SCHOFIELD BARRACKS-Once a month, beneficiaries have the opportunity to tour the Schofield Barracks Commissary with a registered dietitian.
Tripler Army Medical Center's (TAMC) Outpatient Nutrition Department started the commissary tours to educate the military community on how to buy healthy foods and employ smart shopping strategies.
"In order to eat healthy an individual needs to know which foods to purchase and prepare," states Capt. William Conkright, Chief, Tripler Outpatient Nutrition Clinic. "The registered dietitians also discuss meal planning and food purchasing tips throughout the tour," added Conkright.
Participants walk through the produce, meat/seafood, dairy, bread, cereal and frozen foods sections during the hour long tour.
The group discusses how to read labels and ingredient lists to determine the healthiest options. They also develop skills and knowledge on the importance of meal planning and creating grocery lists to improve shopping efficiency.
The dietitians also emphasize healthy substitutions for certain products to make a higher quality, healthier meal.
"We encourage participants to choose real, whole foods-generally found around the perimeter of the store-for optimal health," adds 1st Lt. Elizabeth Tankovich, Chief, Outpatient Nutrition, U.S. Army Health Clinic-Schofield Barracks.
Participants are asked to complete activities in each of the sections.
The group gathers after each section to share what they have found, learn about the section and have an opportunity to ask questions.
There are always surprises down the aisles of each of the sections.
In some sections there are products that would not fit the criteria to be considered a healthy product.
A big surprise for participants is in the frozen foods section.
"Few frozen meals are actually healthy. Everyone asks why there is so much sodium, it's frozen after all," states Conkright.
The answer-sodium is typically used as a preservative. In frozen meals sodium also has a lot to do with being a flavor enhancer.
The commissary tour program is for the whole family and not just Soldiers.
It is important for the whole family to be on the same pathway to health and readiness.
If only one parent, who may not do the shopping and cooking, is the only one getting the messaging then the message is not effective.
The tours have been a success so far! Participants have provided a lot of positive feedback; some even start shopping immediately.
"The commissary tour program increases the participant's confidence in choosing healthy groceries," states Tankovich. "The program also ultimately promotes more home cooked, balanced meals for the participants and their families," added Tankovich.
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