You Are What You Eat: Fueling Power with Nutritional Health

The old saying goes that an army moves on its stomach, but in today’s army, it’s not just about having enough food – it’s about having the right food. This modern approach is defined as “nutritional readiness,” a concept that helps individuals make informed choices that fuel peak performance.

“Nutrition preparedness means that when I get a plate of food in front of me, I learn about it. When I eat, I know how much I’m eating. I know how to fuel my body to recover and function,” said Kelly Hindermer, a health educator at the Armed Forces Wellness Center.

AFWCs play an important role in nutrition through their personal well-being strategies. Their mission is focused on improving health and building preparedness by targeting behaviorally modifiable factors that are likely to lead to chronic illness, injury or performance issues.

AFWC services are also available to active duty dependents, reservists, retirees and civilian Department of War personnel.

“We provide education about eating patterns, learning about how much carbohydrate, protein and fat you should be eating,” Hindermer said. “(In addition to) learning about energy management because it’s the biggest thing for weight management, nutrition and just being a career in the military.”

Because each person’s situation is unique, AFWC staff develop appropriate nutrition plans.

“It starts with a metabolic assessment, a 15-minute test that lets me know how many calories you’re burning at rest,” Hindermer said. “Based on this data, AFWC can monitor how your body composition changes over time.”

“It allows us to know exactly how many calories you’re eating,” she said. “So, if you know you’re eating more than your burn for the day, you’re going to gain weight, and so on.”

AFWCs provide a range of services to support Soldiers’ health and wellness journeys. By providing Soldiers with customized data and strategies, AFWCs help them take control of their health and make sustainable lifestyle changes.

The first assessment is an orientation class. After the class, clients can schedule any assessment they are interested in. During the first appointment, staff learn about the person, their habits, what they bring to AFWC and how they can support them. Employees discuss their current habits around exercise, nutrition, sleep and stress. With this holistic intake, the coach and client can then identify areas for positive habit change.

“We see people enroll in our program every 60 days so we can change their nutrition plan based on whatever they’re experiencing,” Hindermer said.

AFWCs also offer health class topics that include nutrition misinformation, dietary guidelines, MyPlate, macronutrients and micronutrients. Additional topics include vitamins and minerals, water intake, calorie-dense versus nutrient-dense foods, nutrition labeling, eating strategies and resources to help improve eating habits.

Another important part of the individual plan is the health coach. Coach provides personalized health coaching for Soldiers, families, retirees and DOW civilians using tools such as fitness/metabolic testing and biofeedback, offering one-on-one sessions and group classes to support overall readiness and well-being, one-on-one and virtually.

According to Hindermer, the biggest obstacle to seeing the AFWC is the soldiers themselves.

“Society puts a lot of whole foods out there, and so people hold themselves to a standard that’s unrealistic, instead of stepping back and realizing that starting small is the biggest thing,” she said.

Another AFWC initiative to promote nutrition is the three-color coded labeling system.

Called the Green Program, this simple, color-coded food labeling system used in food establishments provides a quick-view guide to the nutritional value of food choices:

• Greens: High-performance foods that should be eaten more often.

• Yellow: A mild food that can be eaten occasionally.

• Red: Low activity foods should be eaten rarely.

The program helps soldiers make informed decisions that directly affect their physical performance and overall health. You can find more information about the program on the HPRC website.

While formal appointments for services such as metabolic assessments and health coaching must be made in advance, AFWC encourages personnel to walk in for information or book their initial consultation. “It’s good to go for a schedule or information,” Hindermer said. For those not located near a physical wellness center, she notes, “virtual classes and virtual health coaching services are also available,” ensuring that everyone has access to these valuable resources.

By supporting proper nutrition for the force with the knowledge and resources to make healthy choices, the Army ensures that its Soldiers are not only ready for combat but also equipped for a lifetime of health and wellness.

Nutrition Awareness Month

March is Nutrition Awareness Month. Take control of your health by making informed food choices and developing good eating and physical activity habits. Learn more at the MilitaryOneSource website.