Naval Hospital Promotes Nutrition Through Commissary Tours

[Leogeddon]

SILVERDALE, Wash. (NNS) -- The Naval Hospital Bremerton (NHB) Health and Promotion Team hosted a healthy shopping tour for customers at the Naval Base Kitsap Bangor Commissary to celebrate National Nutrition Month March 6.

According to www.eatright.org, National Nutrition Month is a nutrition education and information campaign sponsored annually by the American Dietetic Association. The campaign is designed to focus attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits.

"Since it was National Nutrition Month we wanted to provide an activity for patrons, and healthy shopping was one of them," said Lt. Cmdr Gail M. Strong, registered dietician assigned to NHB. "By providing a healthy shopping tour to participants they will get an idea of how to eat healthier and make better food choices."

All tours are free and run about an hour or sometimes longer. Small sized groups of 10 are toured around the commissary to allow dieticians to answer specific questions about nutrition and shopping.

"It's important to eat healthy because it can help prevent cancer or certain diseases," said Strong.
"People with high blood pressure or diabetes have to be more careful of what they eat and these tours provide the right resources and education to help them stay healthy."

Each participant received a nutrient-rich shopping list and a nutrition fact sheet. As they toured the grocery store they were quizzed about different topics and discussions were held.

"I think the healthy shopping tour is a great activity because it provides health education for service members and their families," said Machinist's Mate 2nd Class (SS) Charles Stewart, assigned to Intermediate Maintenance Facility. "A lot of service members are getting kicked out of the Navy for not being within weight standards and this provides another tool to help Sailors stay in shape and stay in the Navy."

For more news from Naval Hospital Bremerton, visit www.navy.mil/local/nhb.

This is just one of many articles I find where the Navy and Marine Corps goes out and helps countries that aren't in war.