Military Officer - September 2006 - (Page 21) rapidfire NutritionNotes O Donate Blood Oatmeal T he Armed Services Blood Program (ASBP) collects blood from the military community for the military community. Donors from all services, military family members, retirees, and government employees are eligible to donate blood through ASBP. Some restrictions on blood donation include travel to Iraq or countries where malaria is endemic; recent piercings, brands, or tattoos; recent immunizations; and certain medical conditions. Depending on the situation, the deferral may be either temporary or indefinite. Each year, patients in U.S. military medical treatment facilities receive more than 54,000 units of red blood cells. A trauma victim may require at least 40 units of blood, and leukemia patients need up to eight units of platelets daily during treatment. A premature baby’s life can be sustained for two weeks by a pint of blood. To learn more, visit www.militaryblood.dod.mil. ats are a diverse grain. They became popular in late medieval Europe as part of a three-year crop rotation farming technique. They were originally used as animal food but eventually gained popularity for human consumption. In Ireland and Scotland their popularity increased because they grew well in the cool, damp climate. Recently, oats have become a popular American food. Within the past decade, the FDA endorsed the positive health effects of oats after studies showed they might reduce risks of some heart diseases and cancers. Research suggests oats reduce the risk of diabetes and lower blood pressure. Positive effects of oats depend on other healthy diet and lifestyle practices. A half cup of plain, dry oatmeal has 150 calories, including 25 calories from 3 grams of fat. It has no sodium. It also has 4 grams of fiber, about 15 percent of the recommended daily allowance. The soluble fiber is credited with the primary health effects of binding with cholesterol. Some oat products are fortified with vitamins and minerals. Sweetened and flavored oatmeal products ON THE WEB have sugar and sodium ■ For recipes using oatmeal, visit www.moaa.org and click added. Read the labels and on Health and Wellness under select the product that best Services. fits your nutritional needs. Miscellany: Annual Meeting and Referral Bonuses IT’S MEETING TIME: Make plans to attend MOAA’s 2006 Annual Meeting Nov. 18 at the Doubletree Hotel, Crystal City, in Arlington, Va. Members and spouses can attend free information-packed seminars about legislation, military and MOAA benefits, transition challenges, planned giving, chapter affairs, and financial planning. To learn more about how you can attend, visit www.moaa.org/capitalevent. *REFERRAL BONUS FOR RETIREES: The Army has expanded eligibility for a $1,000 bonus to retired soldiers who refer applicants who enlist in the active Army, Army National Guard, or the Army Reserve; complete basic training; and graduate from individual advanced training. For more information, call (800) 233-3735, ext. 60473; contact your local retiree services office; or visit www.usarec.army.mil/smart or www.1800goguard.com/esar. IMAGES: CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT, ART GLAZER/GETTY IMAGES; PUNCHSTOCK; PUNCHSTOCK SEPTEMBER 2006 * MILITARY OFFICER 21 http://www.moaa.org http://www.militaryblood.dod.mil http://www.moaa.org/capitalevent http://www.usarec.army.mil/smart http://www.1800goguard.com/esar
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