Highlands Sports Complex WELL
Consumption of fruits and vegetables is a key component of a healthy dietary pattern for the prevention of chronic disease. However, most individuals around the world do not meet the daily recommended five servings (400 g). The World Health Organization estimated that 5.2 million deaths worldwide were attributable to low fruit and vegetable consumption in 2013. 14% of gastrointestinal cancer deaths, 11% of ischemic heart disease deaths and 9% of stroke deaths globally are also attributable to insufficient fruit and vegetable intake. Greater consumption of fruits and vegetables is associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes, stroke and certain types of cancers as well as improved weight management. Additionally, eating a variety of fruits and vegetables helps ensure adequate nutrient, micronutrient and dietary fiber intake. Increasing the availability and access of fruits and vegetables can support fruit and vegetable consumption.
Because Highlands Sports Center sees the connection between nourishment and human performance, the follow options are always available to our employees and visitors. In order to promote healthy food choices at the onsite café Highlands Sports Complex management will provide at least four varieties of fruit options and at least four varieties of vegetable options for purchase. The options will be visible to customer and employees alike with placement of these options on countertops and other visible surfaces in the café.
Nutritional information panels and nutrition facts labels are often found on prepackaged foods and beverages. These provide consumers with useful nutrient, ingredient and allergen information that can be used to guide food choices and daily intake. However, the same level of nutritional transparency does not exist for foods at restaurants, vending machine items and a variety of food retail establishments. Transparency is especially important for the millions of individuals with food allergies who must navigate many issues when dining away from home. Evidence is inconsistent as to whether calorie labeling reduces calories purchased or calories consumed, but the increased transparency has led to the introduction of lower-calorie items in restaurants and other establishments. Research also suggests that calorie labeling, and similar health labeling interventions may serve as important sources of nutritional information for consumers and are associated with healthier food choices and increased calories information awareness. Nutritional transparency can help individuals make informed food choices that support a healthy diet and increase nutrition awareness.
Nutritional information is displayed on menus include:
Total calories, macronutrient content (total protein, total fat, and total carbohydrate) in weight and/or as a percent of estimated daily requirements, and total sugar content.
Non-packaged and beverages sold or provided onsite includes:’
Listing of primary ingredients at point-of-decision on packaging or menus, and common food allergens are clearly labeled at point-of-decision.
High Sugar Content or Partially Hydrogenated Oils Labeling
All foods and beverages sold or provided are labeled at point-of-decision to indicate beverages that contain more than 25 grams of sugar per container, non-beverage food that contain more than 25 grams of sugar per serving, and foods and beverages that contain partially hydrogenated oils.
These levels of the water contaminants are reported in the local municipal water quality report, are submitted annually to WELL.
Billions of dollars are spent annually on food marketing and advertising around the world to overwhelmingly promote highly processed products including sugar-sweetened beverages, breakfast cereals and fast foods.[42] In addition to advertisements, the availability, placement and visibility of foods and beverages in the immediate food environment have the power to influence our food choices and ultimately our health. Fortunately, food environment interventions can guide the selection of healthier items without limiting perceived freedom of choice through nudging strategies and other invisible modifications. Creating food environments where the healthiest food choice is the easiest food choice can help improve the diet quality and health of individuals.
For foods sold or provided at Highlands Sports Complex:
Nutritional menu item choices are based on dietary, scientific, and medical evidence.
On menus and menu boards, healthy menu items are presented:
Using appealing descriptions.
Using visually highlighted through icons, different colors or bolding.
In prominent areas of the menu.
Eating behaviors are influenced by a variety of factors, including physiological and environmental. Eating alone and distracted eating have become emerging social concerns in modern life and are associated with a variety of social and health outcomes. Studies have found that people who tend to eat alone may be more likely to choose unhealthier foods, eat fewer fruits and vegetables and eat at irregular times. Eating alone may also be a potential risk factor for metabolic syndrome, a group of risk factors that increase the risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes. There is also some evidence to indicate that distracted eating while working, reading, watching television or listening to music is associated with higher food intake both immediately and later on. Fortunately, eating attentively and placing focus on the process of eating may lead to better control of food intake, and a positive relationship exists between mindful eating and mental well-being. Providing dedicated eating spaces and dedicated meal breaks can allow individuals to consume meals together and away from their workstations and encourage mindful eating.
Highlands Sports Complex has a designated eating space for our occupants that:
The combined seating space accommodates at least 25% of regular building occupants at peak and is in a climate-controlled space.
Highlands Sports Complex provides for full time employees a daily lunch period of at least 30 minutes and provides an opportunity for those employees to eat away from their workstation.
Individuals with food allergies, intolerances or dietary restrictions may encounter difficulty in finding suitable meal options outside of the home setting. The World Allergy Organization reports that the prevalence of food allergies is increasing in countries around the world. Additionally, a growing number of individuals are omitting certain ingredients or following special diets for a variety of personal, health, social and environmental reasons. Such dietary exclusion or restriction may have nutritional consequences and lead to a nutritionally deficient diet. Dietary guidelines increasingly recognize a variety of healthy eating patterns, such as the Mediterranean-style and vegetarian eating patterns, that can help ensure an individual’s diet is both nutritionally adequate and enjoyable. Accommodating special dietary needs can help ensure equitable food access and support healthy eating patterns for everyone.
Meals, including catered meals, include at least one main course option for each of the following criteria upon request:
Peanut-free, gluten-free, lactose-free, egg-free, containing no animal, seafood or dairy products, and containing no animal or seafood products, except for eggs and dairy.
In our commercial kitchen we provide a protocol that assures:
Hands are washed and gloves changed between preparing different menu items.
All surfaces are cleaned (with warm water and soap) or sanitized between preparing different menu items.
Clean kitchen tools and appliances (washed with warm water and soap) are used for food preparation.
Meals are prepared on top of barriers (e.g., cutting boards, foil, parchment paper).
Dietary patterns around the world are influenced by a complex mixture of personal, cultural and environmental factors, including the local food environment. The local food environment encompasses the type and density of food retail outlets, including grocery stores and food service outlets, and the consistent availability of healthy, wholesome foods at these venues. However, certain environments have the potential to be more obesogenic than others, promoting weight gain and possibly contributing to obesity. In particular, the presence of smaller grocery stores and fast food establishments influences food choices and is associated with a higher prevalence of obesity. Local food environments with accessible and affordable healthy choices can help support individual dietary behaviors and reduce diet-related chronic disease.
Highlands Sports Complex is partnering with Grow Ohio Valley, a local organization that provides collaboration with local farmers, food vendors, and other to provide educational programming and robust farmers’ markets. The partnership with Grow Ohio Valley will assure that there will be a farmer’s market on the grounds of our facilities from May until September at least once a week.