MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- More than 30 Marines learned the benefits of a healthy diet in Nutrition 101, a class held monthly at Camp Pendleton’s Paige Fieldhouse, Jan. 31.
“Our goal is for Marines to understand and apply the fundamentals of a healthy diet by bringing awareness to healthier eating habits,” said Michelle Gifford, health promoter for Camp Pendleton’s Semper Fit department.
Using pamphlets and replicas, Gifford explained how easy meal planning and portion control can be.
According to ChooseMyPlate.gov, half of a plate should be fruits and vegetables, protein should be lean, and half of grains consumed should be whole-grain for more fiber intake.
“How much fiber and protein a person should consume depends on how much they weigh,” said Gifford. “A lot of people don’t know that protein shakes provide more protein than the body can use.”
During the hour-long class, Gifford explained how to find out how many grams of protein a person needs and how to save money on post-workout proteins.
Gifford also talked about weight loss myths and which fats are good fats.
“Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats improve cholesterol, which can decrease your risk of heart disease,” said Gifford.
The Nutrition 101 class is held the first Wednesday of every month on Mainside, the second Wednesday of every month in Horno, and the third Wednesday of every month in Del Mar.
“I think my Marines enjoyed the interactive class,” said Sgt. Joshua Wicksell, motor vehicle transportation platoon sergeant with Combat Logistics Regiment 17, Marine Logistics Group on here. “I hope everything they learned in this class sticks with them.”
For more information on the Nutrition 101 class, contact Monica Moore at (760)763-3793, or at MooreMJ@usmc-mccs.org