FORT CAMPBELL, KY -- While it isn't the largest section on the holiday card rack, National Registered Dietitian Day was celebrated with much fanfare Wednesday at Blanchfield Army Community Hospital.
The dietitian holiday fell squarely in the midst of National Nutrition Month. Not surprisingly, registered dietitians from the hospital's Nutrition Care Division spent the day hosting a myriad of nutrition themed events, just as they do all month long. Chief among those happenings was a lunchtime Nutrition Health Fair at the dining facility entrance, aimed at educating passersby on the healthiest menu selections when dining at restaurants throughout Fort Campbell.
"Registered Dietitians are trained professionals committed to helping you enjoy a healthy lifestyle," said Lt. Latoya Clark, chief of Clinical Dietetics Branch at Blanchfield. "We provide and promote nutritious options because people often fall into the myths about eating healthy. They mistakenly think it will cost more money or they have to make some sudden, drastic change."
The goal is to introduce simple modifications to your diet and lifestyle.
"Start small and make modest changes like cutting soda and drinking more water. Cut your sodium intake. Start getting 30 minutes of physical activity each day. Get enough sleep. Ultimately, these simple building blocks form healthy habits over time."
You can't do it all at one time, Clark emphasized. "People often go cold turkey on fad diets and things they can't sustain. Just make simple changes to your routines, build healthy habits little by little and reap the rewards of a healthy lifestyle -- better health."
Clark's path to becoming a registered dietitian started seven years ago. As an undergraduate working with a children's obesity program, Clark was shocked by what she saw. The children were overweight, had high cholesterol and high potential for many health problems. Yet, schools were cutting physical education classes, and parents were often making poor decisions on nutrition.
She wanted to know what was going on and how to fix it, something that still motivates her each day at Blanchfield.
"Parents are often unaware of what's in many processed foods today. They'll send their kids to school with a Lunchables every day, not realizing it has 800 to 1,140 mg of sodium. That is a quarter to one-half the amount an adult should have in an entire day, and parents are giving it to kids."
Clark said she hopes to educate parents about making better choices at the grocery store. "Start looking at the fresher options. Start making meals with your children and find out what they are willing to eat, versus buying chips and snacks."
Starting these habits while kids are young heads off problems down the road, she said.
Because many learn the nutrition lesson too late, the Nutrition Care Division sees a broad spectrum of patients for an equally diverse range of reasons.
"We see everything from pediatrics to geriatrics," explained Wayne Kostolni, a registered dietitian and diabetes specialist. "Most are here by doctor's referral, but many self-refer for things like cardiac health and weight loss. Sometimes we even see mothers of kids who are picky eaters."
Kostolni said most of his patients benefit from group classes, but he and other dietitians often spend up to an hour with individual patients because the impact of nutrition on overall health is staggering.
"Nutrition is just huge. It's just like the old expression, 'You are what you eat,'" Kostolni explained. "The problem with the American diet is processed food, along with too much meat and too much dairy. Fruits, vegetables and whole grains are missing in large quantities."
This nutritional imbalance contributes to heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, cancer and other leading causes of death, Kostolni said.
"These are perhaps, 98-percent preventable with proper nutrition."
While relishing Registered Dietitian Day's flurry of activity, Clark and Kostolni paused briefly to celebrate their day with appropriately portioned red velvet cake. Portion control will undoubtedly be on the menu again during Pi Day Saturday.
Related Links:
Blanchfield Army Community Hospital
Social Sharing