Food is medicine

“Food is Medicine” is a produce prescription program being tested by Michael E. DeBakey VA in Houston. In addition to $100 on a special debit card to purchase fresh produce, Veteran participants also receive nutrition education and on-going coaching.

Army Veteran Herman Johnson struggled with his weight for years. His health suffered, his mobility suffered and even his relationships suffered. But last year, his life began to change when he enrolled in a VA pilot program aimed at increasing healthy food access and improving health outcomes for Veterans.  

Johnson, a longtime Houston VA patient, says he is seeing better results than he could have ever dreamed of since enrolling in the program last February.

“I have lost 35 pounds and gained a whole new perspective on eating. Before, I wasn’t going to spend my money on vegetables, I was more into soul food. Once I started eating fresh produce recommended by the program, I became much more open-minded about changing my eating habits. I am now hooked on greens and other healthy food, and have even taken up juicing,” Johnson shared.

250 Veterans enrolled

Houston was chosen as one of two VA sites nationwide to pilot the Food is Medicine program through a partnership between VA and the Rockefeller Center. Almost 250 Veterans are now enrolled and the initial results look positive.   

“Over the past six months, we have seen Veterans in the Food is Medicine program just blossom,” said Registered Dietician Amanda Slover, assistant chief of nutrition. They are losing weight and seem very open to making dietary changes and improving their health. Some of the Veterans, including Mr. Johnson, have even started gardens in their backyards so they can grow their own produce.”

Johnson says the Food is Medicine program has done more than help him lose weight. It has helped improve his life. As a facilitator in a prison ministry, an active volunteer, a grandfather and a great-grandfather, he is often out and about in the community.

“I am much more active now and I just feel better overall. I’m now eating to live, rather than living so I can eat. Who knew that I would learn to love beets?” he joked.

Johnson’s VA primary care physician, Dr. Zachary Decatur, is also impressed with the results of the program. “Mr. Johnson’s healthy eating is really paying off for him. His overall health, including weight, blood pressure and blood sugars, are improving. It’s really great to see him take charge of his health and get such great results.”

VA extensive research on Veterans and obesity

One study reported 86% of Veterans were overweight or obese at their first visit to a VA while another showed the prevalence of diabetes is at least 5% higher among Veterans than the general population. Expanding programs like Food is Medicine at VA could address the impact of diet-related disease and food insecurity among Veterans while evaluating their impact for building the case to embed these programs into a fully integrated healthcare delivery system.

“At VA, we know comprehensive and innovative nutrition programs like Food is Medicine help Veterans maintain healthy lives and achieve food security,” Slover said. “We are committed to going above and beyond to care for our Veterans and helping them create healthy habits. This is a powerful way for us to assist Veterans through a Whole Health lens.”

According to Johnson, his health journey is far from over. He wants to achieve a healthy Body Max Index by his 65th birthday and is now eating a mostly plant-based diet.  

“I still have a little weight to lose, and I’m not going to stop. My knees are feeling better, and I’m having fun gardening and learning more about healthy eating. I’m very grateful.”