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Effective November 6, 2024, masks are required to be worn by all patients, visitors and non-staff caregivers in the following departments; Emergency Department, Outpatient Chemotherapy, Outpatient Dialysis, 5C, RRTP, CCU and Inpatient Medical Surgical Units.

Nutrition Classes

Did you know?... Your dietitians offer many nutrition classes designed to help you achieve your health goals via virtual appointment. Virtual appointments make VA health care more convenient for you and other Veterans and caregivers. Virtual appointments enable you to quickly and easily meet with your VA care team through secure and private videoconferencing sessions. You can attend nutrition classes in a virtual medical room using the camera on your phone, computer, or tablet. There are NO Co-Pays for virtual appointments.

person cooking vegetables in a pan

Registered dietitians are available to meet with you to discuss nutrition concerns:

Contact: Nutrition Scheduling 503-273-5112 . You can self-refer to these classes, but an appointment is required.

Or Consult: Contact your provider or care team and ask them to enter a consult to schedule into the group.


Nutrition class details

Unless otherwise stated, all classes are...

  • virtual,

  • self-referred,

  • no consult required,

  • by appointment and registration is required.

  • Call 503-273-5112 to register and get scheduled.


     

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Healthy Teaching Kitchen (HTK)

Making healthy food choices is the #1 thing you can do for your health. Learning how to cook can be one step towards getting healthier foods on your plate.  The Healthy Teaching Kitchen (HTK) online program provides live, virtual cooking classes for Veterans to increase nutrition knowledge, cooking skills, and build confidence in cooking at home with healthy, minimally processed foods.

Who can attend?

  • Classes are open to VA-enrolled Veterans and one support person per class.

Why HTK?

  • Making healthy food choices is the #1 thing you can do for your health.
  • 95% of HTK participants report learning new recipes that will help them on their journey to healthy living.

Is there a cost?

  • If you have a co-pay for VA visits, this may apply to HTK cooking classes.

Healthy Teaching Kitchen

Live cooking demonstration with nutrition tips.

  • Class themes rotate monthly.
    • 2022 Themes

      January– Getting Started with Cooking

      February– Building a Balanced Breakfast

      March– Lightening up Lunch

      April– Delightful Dinners

      May– Simple Sides and Salads

      June– Delicious Desserts

      July– Meal Planning

      August– Using Herbs and Spices

      September– Convenient Cooking without a Stove

      October– Cooking for 1 or 2

      November– Pro Tips for Plant Proteins

      December– “How and Why” of Whole Grains

  • Each class is offered twice /month.
  • 1st Tuesday each month @ 1 p.m.
  • 2nd Wednesday each month @ 2 p.m.
  • Class length: 1.5 hours.

 

Low FODMAP diet class for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Learn how nutrition can help with IBS symptoms. VA seal and Whole Health logo.s

Low FODMAP diet class for IBS

Want to learn how nutrition can help with IBS symptoms?

Join us for a workshop, and learn;

1.The role of a low FODMAP diet in the management of IBS.

2.How to identify foods that contain high and low amounts of FODMAPs.

3.How to learn which foods trigger symptoms and find ideas for healthy substitutes.

4.Develop a strategy to expand food choices and manage symptoms.

Offered virtually and by phone

2nd Tuesday monthly,   2:30 – 4:00 p.m.

Contact Nutrition Scheduling @ 

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Cutting board with vegetables

Diabetes Prevention Class

Available to Veterans who have been diagnosed with Prediabetes or are trying to prevent Diabetes. Includes education on healthy lifestyle such as healthy eating, achieving, and maintaining a healthy weight, and increasing physical activity.

  • 1st Friday @ 1 - 2:30 p.m. or
  • 3rd Tuesday @ 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Diabetes Basics Nutrition Classes

For Veterans, along with family member and/or Caregivers, who are interested in learning more about how nutrition impacts diabetes. 

  • 2nd Tuesday each month
  • 9 - 10:30 a.m. or  
  • 2 - 3:30 p.m.

Heart-Healthy Classes

A class focused on the basics of heart-healthy eating.

Topics  include;
     -         Identifying risk factors for heart disease;
     -         reviewing lab values associated with heart health;
     -         understanding the components of a Heart Healthy Eating Pattern;
     -         locating saturated fat, trans fat, sodium, and sugar on the nutrition facts label;
     -         understanding how additional lifestyles can impact heart health.

  • 4th Tuesday every month
  • 9 - 10:30 a.m.

Exploring Plant-Based Eating Class

An introduction to plant-based eating. This class will review what a plant-based diet pattern is, the benefits, key nutrients and foods recommended. Includes tips to get started and actionable steps to implement this eating pattern.

  • 2nd Friday
  • 9:30 - 11 a.m.

Whole Health Introduction to Food and Drink

A one-time Whole Health workshop to learn about whole health nutrition programs and information to improve nutrition as part of health plan.  

  • 1st Tuesday of the month
  • 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.

Nutrition and Chronic Pain

This follow up class to our Introduction to Whole Health Nutrition group is a one-time workshop to learn about the anti-inflammatory diet and chronic pain.

  • 3rd Tuesday
  • 1-2 p.m.

Nutrition & Brain Health

Learn how nutrition can help support brain health.

Join us for a 1-hour Whole Health food and drink workshop. You will learn about:

1.  The role nutrition plays in the maintaining brain health
2.  Foods known to enhance brain health, including the MIND Diet
3.  The basic menu planning skills to increase intake of MINDful foods
 
Recommend Intro to Whole Health Food and Drink class prior to attending this class.

Offered via VA Video Connect (VVC) 

  • 4th Tuesday, monthly
  • 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Virtual Grocery Store Tour 

Would you like to increase your confidence while grocery shopping? Join us for this two-part virtual tour.

In this series you will learn:

1.  How to use the healthy plate method while grocery shopping.
2.  How to read and use food labels.
3.  How to grocery shop on a budget.
 
*We recommend attending the Master Meal Planning Group before or after this series.

Offered via VA Video Connect (VVC) 

  • 3rd & 4th Thursday in Oct, Jan, April, July
  • 10 - 11:30 a.m.

Master Meal Planning

Want to learn how to meal plan?
Join us for a 90-minute Whole Health food and drink workshop.

In this group learn:

1.  The benefits of meal planning and prepping
2.  Basic menu planning strategies
3.  Proper storage of various foods and appropriate food safety

Recommend Intro to Whole Health Food and Drink class prior to attending this class.

Offered via VA Video Connect (VVC)

  • 2nd Tuesday, Monthly
  • 10 - 11:30 a.m.
cutting board with food vegetables and pan

Intuitive Eating Classes

Intro to Intuitive Eating Class (one-time class)

  • 3rd Wednesday, monthly
  • 2 - 3 p.m.

Intuitive Eating Program (12-week program)

  • Every Thursday @ 1:30 - 3 p.m.

What is Intuitive Eating?

A non-diet approach to health created by dietitians focusing on the following:

  • Giving yourself permission to eat in harmony with your mind/body & food
  • Letting your internal hunger and fullness cues guide you
  • Eating due to physical, rather than emotional, cues
  • Being able to select foods that feel good and energize your body

Want to learn more? First, enroll in the Intro to Intuitive Eating class to learn about how to become an intuitive eater.

 

Healthier Kidneys Through Nutrition

Have you been diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease  (CKD)? Do you need help managing your CKD? Did you know changing your eating habits and regular exercise can help slow down CKD and also lower blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels?

  • Last Friday of the month
  • 12:00 p.m.

This one-time class will discuss nutrition and physical activity basics for chronic kidney disease (CKD), including practical recipes to prepare at home and tips for dining out.

To sign up for this class, contact . For more information, please see the attached flyer (below).