Great Plate

To promote an overall lifestyle of eating for wellness, Dining Services uses the Great Plate food labeling system in both Harrison and Brockway Dining Halls.

All food items are labeled red, yellow, or green, indicating their general nutrition values. Red items are high in fat and/or calories and low in nutrients, while green items are high in nutrients and low in fat and calories. Yellow items are somewhere in the middle – you get the idea.

Both Harrison and Brockway Dining Halls display an example of a Great Plate at each meal. In addition, Harrison Dining Hall prepares daily Great Plate entrees out of their International Station during dinner.

The Great Plate provides a visual for the ideal meal, comprised primarily of green foods, then yellow, and a small amount of red, emphasizing that it’s all about balance, variety, and moderation. It is designed to help you make informed choices about what and how much you eat. It is not intended to replace the advice of a physician or healthcare professional. Additional nutritional counseling is available at the Student Health Center (585-395-2414).

Nutrition is the science of nourishing the body and the art of giving serious thought to what you're consuming. While your body has an innate ability to sense when you need to eat, it hasn't the slightest idea what you should eat. Good nutrition is first and foremost a lifestyle. Just as lifting weights for the first time won't instantly give you a huge muscular frame, beginning a nutritious eating plan won’t instantly give you vitality and health. Eating a nutritious meal can make you feel happier and healthier, but consistency is the key to achieving lasting results.

The first step is to be aware of the fact that everything you eat and drink affects your life. Once you make a conscious connection (such as "gee, those 10 cookies a day sure are making me gain weight") you can start taking your diet seriously.

The USDA's “Choose My Plate” recommendations in conjunction with our Great Plate food labeling system can help you create nutritionally sound meals.

For more specific nutrition information, click here.