Shaking it up: Nutritional Medicine Flight nourishes patients, airmen, civilians with nutritious smoothies Published Aug. 13, 2008 By Lauren Karch 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Senior Airman Kevin Siclari and Wright-Patterson Medical Center's Nutritional Medicine Flight are promoting a fit force in a delicious and nutritious new way: with healthy smoothies. As part of a Nutritional Medicine Team deployed to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Siclari faced a monumental challenge. "I was deployed to an area of the world where injuries, illness, and malnutrition were more serious than you could imagine...Our mission was to provide outstanding nutritional support to our injured forces, as well as the local civilian population," he says. The team faced a plethora of difficulties, such as language barriers and supply limitations. But one major issue arose in feeding the injured at Bagram: a high percentage of patients suffered from head and neck injuries and limited mobility, preventing normal eating habits. Using knowledge acquired from four years working in dietetics, Siclari experimented with his team to develop modified consistency items for those unable to chew or swallow. By mixing on-hand items such as ice cream, pudding, fruit, and premade nutrition shakes, the dietetics team crafted smoothies that boasted both valuable nutrition and palatable flavor. The nutrition and ease of preparation offered by these "combat shakes" quickly made them a staple in the medical kitchen. "The response to our combat shakes was so overwhelmingly positive we decided to make it a standard patient care practice. Since we were the first of many cycles to rotate in and out of Bagram, we knew it was our responsibility to keep this technique going long after we left the base. We briefed our replacements on the needs of our patients, and educated them on our solution to the common problems. In turn, the practices that we initiated are still in effect in Bagram today," he says. The minimal materials and equipment required for these recipes made them ideal for food preparation in the desert. Siclari explains that fried foods and other easy-to-make, unwholesome choices are popular at military bases, increasing waistlines and lowering overall health. Under the direction of the nutrition team, these simple and nutritious smoothies made a healthier substitute for fried fare. Siclari's team faced a different issue when feeding local Afghani citizens working with the base. "Almost all males between 13 and 26 in Afghanistan suffer from some form of malnutrition...Their diets are very fundamentally lacking. They have no nutritional experience or education, they don't have the facilities, they don't have the resources," he says. The team served smoothies to ensure that local civilians received basic nutrition. Keeping the civilians satisfied with a variety of flavors and textures encouraged their continued interest in a balanced diet. Lt. Col. Jane Heetderks-Cox, commander of the Nutritional Medicine Flight, impressed by their success overseas, promotes the use of these smoothies in the Medical Center as one means of helping patients with nutritional challenges to achieve their nutritional goals. She points out that the concept has general applications for anyone seeking nutritional health. Their content can be adjusted to meet specific needs, making them suitable aids for weight loss, weight gain, and carbohydrate or protein supplementation. "There are many different ways to achieve nutritional health...this is one good idea," she says. "It's nutrition in a glass!" Certain shakes work well as post-workout energizers, meal supplements, or snacks. They also serve as a nutritious way to start the day: breakfast is the skipped by the most people, and, as Heetderks-Cox points out that people who eat in the morning tend to have fewer weight and health problems than those who do not. Siclari agrees. "People think that nutrition is a lot more complicated than it is. It's very basic: to keep your metabolism going, you need something there. It's like gas in a car." Fueling up is quick and simple with his smoothie concept: "You can grab a blender, grab a few ingredients; it's quick and tastes good. It's something people can do on their own." Heetderks-Cox and the Nutritional Medicine flight crusade for dietary health for airmen and civilians across the base. The Nutrition Clinic offers several nutritional programs and counseling for a various nutrition related conditions such as high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes. Support groups are offered for the overweight in addition to the weight management programs offered at the base Health and Wellness Center. Siclari was recognized individually, as well, earning the title of Nutritional Medicine Airman of the Year from the AF Medical Service. Originally from New Jersey, Siclari joined the military in hopes of sampling a wide variety of career experiences. Contracted for diet therapy in 2004, he has "enjoyed every minute" of work in the field, and plans to use put this experience to work in the future. After finishing his associate's degree in nutrition and dietetics, Siclari hopes to complete a bachelor's degree. Although he will be leaving the Nutritional Medicine Flight to join an air crew within a month, Siclari has certainly left a mark on nutritional practices here at Wright-Patterson. "Nutrition is really easy," he says, and reminds his fellow airmen that, sometimes, "you just need to shake it up!" Below are two of the most popular smoothies produced by the Nutritional Medicine Flight. Just blend the ingredients for nutrition in a glass! Fast-Fruit Smoothie Makes a great snack or on-the-go breakfast for those hoping to manage their weight. Ingredients: · 4 oz frozen fruit · 4 oz yogurt · 4-6 oz milk or water (adjust for desired consistency) · 1 serving whey protein powder (vanilla, strawberry, or other fruit flavor) PB Power Shake A high-calorie, high-protein smoothie for post-workout nourishment or meal replacement. Ingredients: · 4 oz ice · 2 Thsp peanut butter · ½-1 banana · 4 oz skim milk · 1 serving chocolate whey protein powder