Exchange Food Courts, Expresses Promote a Healthy New Year
DALLAS –The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is making it easier for service members and their families to stick to their health-related new year’s resolutions while dining or grabbing a snack on the installation. Around the world, Exchange food courts and Express locations are stocked with healthy options for smart choices on the go.
“In addition to exercise, proper nutrition plays a major role in maintaining fitness,” said Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Sean Applegate, Exchange senior enlisted advisor. “The Exchange is doing its part to make sure our troops are mission-ready in body, mind and spirit.”
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen offers a live-well menu with more than 20 items with less than 350 calories. The blackened chicken entrée salad is exclusive to the Exchange at only 300 calories, while a chicken and sausage jambalaya is just 220 calories. Popeyes operates more than 75 Exchange locations on Army and Air Force installations.
When dining at one of the Exchange’s 200 Charleys Grilled Subs locations, military shoppers will find a variety of items with 150 calories or less, including grilled chicken, steak and garden salads. Charley uses 100 percent USDA choice steak, 100 percent all-white meat chicken breast and fresh deli meats.
Subway is also taking wellness to heart by offering a Heart Healthy menu that includes meals less than 700 calories with 30 percent or less calories from fat. Subway is the first restaurant to receive the American Heart association Heart Check. The Exchange operates 206 Subway restaurants.
Besides food court staples such as Subway and Popeyes, the Exchange is enlisting new restaurants to keep the focus on health. In 2015, the Exchange added Freshens restaurant to its portfolio. Freshens is known for health-conscious offerings such as crepes, salads, rice bowls, flatbreads, smoothies and yogurt. Locations and opening dates are still being finalized.
For customers who need to grab a quick bite, Expresses offer good-for-you choices for on-the-go snacking and light meals. Snack Avenue is a special area inside Express stores specifically geared to customers looking for a quick healthy meal or snack. Expresses have added several new items to Snack Avenue including Fiji water, bottled smoothies, juices and hard-boiled eggs.
“Good dietary habits greatly enhance our service member’s ability to perform at their maximum potential,” Applegate said. “It’s about making good choice and the Exchange is providing customers those choices.”
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The Army & Air Force Exchange Service goes where Soldiers, Airmen and their families go to improve the quality of their lives through goods and services provided. Exchange earnings provide dividends to support military morale, welfare and recreation programs. The Exchange is part of the Department of Defense and is directed by a Board of Directors, responsible to the Secretaries of the Army and Air Force through the Chiefs of Staff. To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our Web site at http://www.aafes.com/about-exchange/public-affairs/press-releases.htm or follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ExchangePAO.
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