HAWC cooks up food for health and fitness

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Timothy Moore
  • 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Many people probably know the Health and Wellness Center for the physical training leaders class, the bod pod, or classes on how to get more out of PT sessions. However, the HAWC is cooking up some new ways to remain fit to fight.

At least once a month, the HAWC holds a healthy cooking class. The classes are designed to help both military members and civilians increase and maintain their health and fitness.
"We try to have the classes encompass all aspects of health," said Cindy Davis, 355th Medical Group Health and Wellness Center dietician.

The classes are designed to help individuals take control of their own health and fitness.
"By you controlling your own foods and controlling your portion sizes, you control your calorie count and the nutrients your body receives and that will help you manage and maintain your weight," Davis said. "At the same time, the foods I'm teaching you about will help increase your fitness level."

While there is currently not a sports nutrition class, one is in the works. Until then, the HAWC is focusing on teaching how to cook healthy meals through various means and modes.
"This month we will do a no-cook meal," Davis said. "We have done a healthy grilling class with meats and vegetables. We even did microwave cooking last month."

Meals are as varied as the ways to cook them. Some meals focus on a specific aspect of health, and others focus on a different style of food.

"We've done heart healthy meals before because people tend to like that one and the foods that are involved," Davis said. "We've done a Mediterranean cooking class. We try to find out what national health month it is and cater our events to the national observance of that month. I also encourage people to not think that you have to have a gourmet meal in order to have a good meal. A good meal can be very simple."

Classes are usually limited to about 15 people due to the facility limitations. However, if there is enough interest in a particular class, the HAWC does try to accommodate by holding multiple classes.

"If anyone calls me up with a suggestion for a class and we get enough requests, I'm sure we can find a way to get it into a class," Davis said.

For more information or to give suggestions, contact Cindy Davis at 520-228-3446 or at Cynthia.davis.ctr@dm.af.mil.

To learn about other events, visit the HAWC's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Davis-Monthan-AFB-HAWC/121928961174076 or download the "My Military Communities" application for smart phones.