81 MDTS celebrates National Nutrition Month Published March 4, 2014 By Steve Pivnick 81st Medical Group Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- The 81st Diagnostics and Therapeutics Squadron nutritional medicine flight observes National Nutrition Month in March with a variety of events. Topping the list is a "Putting a Healthy Spin on Your Favorite Food!", a healthy food contest organized by Staff Sgt. Norlisha Holmes, who said anyone at Keesler could enter the contest. To register, entrants must submit a copy of their recipe and nutrition facts by email to norlisha.holmes@us.af.mil or in person to the nutrition clinic by close of business March 19. Submissions must be less than 300 calories per serving for entrees or less than 100 calories per serving for side items and desserts. Participants must prepare at least 25 servings of their submission for judging on March 24. Recipes will be judged on appearance, creativity and taste. "Start Your Day Out Right" is a weekly activity during March. Four different groups will distribute fruits and halthy fun facts at Keesler Medical Center's outpatient entrance from 7 a.m. until the supply runs out. "Dragon Medic" chiefs will do the honors March 6, first sergeants March 12 and squadron commanders March 20. The nutritional medicine staff will offer sample meal plans and guidance on March 27. March 12, a nutritional medicine team led by Staff Sgt. Andrea Stein, diet therapist, visits the youth center at 4 p.m., to offer healthy snacking information. The team also visits the child development center for a "Dancing with Fruits" session at 9 a.m., March 19, to offer nutritional information. The 81st Medical Group's "Hungry Dragon" dining facility is participating throughout the month with a theme for every day of the week. "Meatless Monday" features meatless entrees on the main line. "Try it Out Tuesdays" promote different, healthy items that diners may not have experienced. "Watch Your Waistline Wednesdays" feature meals for those watching their weight. For "Thirsty Thursdays," the staff will educate patrons about the amount of calories and sugar in popular drinks as well as offer samples of infused water. "Fried-less Fridays" means no fried foods. The month-long observance wraps up 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 24 with the "Healthy Food Contest" judging in the medical center's Don Wylie Auditorium. Judges will be Maj. Tracy Snyder, nutritional medicine flight commander and registered dietitian, and special guest judges. Prizes will be awarded to first, second- and third- place recipes. For more information, call 228-376-5065.