Improve health by understanding nutrition Published March 11, 2008 By Susan Runyan Health And Wellness Center EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- "Nutrition, It's a Matter of Fact" is the theme for National Nutrition Month in 2008. As the Health and Wellness Center Dietitian at Eielson, it is my responsibility and privilege to share the latest nutrition facts that can help individuals improve their health. Here are some stories from individuals that volunteered to share their positive experiences applying nutrition information learned in our classes or appointments. Terry Huisman, 354th Civil Engineer Squadron service contract monitor, attended a series of classes on Diabetic Cooking and Nutrition Principles. She started spreading her carbohydrate foods throughout the day and combined protein with carbohydrate foods to lower her blood sugar reading an average of seven to 12 points in the first month. She credits a better understanding of portion size with helping her live with diabetes. She was pleased, so she referred two other people for help with their nutrition concerns. Staff Sgt. Brian Dockery, 354th Communications Squadron network infrastructure technician, came to the HAWC for help with weight loss. He made major lifestyle changes. He increased his physical exercise to five to six days a week. He eliminated fast food, cut back on sweets such as pie and cake, and cut portion sizes so that he is getting 2,000 to 2,200 calories a day. Now he understands portion size; he thinks he was eating 4,000 to 5,000 calories a day. The results; he lost 24 pounds and brought his systolic blood pressure down 21 points in seven weeks. Other benefits he is happy about are that his clothes fit better, he feels more alert mentally and also feels less stressed. He said his wife is happy that he even quit snoring. He notes that good nutrition and exercise worked better than the diet pills and supplements that he used in the past to assist his weight loss. As a registered dietician, sometimes I have to remind even myself of key nutritional pitfalls. An injury or medical condition can lead to unwanted weight gain. After falling on the ice and injuring my back, my activity was severely restricted. I went from 60 minutes on the treadmill to a maximum of 5 minutes at half the speed. I got depressed and yielded to overeating. I'm a dietitian, but I gained 35 lbs in six months and didn't really get back to exercising regularly for 18 months. But, with a return to daily exercise and following a low calorie diet, I lost that 35 pounds in six months and have kept it off for two years. Is it easy? No, it requires effort, but the benefits are having increased energy, good health, and a better attitude. Think about your lifestyle and your health! Do you want ideas on how to eat healthy to be healthy? Come visit with us from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 14 at the commissary. We are offering food samples, nutrition information and recipes in the produce section. You can also check out HAWC classes at our website http://www.eielsonservices.com/eafb/ and click on the HAWC link or call the HAWC at 377-6662.