Whether they dine at Wilbur, Late Nite or the Axe & Palm, students who want to make healthy eating choices this quarter can sign up for a new, student-initiated course.

HumBio 10SI “Practical Nutrition at Stanford” is an introduction to general nutrition with a focus on eating healthy meals at Stanford dining locations.

The course is the brainchild of Lindsey Merrihew ‘08, who said her course would draw on what she’s learned in other human biology classes.

“I’m condensing some of my favorite nutrition classes at Stanford,” she said. “At the end of each class, we’ll discuss how what we’ve just learned applies to dining at Stanford.”

Merrihew said students will be keeping track of their dining experiences throughout the quarter, and they will have the opportunity to meet with Stanford Dining representatives at the end of the class.

Associate Director of Student Dining Karen Andrews said that Stanford Dining’s quality-assurance chef and its dietitian will attend that class meeting as well.

“We were excited by the opportunity to participate,” Andrews wrote in an email to The Daily.

HumBio 10SI will also have guest lecturers speak about recognizing good and bad fats, picking effective fuel for the body and avoiding eating disorders. Students will discuss Michael Pollan’s book “In Defense of Food” and give presentations about nutritional myths in the media.

Merrihew explained that she has a longstanding interest in food and nutrition, and she became an unofficial nutritionist to friends in her ballet company and crew team. Human Nutrition is her area of concentration within the Human Biology major, and she explained that leading a student-initiated course is a way to share what she has learned over the years.

“When people think of nutrition, they think of obsessively counting calories or just being preoccupied about everything they eat,” Merrihew said. “I wanted to offer a healthier perspective.”

“Practical Nutrition at Stanford” is offered on Wednesdays, from 7:15 to 8:30 p.m. in 200-202; space is still available in the class.