“Get Your Plate in Shape”

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Richard Oates shops for grapes at the commissary on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., March 29, 2012. Oates makes eating healthy easier by portioning grapes into snack bags to eat on-the-go. Oates, a 4th Force Support Squadron food service supervisor, hails from Catskill, N.Y. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Aubrey Robinson/Released)

“Get Your Plate in Shape”

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Sheridan Lacy shops for oranges at the commissary on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., March 29, 2012. Lacy gets his daily recommended fruits by consuming two cups of apples and oranges. Lacy is a 1st Airborne Communication Control Squadron data operator from Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. He hails from Temecula, Calif. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Aubrey Robinson/Released)

“Get Your Plate in Shape”

A patron looks at the National Nutrition Month display in the fitness center on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., March 28, 2012. The theme for this year’s National Nutrition Month is “Get Your Plate in Shape,” by encouraging individuals to eat the proper portions of healthy food daily. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Aubrey Robinson/Released)

"Get Your Plate in Shape"

Published March 29, 2012
By Airman 1st Class Aubrey Robinson
4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Members of the Seymour Johnson Air Force Base Fitness Center and Health and Wellness Center use March as a time to promote good nutrition and healthy habits.

Around the world, March is recognized as National Nutrition Month. The theme for this year is to "Get Your Plate in Shape."

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, along with first lady Michelle Obama, retired the government's well-known food pyramid and introduced a new design called MyPlate in June 2011. The new design, a plate split into four food groups, helps serve as a reminder to everyone about the basics of maintaining a healthy diet by compelling us to be more mindful of what kinds of food and how much we are putting on our plates.

"Good nutrition is choosing a variety of healthy foods along with the proper portions," said Tiffany Harrison, 4th Fighter Wing registered dietitian and licensed nutritionist. "Nutrition is important for overall good health, but especially for our active duty members who are working on their physical fitness."

Part of the mission at the HAWC is to teach healthy habits to the base community. Staff members encourage Airmen to choose healthier food and lifestyles by providing various programs and classes for service members, their families and retirees.

"For those who are on the run and have busy lifestyles, try to choose food that is lower in sodium. Buy fruits and vegetables you can portion into snack bags so they can be readily available for you," Harrison said. "One good tip is to buy leaner, ready-to-go meats, like packs of tuna in water and whole grain crackers for snacking."

The HAWC will provide several nutrition classes throughout April. Nutrition 101, a basic nutrition and calorie counting class, will be held on April 10th. Additionally, a diabetes health class occurs April 3 and a "Healthy Heart" class is April 17.

"The HAWC does body fat measurements as well as waist measurements, so I'll have them measure me every once in a while," said Senior Airman Jared Perea, fitness director and personal trainer at the 4th Force Support Squadron. "I also ask for nutrition advice, since they are specialists. I utilize those benefits quite frequently."

For more information about the HAWC programs or to make an appointment with a nutritionist, call 919-722-0407.