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Small Bites, Big Impact!
DYK you can use G4G in other venues within your military nutrition environment? Snack bars can be a valuable nutrition source for Service Members looking for convenient fuel between meals, while on shift work, or before a long commute.
In 2020, Col Deb Robinson partnered with Luke Air Force Base to “Go for Green” at a worksite snack bar with the G4G SNACKOs pilot. Two years later, we are proud to spotlight a few G4G CHAMPions who tackled improving the food environment one bite at a time!
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The U.S. Naval Academy (USNA)
participated as a pilot site to improve the nutrition environment
at their fueling station using G4G
2.0.
Thanks to Megan Maher, USNA RD, who uncovered challenges and provided insights to establish best practices for G4G 2.0 fueling
station implementation.
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The G4G ready-to-use (RTU) items database lists individually packaged and bulk menu items pre-coded with G4G color and sodium codes. You can search and sort specific items (for example, search for Green-coded beverages for healthier drink options).
Inclusion in the RTU database does not imply endorsement of the product or company by DoD, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, or the DoD G4G 2.0 program.
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Shana McClard
Capt, USAF RD, Officer, Operational Support Team 82d Medical Group, Sheppard Air Force Base, TX
Capt Shana McClard is a United States Air Force (USAF) Human Performance Registered Dietitian (RD) Officer and part of the Operational Support Team (OST) for the 82d Medical Group at Sheppard Air Force Base (AFB), Texas. She is one of the first USAF RDs to be in an OST billet.
While embedded within 366th Training Squadron at Sheppard AFB, Capt McClard saw unit body fat percentage decrease by 5% and muscle mass increase 3% overall; a notable achievement she attributes to working hand in hand with embedded units on the mission side and utilizing preventative medicine.
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“Operational Support Teams are the way ahead for the MNE. Inserting ourselves into the mission and providing scientifically proven education to prevent injuries, decrease profiles, increase resiliency, and promote wellness throughout people’s lifespan is key for preventable medicine." |
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Tips to optimize snack bars with G4G:
- Use HPRC, OPSS, and G4G websites to find performance nutrition information, materials, and resources.
- Get feedback on popular items before you purchase snacks.
- Our Service Members liked bars (granola/protein), tuna pouches, and almonds.
- Provide Green-coded drinks when possible.
- If you stock Red-coded drinks (especially energy drinks), educate Service Members on how to read the Nutrition or Supplement facts label.
- Involve Service Members! Allow them to be a part of the change, so they don’t feel like you’ve taken over their space.
Tips to implement G4G at a fueling station:
- Label Green-coded items only.
- Supply shortages and Service Member demand for variety can lead to changing inventory - leave several G4G 2.0 Food Cards blank so you can easily move or replace labels as items rotate.
- Display Green-coded items at eye level.
- Print and display G4G education and marketing materials to help promote new items.
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"Lead the way as a nutrition specialist to be the change the world is seeking. So often people want to be “healthy” but don’t know how. It is up to us to educate and provide scientific evidence based nutrition education, resources, and/or advice." |
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We welcome other success stories from G4G CHAMPions on improving the nutrition environment with G4G 2.0 outside the dining facility. Contact the G4G team at g4gteam@usuhs.edu. |
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AFRS Recipe
AFRS #: L-341-00
Yield: 100 portions
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DYK March is National Nutrition
Month? We have some great
content planned for you all!
 @GoForGreenG4G
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