Lynn-Horton did not know she was having a heart attack when she went into her doctor’s office for a routine procedure. In shock from being told she was having a heart attack, she immediately decided not to let it stop her from enjoying her passions.

‘‘It took a while for me to get to where diet was important,” Lynn-Horton said. ‘‘What’s funny is with my ministry, I am the most excitable preacher that runs back and forth across the pulpit, I can’t do that fat. As much as you would think preaching is just talking, it takes a lot of energy and the excess [weight] was too much.”

Dietitians at the NNMC are encouraging staff to make nutrition important, in order to live a healthy life.

‘‘Food is a passion for all of us. We all [eat] everyday so we’re all sort of experts in nutrition. It’s just that some people have more of a background [in nutrition] than others, hence the dietitian,” said Lt. Katherine Vogel, clinical dietitian and department head at NNMC’s Clinical Nutrition Department. ‘‘The biggest thing [about healthy eating] is choosing the apple over the candy bar, water over the soda. It’s little adjustments that I tell people on a day-to-day basis who approach me about [eating right].”

There are many legitimate resources available for people interested in learning how to become healthier.

‘‘If you need to remodel your kitchen, you call a licensed contractor. When your car has trouble, you take it to a mechanic. So, why would you cut corners when it comes to your health by taking food and nutrition advice from a friend, Web site, or other non-expert?” stated Sari Greaves, an American Dietetic Association spokesperson in a press release.

‘‘I have met people who wouldn’t dream of changing the oil in their car by themselves but, will follow advice from a total stranger in a forwarded e-mail when it comes to losing weight,” stated Greaves in a press release.

American dietary guidelines provide evidence-based advice for the amounts of food and physical activity a person needs. The standards for 2005 remain in effect until updated. Changes will be received sometime this year.

Lynn-Horton wanted to live a healthy life for more than herself.

‘‘The [healthy living] progression did not start with food, it started in my heart. I wanted to live,” Lynn-Horton said. ‘‘I have two sons and I want to live. What it was going to take [to get healthy] was I had to sit and process [this information] moreso than what I am going to eat or not eat.”

NNMC has trained dietitians available to provide healthy eating advice to those who may have trouble with good nutrition.

‘‘It takes a person seeing a dietitian to recapture and recognize that foods they’re choosing tend to be loaded in things that are causing their taste buds to get a high level of flavor and it’s a very false perception,” Vogel said. ‘‘All of these extra flavors and all of the extra sugars will attribute to extra weight gain.”

Interested individuals seeking new information about nutrition and healthy eating that is accurate and timely should contact a registered dietitian to provide advice, Greaves stated.

‘‘We’re seeing a greater use of high fructose corn syrup in foods that commonly didn’t have sugar in them. I’d be a hypocrite if I said I didn’t eat ice cream. I have my preferences for the occasional treat food, but that’s what it boils down to, occasional,” Vogel said.

Dietitians consult individuals daily on good and bad foods and how best to manage their diets.

‘‘Retrain your taste buds to not be so inclined to have foods that are loaded in sugar and trans-fat, and be mindful of the portion sizes of certain treats. A treat should be something small,” Vogel said.

According to the dietary guidelines, a healthy diet should emphasize fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products. It should also include lean meats, beans and nuts, be low in saturated fats, trans-fats, salt and sugars.

‘‘A registered dietitian will be able to develop an individual and healthful approach for you,” Greaves said. ‘‘Rather than following a one-size-fits-all fad diet approach to weight loss, you will receive help that will target your needs, your likes and dislikes, your lifestyle and your individual health issues.

Lynn-Horton first made up her mind that she wasn’t going to have another heart attack and changed how she ate, so she would not live a short life.

‘‘What did I do?” Lynn-Horton said. ‘‘I started to watch what I ate, I wanted green vegetables, I wanted fewer calories. Most importantly, what I did was I took a stand and started to exercise three days a week.”

‘‘I think nutrition and working out are equally good, because when you’re eating the right foods, you keep your arteries relatively clear and it gives you good circulation,” said Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class (SW⁄FMF) Stephen Albright, leading petty officer of the Physical Readiness Office. ‘‘When you exercise, you’re taking those vessels and muscles and putting them through a workout, so you’re getting your blood flowing.”

Each food group provides an array of nutrients. Maintaining a diet that includes all food groups daily is important according to the dietary guidelines for Americans.

‘‘You have to eat correctly to work out,” Albright said. ‘‘You have to have the right amount of foods and types of foods to give yourself the fuel you need to workout.”

Although not a dietitian, Albright follows simple rules for eating.

‘‘Follow the food pyramid which is the ideal situation when you go on a diet,” Albright said.

‘‘Exercising can be a little deceptive because I didn’t lose weight and I’ve been doing some strenuous exercise for about three months,” Lynn-Horton said. ‘‘I am toning up and tightening up and, of course, muscle is heavier [than fat].”

Vogel believes it is up to the individual to take control of his or her dietary habits and health.

‘‘Following a balanced diet does take a little more effort. Some even say it may cost a little more money but it’s the end result - your health - that is your best investment,” Vogel said.

You have to eat correctly to work out. You have to have the right amount of fuel and the right amount of foods and type of foods to give yourself the fuel you need to workout.

I think nutrition and working out are equal, because when you’re eating the right foods you keep your arteries relatively clear and it gives you good circulation. When you exercise it, you’re taking those vessel and muscles and putting them through a workout so you’re getting your blood flowing. By getting your blood flowing you moving Although not a dietitian, Albright follows simple rules for eating.

‘‘Follow the food pyramid which is the ideal situation when you go on a diet,” he said.

‘‘Exercising can be a little deceptive because I didn’t lose weight and I’ve been doing some strenuous exercises for about three months,” Lynn-Horton said. ‘‘I am toning up and tightening up and of course muscle is heavier [than fat].”

Vogel believes that it is up to the individual to take control of his or her dietary habits and health.

Following a balanced diet does take a little more effort. Some even say it may cost a little more but it’s the end result – your health – that is your best investment,” Vogel said.