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Nutritional Fitness

Being nutritionally fit means finding the right “fuel” so you perform at your best. A good diet isn’t just healthy and nutritious, it must also be sustainable. Trendy or gimmick diets can offer short-term success, but often are not sustainable. Maintaining a healthy, balanced, and sustainable diet helps build wellness across many areas of health.

6 Essential Nutrients

Performance Nutrition: Fuel for Body and Mind

Nutrition and diet are critical to overall health. Fueling service members for maximum physical and mental performance goes beyond the basics. The science of Performance Nutrition helps service members get the most out of their meals.

Performance Nutrition

Service members must operate at peak effectiveness in many challenging environments, and every person has unique nutrition needs. By consuming the right nutrients at the right time, you can achieve optimal resilience and readiness. If you’re considering a change to you diet or exercise program, talk with a registered dietitian or qualified health care provider first.

Fuel Your Body

Proper nutrition can make or break your ability to complete your training or mission. By finding the right balance and variety of foods, you can get the nutrients you need for performance and health.

  • Vegetables leafy greens, cruciferous veggies (broccoli, cauliflower), bell peppers, carrots, mushrooms, onions, and tomatoes.
  • Fruits like berries, cherries, apples, bananas, citrus, tropical fruit (mango, pineapple), and kiwi.
  • Grains and starchy veggies like whole grains such as oats, brown rice, whole grain bread, potatoes, legumes, beans, and peas.
  • Lean proteins like poultry, fish, lean red meat, low-fat dairy, beans, nuts, seeds, and soy products.
  • Healthy fats like nuts and seeds, olive oil, and avocados.

Fuel Your Mind

The right nutrition can also help you achieve optimal emotional, cognitive, and physical performance. When you eat right, you’re likely to feel more energized with better focus, judgment, accuracy, and reaction time. Follow these additional nutrition tips to optimize mental performance:

  • Fuel your body consistently by eating regular meals throughout the day.
  • Drink enough water.
  • Some nutrients, like magnesium and B vitamins can improve brain health.

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How Performance Nutrition Can Help You Maintain Readiness

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7/29/2022
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Performance nutrition is a major key to force readiness.

How Registered Dietitians Can Help You Fuel for Peak Performance

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Registered dietitians can help service members reach their goals with healthy and safe options.

Registered Dietitians Take a Run at Performance Nutrition

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There’s a nourishing parallel between running a 200-mile relay to conducting flight deck operations or being involved in field exercises.

August Performance Triad Month

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7/21/2022
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As part of its August “P3 for All” campaign, the U.S. Army Public Health Center is encouraging all Army leaders, soldiers, family members and soldiers for life to embrace the synergy of sleep, activity and nutrition, the core components of the Performance Triad, along with the important elements of mental readiness and spiritual readiness.

Power Plate: Eat to Fuel Your Performance

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7/19/2022
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Food is our secret weapon. When planned and executed well food can supply everything our bodies need to thrive, whether we’re running a marathon or taking a rest day.

How Diet, Lifestyle and Mental Health Impact Your Overall Health

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Think you might need to lose a little weight? You're not alone. Even in the military, where maintaining physical fitness remains a job requirement and a key component of military readiness, thousands of service members struggle with weight.

The Dangers of Dietary Supplements

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7/11/2022
The Dangers of Dietary Supplements

Did you know that 75% of service members use at least 1 dietary supplement? Experts from the Uniformed Services University discuss the risks and safety concerns of dietary supplements. Learn more about dietary supplements at www.OPSS.org and The Consortium of Health & Military Performance (CHAMP).

What is Performance Nutrition

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7/11/2022
What is Performance Nutrition

Learn more about Performance Nutrition and healthy eating habits at the Consortium for Health & Military Performance. https://champ.usuhs.edu/. For more information about the Dietician Approved Fueling stations at your local commissary, go to https://www.commissaries.com/fueling_stations

Performance Nutrition: The Best Ways to Eat

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7/11/2022
Performance Nutrition: The Best Ways to Eat

USU professor and nutrition specialist, Jonathan Scott PhD, gives advice on eating healthy. Learn more about the Dietician Approved Fueling stations at your local commissary here: https://www.commissaries.com/fueling_stations

What should I eat after a workout?

Video
6/22/2022
What should I eat after a workout?

Ever wonder how to fuel up post-workout to maximize recovery and support your fitness? Check out these tips from the Human Performance Resources by CHAMP, part of the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences to enhance your performance! #PerformanceNutrition #FueltoFight #USU #HPRC”

Considering supplements? Stay Informed

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6/22/2022
Considering supplements? Stay Informed

Stay informed when considering supplements to help you reach your performance and fitness goals with this video from Operation Supplement Safety, the #DOD dietary supplement resource at the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences. #PerformanceNutrition #FueltoFight #OPSS #USU

6 Essential Nutrients

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6/22/2022
6 Essential Nutrients

Are you getting the right nutrients from your diet? Check out this overview of the six essential nutrients to optimize your performance and fitness from Human Performance Resources by CHAMP at the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences. #PerformanceNutrition #FueltoFight #USU #HPRC

Air Force Medical Service Launches 'Nutrition Kitchen' Program

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6/8/2022
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The Air Force Medical Service is launching “Nutrition Kitchen”, a series of online nutritional cooking classes geared toward service members and their families.

Holiday Food Safety Tip: Cook Food Thoroughly

Infographic
5/25/2022
Infographic: Holiday Food Safety Tip #3, Cook Food Thoroughly

Use a thermometer to ensure your food is cooked to the right minimum internal temperature.

Holiday Food Safety Tip: Keep Cold Food Cold

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5/25/2022
Food Safety Tip: Keep cold food cold

Don't let your cold dishes sit out on a counter for more than 2 hours. Keep it chilled at 40 degrees or less.

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Last Updated: May 02, 2023
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