Good eating habits key to keeping fit Published Sept. 5, 2003 By 1st Lt. Mae-Li Allison Air Armament Center Public Affairs EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFPN) -- Exercising is only one of several elements needed to live a healthy lifestyle, according to Staff Sgt. Cristina Saguin. She is the noncommissioned officer in charge of nutrition programs at the health and wellness center here."Exercise alone cannot improve a person's health," Saguin said. "Unfortunately, there are those who think that if they exercise, it's a license to eat whatever they want."This thinking leads to poor eating habits like skipping meals, not eating from all the food groups during the day and fad diets, she said."Skipping meals can slow the body's metabolism," said the nutritionist. "Later, they'll overeat, typically on the least healthy of foods."The first step in improving eating habits, Saguin said, is for people to write down everything they eat during the day, and when they eat. This allows people to assess their current eating habits and see what they can change.Additionally, people should eat small meals and snack throughout the day, making sure the meals and snacks include all the food groups, she said.Snacks should include whole-grain breads, cereals, rice and pastas, plenty of vegetables and fruits, low-fat dairy products and lean meats. Products made from refined sugar or those loaded in fat, such as pastries and candy bars should be eaten in moderation, she said."Eating the appropriate foods (helps) to give us the energy we need for daily activity and additional fitness activities," Saguin said. "Those frequent, small meals or snacks go a long way in helping us perform our normal duties and enabling us to exercise, too."Experts at each base's wellness center can provide further information on nutrition and fitness, including directions about weight, cholesterol and blood pressure management. Also, dieticians at the base hospital can give effective tips on how to make lasting changes towards healthy eating habits.