App helps Penn State students make healthy choices

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Eggplant parmesan, Korean barbecue tacos, chicken cacciatore or teriyaki vegetable stir-fry? With these kinds of options, what to eat for dinner is inevitably on the minds of many Penn State students.

As the newest batch of freshmen accustom themselves to the ins and outs of college life, they're also likely discovering the feast-like spread of food choices on the menus at Penn State's dining commons and the wonder of their all-you-care-to-eat meal plans.

With approximately 500 breakfast, lunch, dinner, late night, snack, side and dessert options offered at University Park's five dining hall locations throughout the semester, choosing what and where to eat — and healthfully — can be overwhelming.  

But, thanks to the University's Dining@PSU app that connects students with two week's worth of daily menus, nutrition information, a food log and a calorie-counting tool, making smart food choices and planning ahead is easy.

Available on Apple and Android mobile devices, the app, which has been downloaded nearly 20,250 times since its Apple release in 2012, is a one-stop resource for eatery news, GPS maps and hours for the dining halls at 12 Penn State campuses.

"We created the app to help students make healthy choices and to be transparent about what is in the food we serve," said Anne Davis, a project manager in Auxiliary and Business Services, and whose marketing team helped develop the app.

The Android version, released last year, not only features complete nutrition information for the day's food selections but also offers new designations for vegan, meatless and low-calorie choices. The Apple version of the app will add nutrition and dietary labels to its portfolio this month. In the future, the team also hopes to incorporate gluten-free and other allergy indicators.