Snack Bar Makeover

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Andrew Caulk
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  With the Air Force trimming the force strength, Airmen are looking to trim their waistlines.

"So many snacks eaten in the work place are less than ideal," said Marilyn Leggett, a registered nurse with the Eglin Health and Wellness Center.

Continuing the Air Force trend for long-term health and fitness, the HAWC created a snack bar makeover contest to get units eating healthier snacks. The 96th Logistics Readiness Squadron won the contest during the first quarter of 2010.

"Air Force Material Command is currently the test command for implementing a healthier nutritional environment," said Alison DeCaro also from the HAWC.

After winning, the squadron received advice and educational nutrition information to help build their snack bar and break room into a healthy environment. In addition, the HAWC personnel will monitor the unit to help encourage sustained healthy snacks.

"We gave them a cost and calorie comparison for many of the standard unhealthy snack selections. For instance, a cheese Danish consists of 480 calories with 200 from fat. Whereas, a granola bar has 190 calories with only 60 calories from fat and less than half the sugar of the Danish. Also, the granola bar is only about 17 cents compared to the 27 cent Danish," said Ms. DeCaro.

"The unit is split on whether they like the change to healthy snacks or not," said Senior Airman Ashley O'Brien who nominated her unit for the competition.

"A lot of our people really like the 100 calorie snacks, though."

Team Eglin units can contact the HAWC at any time to get information and advice on how to improve the unit nutritional environment.