WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio – Now that the holiday season is in full swing, indulging in all the sweets and treats at all the holiday potlucks and parties may cause you to add on some extra pounds. The 88th Medical Group Nutrition Clinic not only can help you knock off those pounds, they can help you keep them off by teaching you long-term healthy eating habits based on your lifestyle.
The nutrition clinic provides medical nutrition therapy for active-duty members, retirees and their dependents (over six weeks old) by offering classes and individual appointments to provide nutritional guidance for medical and personal reasons such as diabetes, weight management, meal planning and more.
“The nutrition clinic staff are non-judgmental and supportive,” said Lt. Col. Amanda Denton, Nutritional Medicine Flight Commander and Air Force Materiel Command nutrition consultant. “As nutrition professionals it is our job to help people interpret nutrition science and use that knowledge to implement changes in their lives that provide the most health benefits.”
With increased evidence and recommendations by the American Cancer Society, the American Institute for Cancer Research, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the American College of Cardiology, plant based diets have become more popular. To meet the need for nutrition education specific to this population, the nutrition clinic now offers an “Introduction to Plant-Based Nutrition” class, in addition to existing classes like Winning at Losing, Diabetes, Meal Planning, Heart Healthy and the Group Lifestyle Balance program.
“Registered Dietitians have always advocated that people eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables,” said Denton. “However more people are switching to a partial or completely plant-based diet based on recommendations from their healthcare team or because of personal motivation based on independent research.”
Denton added that according to a 2012 National Harris poll, 47 percent of Americans eat at least one vegetarian meal a week and as many as 14 million adults consider themselves to be vegetarian.
The Introduction to Plant-Based Nutrition class explains the many different types of meal patterns from flexitarian (eating only small amount of animal derived foods) through vegan (eating no animal products), with an emphasis on how to meet key nutrient needs. In addition, practical ways to eat more plant-based meals is discussed and resources are shared that empower people to make the changes they are interested in making. Evidence-based materials from credible sources are provided to help make informed decisions.
The Plant-Based Nutrition class is held every third Thursday of the month from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The nutrition clinic is located in the hospital basement near the main elevators. Hours of operation are 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, closed for lunch 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and on all federal holidays. To sign up for any nutrition class or for additional information on the clinic call (937) 257-8815. For additional information on following a balanced vegetarian diet visit https://vegetariannutrition.net. For information on nutrition and healthy eating, visit USDA website My Plate at www.choosemyplate.gov.