Nellis supports National Nutrition Month Published March 23, 2010 By Staff Sgt. William Coleman Nellis Public Affairs Office NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- In recognition of March as National Nutrition Month, Nellis Air Force Base is providing events to educate the community about healthy eating habits. The events held throughout the month include: a cooking demonstration from the Le Cordon Bleu College of culinary arts, a kid's nutrition class at the Child Development Center (CDC) and a Commissary Tour. Chef Presenter Elizabeth Martinez and Nutritionist Aminta Martinez, both from Le Cordon Bleu, provided a cooking demonstration at the Health and Wellness Center (HAWC). During this presentation they taught a variety of ways to incorporate healthy choices and tips for home cooked meals. "It is better to tear spinach with your hands than slice it with a knife, that way the nutrients stay in the spinach cells" said Chef Martinez, as she prepared Fire Orange Chicken recipe, which all attendees of the class sampled. At the CDC, Senior Airman Crystal Thompson, 99th Medical Group diet therapy technician, taught several classes about good eating habits to children. Using a food pyramid display, she explained about serving sizes and limiting the amount of sugars and fats. Airman Thompson also spoke with commissary shoppers and led a tour to explain what to look for on food labeling. She gave pointers on how to choose the healthiest possible products and avoid misleading product labels. "When looking for healthy bread, make sure the label says 'whole grain', if the label just says 'wheat' it means the product is made from enriched flour that are not as good for you as whole grain," said Airman Thompson. To learn how to make good choices about healthy food and nutrition selections, contact the Michael O'Callaghan Hospital Nutritional Medicine Clinic at 653-2904. The next cooking demonstration with be held at the HAWC on March 25, 11:30 a.m., to 12:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. -4:30 p.m. The next commissary tour will happen March 26, at 1400.
