in partnership with
Supporting our
students through stress
Written by Professor David Russell in partnership with
Charlotte Harbour FdSc Nutritional Therapeutics
Much like the definition of wellness, the
theories that promise overall health are
constantly evolving and often subjective.
Here at Russell Partnership Consulting, we
understand that the sector values student
wellness and view health as a key driver
in food and beverage recommendations
– we agree that it is at the very heart.
However, research is continuing to
highlight the elusive contributor that
is stifling the overall wellness of our
students, staff and what seems to be the
vast majority of the globe: stress.
Thought leaders are proclaiming that
stress may be just as, or more important
than what we eat in regards to our longevity
and health outcomes. Stress has even
been dubbed “the most dangerous toxin
in our lives”. Studies demonstrate that
stress changes gene expression (which may
heighten susceptibility disease), lowers the
Combining experience and study
By Matthew White, chair of the University Caterers Organisation (TUCO)
and director of catering, hotel and conferencing at the University of Reading
“You can read books and watch videos
about Vietnamese and Cambodian
food but only going there helps you
truly understand. The inspiration and
knowledge from the tour is priceless,” said
one delegate who attended our Vietnam
and Cambodia study tour in 2018.
Learning first-hand about where
cuisines come from and experiencing
real life cooking demonstrations are key
to the success of our award-winning
TUCO Academy. Our inspirational
study tours and development days aim to
focus on food and drink trends, most of
which have been identified in our Global
Food and Beverage Trends Reports.
One of our latest study tours, to Lisbon,
saw a group of university and college
catering professionals sample authentic
Portuguese lifestyle and cuisine. During
their visit delegates dined in Lisbon’s
downtown, an art deco mansion in busy
Bairro Alto, and traditional pubs and cafes.
16 | www.universitybusiness.co.uk | @UB_UK
immune system and may even speed
up the ageing process. This information
is certainly daunting – so what can
we do to support students and staff in
times of stress?
Fortunately, there are actionable
food related approaches we can
implement to reduce and ease stress
both biologically and psychologically:
1. Include stress-busting foods into
the campus menus that contain key
nutrients to biologically support stress:
● B vitamins - kefir, free-range eggs,
grass-fed beef, oily fish, chicken
and green leafy vegetables
● Calcium and magnesium – oranges,
kefir, yogurt, green leafy vegetables,
salmon, beans and cruciferous vegetables
● Healthy fats and omega-3 fatty
acids - cold-water, wild-caught fish
Upon arrival, delegates experienced
the first of authentic cuisines at Bistro 100
Maneiro. The white-walled restaurant
served painterly plates with Portuguese,
Yugoslavian, Italian and French influences.
Since it opened in 2010, the restaurant
has attracted a growing audience, which
favours taste, discovery and experience.
Born from the original 100 Maneiras,
which was the first in the capital to serve
a tasting menu at a democratic price, its
history and success story are a motive to
experience the award-winning menu.
During the study tour, delegates also
had the opportunity to visit and dine
at Lisbon’s largest market, Mercado da
Ribeira. With stalls trading in fresh fruit,
vegetables, fish and flowers since 1892,
this domed market hall contains 20 to 30
restaurants, which are home to a variety
of meals provided by top Lisbon chefs.
Through our TUCO banner - Learn
– we want to support you and help your
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like salmon or sardines, coconut,
nuts, seeds, avocado and olive oil
2. Create calm, safe and
inviting food spaces:
● Ensuring that the food environment is
suitable for large groups, small gatherings
and individual diners with both open and
closed spaces. Combine quieter and louder
areas for those who want to dine peacefully
and busier areas for those wanting to
socialise and de-stress with friends
Remember that Russell Partnership
Consulting can deliver nutritional
strategies for your University campus.
Get in touch to find out more
www.russellpartnership.com
teams achieve success. From catering and
hospitality professionals to directors of
accommodation and commercial service
and heads of campus services, the TUCO
Academy offers courses to suit various
levels of learning and development.
As I pen this, I am currently on our
Residence Life at California’s Top
Universities study tour. So far, we
have visited universities such as the
California Institute of Technology
and the University of California, Los
Angeles. I highly recommend you book
on to one of our inspirational study tours
or development days. Our next study
tour in London, On Trend - Vegan and
Vegetarian, sold out very quickly.
Don’t miss the chance to book on
to the Bologna Barista Tour in Italy,
taking place on 10th June 2019.
For more information about joining
TUCO, visit www.tuco.ac.uk