Drive thru to nutrition

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Danielle Wolf
  • 442nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  Having a good heart doesn't always mean you have a healthy heart.

I spend hours and hours every week coaching sports. I love the kids I teach and want only the best for them. So, when I tell them to make sure they eat a healthy meal on game days, why am I rushing from work to games and grabbing the quickest meal I can find?

A few months ago I sat down with the wing's nutritionist to find out what I could do to get healthier.

Maj. Brianne Newman, 442nd Medical Squadron nutritionist, is also responsible for advising Airmen on a diet that will help them maintain a healthy lifestyle. As a pre-medical student with two kids of her own, Newman knows schedules can be hectic.

"I know that if I give in today and make poor choices, then I give in tomorrow, then I'm off every day," she said. "If people want to be healthy, they can't give in. They have to be making the right decisions 80 to 90 percent of the time - every day, every week and every month of the year."

Newman said she doesn't calculate calories for herself, but instead, she just makes healthy choices whenever possible.

"I try to plan ahead and bring meals and snacks with me whenever I can," she said. "I have a few healthy options I try to bring along that I know I will enjoy -- but I realize things pop up and plans don't always go as scheduled."

She also didn't deny that sometimes, she just enjoys eating out -- but she does it in a way that is still nutritious.

"When I go to a Mexican restaurant, I can usually guarantee that fajitas will be on the menu," Newman said. "I also know, they will put chips and salsa in front of me while I wait for my food - and I love chips and salsa - so I order the fajitas and just eat it without the tortillas so that it's basically meat and veggies."

Newman said an average woman in her 30s burns about 60-70 calories an hour at a sedentary rate - and a man in his 30s - about 80 to 90 calories an hour. As one ages, his or her metabolism slows, burning less calories per hour.

"So at that rate," she said, "your body can handle 600 calories per meal - but if you're eating 1,200 calories per meal - what do you think your body does with the extra calories? It turns it in to fat."

For my family, eating out will probably always be part of a demanding schedule. But with a little help from Newman, I've already been able to make smarter decisions that make more sense for my heart. I've ordered foods that are cooked with less fats and oils, and I've had my kids do the same. At first, they were all less than thrilled to get a salad with their chicken nuggets -- a kids meal just wasn't the same without french fries. But over the last few months, I've noticed they have started making the right decisions on their own -- and they even want to eat the fruits and vegetables first some times!

It makes me glad that I can teach my kids and my athletes healthy eating habits by example. It's a motivation that I want to keep -- but don't think I won't look forward to the 10-percent of allowable indulgences.

For more information on healthy eating for you or your family, or for fitness information from Newman, you may schedule an appointment at (660) 687-3952, or visit www.442fw.afrc.af.mil for monthly fitness and nutrition information.