Fresh Focus

March is a whole month dedicated to promote the profession of Nutrition Services as well as delivering nutrition education to the public. A Registered Dietitian Nutritionist can help you improve your overall health and wellness. Episode #70 focuses on the topic of health-related marketing, and more importantly, how we perceive, and engage, with this information. VA Dietitians help to observe the context in which these methods thrive, and how to shift our perception in a way that helps to protect ourselves from poor quality, and misleading, information.

In episode #69 VA Dietitians discuss different meal planning strategies to better “fuel for the future” which is the 2023 theme of National Nutrition Month®. For most people, hearing the word meal planning or meal prepping may elicit images of extra time cooking, pre-portioning the same meal into containers to be eaten throughout the week. And while that is one approach to meal planning that works great for some people, this episode explores different approaches to find a system that fits best into our lifestyles. 

In the United States the USDA indicates that 13.8 million people are considered food insecure. Food security is a federal measure of a household’s ability to provide enough food for every person in the household to have an active, healthy life. In this episode we take a closer look at food security, and explore a dietitians role in helping you reach your health goals.  

March is National Nutrition Month® and is a chance to celebrate eating healthy. In episode #67, our VA Dietitians review tips for eating healthy on a budget. Specifically, whether you are buying groceries and cooking at home for yourself, including family members, or making the choice to enjoy food away from the home.

The body can do great things, but we need to give it time to do so. In fresh focus episode #66 we discuss exercise in relation to cardiac health. Dietitian Sieger provides signs to be mindful of when starting a physical activity routine, and strategies on how to include regular activity and exercise into our daily lives. Finding that individualized movement starting point is beneficial for our mind, body, and soul.  

Excessive sodium intake is a concern for 9 out of 10 Americans. Having less sodium in your diet may help you lower or avoid high blood pressure, which is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Dietary changes have a huge impact when we are away from the home. Whether its dining out or at the grocery store, the decision of what to eat can quickly become overwhelming. Listen in Episode #65 as Ashley, Marion Dietetic Intern as she clears the air on how to make a heart healthy selection.   

According to the American Heart Association, 1 in 4 heart failure patients are readmitted within 30 days of discharge from the hospital, and approximately half within 6 months. It is suggested that around one-fourth of these readmissions may be preventable. For patients being treated for heart disease, poor diet and medication compliance are the most common reasons for readmission.

In episode #64, the Home-based Cardiac Rehab Dietitian discusses ways to lower the chances for of going back into the hospital soon after discharge. She includes 10 ways to maintain heart health after receiving a heart related diagnosis and tips for making positive changes to improve heart health.  

In a realistic world, heart healthy eating will have a different starting point for everyone. It might mean making a few smaller changes or bigger substitutions. If you are in the process of working toward eating healthier to reach your goals then listen in to episode #63, where Marion VA Dietitians review ways to limit processed foods that can be high in sugar and salt. Your local VA Dietitian can help assist you in meal planning to meet your own individual needs. This episode provides strategies to help find replacements for boxed items and provides many fun and delicious recipes with using cost effect ingredients.  

VA Dietitians want to help encourage Veterans, their family, and caretakers to maintain heart health. Keeping our hearts healthy is important and nutrition can play a big role. In episode #62, listen along as Kristine, VISN 15 MOVE Coordinator reviews her top three lifestyle changes that can help improve your heart health.  

Starting off with selecting a variety of high fiber colorful fruits and vegetables and focusing on having a balanced healthy plate. In addition to our meals, working towards being physically active, and being mindful of your weight. MOVE! Is a great program to help with weight management. Finally, look for Whole Health options in your area for movement activities for a great way to increase physical activity.  

There is a crucial transitional time after being discharged from the hospital where making changes could prevent the need to go back into the hospital. As Dietitians, we understand how hard it can be to digest nutritional information when discharged home from the hospital. Sometimes, there’s so much information at once, making it hard to find a starting place once you are back at home. In episode #61, Registered Dietitian, Ryan Santanna-Hart, offers strategies such as starting with scheduling an appointment with your local VA Dietitian. Topics include meal planning, limiting high sodium foods, and lifestyle changes can help reduce symptoms. This series aims to support our Nations Heroes with their heart health.