nutritionforathletes

Today, @sage_at_wesleyan featured local produce from two farms: fresh field peas from Farms 2U and sweet potatoes from Haynes and Sons. #eatlocal #localproduce #farmtofork #haynesandsons #farms2u