Media Release

12 September 2006

Fit to Fight and Win: Army’s Dietician Honoured

The New Zealand Army’s dietician, Captain Nicola Martin, has been presented with the New Zealand Dietetic Association’s Nestle Young Achiever Award for her efforts in introducing enhanced nutrition and dietetics to the Army.

The New Zealand Army has long recognised the importance of being fit to fight and the role good nutrition plays in developing healthy and effective personnel. In 2005, a first for the Army, Captain Martin was employed to monitor and enhance nutrition for personnel within the Army’s dining halls, and out in the field where soldiers rely on combat ration packs.

One of the main areas Captain Martin has been working on is a nutrition programme for soldiers completing their initial recruit training. As well as developing a comprehensive nutrition education programme, she has introduced a dietician approved menu, promoted balance and portion control for meals, ensured sports drinks are available following physical training, and organised for snacks to be made available to soldiers three times a day to promote recovery, concentration and to maintain energy levels.

Captain Martin received the award at a ceremony held in Wellington last night.

ENDS

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