DGMC, ADA urges Travis Team to step up to nutrition, health

  • Published
  • 60th Diagnostic and Therapeutics Squadron and 60th Medical Operations Squadron
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  March is National Nutrition Month — the perfect time for the Nutritional Medicine Flight and the HOLDSS program [high blood pressure, obesity, lipidemia, diabetes, stress and smoking] at the David Grant USAF Medical Center to urge the Travis Team members to “Step Up to Nutrition and Health,” the theme for this month’s event. 

Created in 1973 by the American Dietetic Association, National Nutrition Month promotes healthful eating by providing practical nutrition guidance and focusing attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound physical activity habits. 

Step up today by making healthier lifestyle choices to improve your health and the health of your family and you’ll reap the benefits for years to come. Small steps equal big rewards. 

DGMC and the ADA want Travis Team members to remember the following key messages during National Nutrition Month in order to eat smart and stay physically active this month and all year long: 

- The food and physical activity choices you make today - and every day - affect your health and how you feel today and in the future. Eating right and being physically active are keys to a healthy lifestyle 

- Make smart choices from every food group. Give your body the balanced nutrition it needs by eating a variety of nutrient-packed foods every day. Just be sure to stay within your daily calorie needs 

- Get the most nutrition out of your calories. Choose the most nutritionally rich foods you can from each food group - those packed with vitamins, minerals, fiber and other nutrients but lower in calories 

- Find your balance between food and physical activity. Regular physical activity is important for your overall health and fitness plus it helps control body weight, promotes a feeling of well-being and reduces the risk of chronic diseases 

- Play it safe with foods. Prepare, handle and store food properly to keep you and your family safe 

DGMC and National Nutrition Month reminds Travis Team members that registered dietitians are the most valuable and credible source of timely, science-based food and nutrition information. Throughout this month, look for additional healthy hints and nutritional tips to be published in the Tailwind. 

For more information about National Nutrition Month, visit www.eatright.org. 

To contact a registered dietitian at DGMC, call 423-7867. 


Top 10 reasons why consulting with a registered dietitian can benefit you:

1. You have diabetes, cardiovascular problems or high blood pressure: A registered dietitian serves as an integral part of your health-care team by helping you safely change your eating plan without compromising taste or nutrition. 

2. You are thinking of having or have had gastric bypass surgery: A registered dietitian will help you learn to eat again. Since your stomach can only manage small servings, it’s a challenge to get the right amount of nutrients in your body. A registered dietitian will work with you and your physician to develop an eating plan for your new needs. 

3. You have digestive problems: A registered dietitian will work with your physician to help fine-tune your diet so you are not aggravating your condition with fried foods, too much caffeine or carbonation. 

4. You’re pregnant or trying to get pregnant: A registered dietitian can help make sure you get nutrients like folate, especially during the first three months of pregnancy, lowering your newborn’s risk for neural tube or spinal cord defects. 

5. You need guidance and confidence for breastfeeding your baby. 

6. Your teenager has issues with food and eating healthfully: A registered dietitian can assist with eating disorders like anorexia, bulimia and overweight issues. 

7. You need to gain or lose weight: A registered dietitian can suggest additional calorie sources for healthy weight gain or a restricted-calorie eating plan plus regular physical activity for weight loss while still eating all your favorite foods. 

8. You’re caring for an aging parent: A registered dietitian can help with food or drug interaction, proper hydration, special diets for hypertension and changing taste buds as you age. 

9. You want to eat smarter: A registered dietitian can help you sort through misinformation; learn how to read labels at the supermarket; discover that healthy cooking is inexpensive. 

10. You want to improve your performance in sports: A registered dietitian can help you set goals to achieve results — whether you’re running a marathon, skiing or jogging with your dog.