Nutrition and Food Services
VA Collaborates to Celebrate National Nutrition Month®
March’s National Nutrition Month® is the perfect time for us to rethink old habits and begin new, healthy changes. This year’s theme is “Food Connects us.” The foods we eat affect our health and are of vital importance to our Whole Health. As we all know, sharing a meal is a great way to connect to our individual cultures, families, and friends. But did you know that choosing nutrient-dense foods and drinks that are reflective of your culture can help you reach your health goals? From reducing pain and inflammation, controlling blood sugar levels, and improving our gut health, to elevating our mood, getting better sleep, and maintaining a healthy weight – our cultural connection to our food can be of vital importance.
The mission of VA Nutrition and Food Services is to care for Veterans with complete, evidence based, nutrition care. With the help of a VA Dietitian Nutritionist, Veterans can learn how to choose nutritious foods to meet their long-term health goals. This month’s featured recipe is a Hummus and Veggie Wrap-up. For additional recipes, videos, podcasts, and other resources, visit the VA Nutrition and Food Services National Nutrition Month® resource page.
Making wise food choices and staying active are important parts of a healthy lifestyle. The VA’s MOVE! Weight Management Program can help increase your knowledge and your confidence in achieving your individual health goals.
The MOVE! program can help you reduce health risks, prevent or reverse certain diseases, improve quality of life, and can even help you live longer! Read Veteran MOVE! Stories: The Power of Change to be inspired and motivated for your health journey. Then just follow these simple steps to get started.
Veterans Canteen Service (VCS) supports the well-being of Veterans, caregivers, family members and employees through cafeterias, coffee shops, retail stores, and more. This month they will even be featuring our hummus and veggie wrap - so check out your local site for a delicious grab and go meal. VCS cares about what matters to you by offering a variety of food and beverage choices to meet your needs in a comfortable setting. To see what else is in store this month, visit: Food Courts - Veterans Canteen Service (VCS) (va.gov) or in person at your VA facility.
Culture, memories, traditions, seasons, and access all play a vital role in having a healthy relationship with food. National Nutrition Month® gives us all a chance to use the connecting power of food to develop healthful eating and physical activity habits – and just in time for spring! Take advantage of everything the VA offers to support you.
This article was written by Andrea Young, Health System Specialist with the Office of Patient Centered Care & Cultural Transformation and by Beth Blair, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Co-chair of the VA Nutrition and Food Services National Nutrition Month® Workgroup, NFS Marketing and Nutrition Informatics Committee
