Nutrition

Physical activity is a very popular topic, but oftentimes it's made out to be overcomplicated and overwhelming for those trying to learn more about it. Being active is about so much more than just losing fat, gaining muscle and looking good. A simpler approach, like what the MOVE! program offers, is to focus on improving overall health, function and quality of life.

Columbia VA Health Care System’s nutrition and food services wanted to do something special for its Community Living Center Veteran patients. The idea of a “MockDonald” menu was a welcomed change.

MOVE! Weight management program is a lifestyle intervention for weight management. In this Fresh Focus episode, we are going to refer to it as our blueprint for success.

The holidays can be a whirlwind, even this year with just a small household group. After the dust settles and the dishes are washed, it can feel like a crash of adrenaline. You've spent hours cooking and you probably don’t want to cook for the rest of the week. Thankfully, when you open up the fridge all you see are leftovers. This Fresh Focus podcast covers how to scale back on that holiday meal.

You're back from the grocery store and your countertop is full! Now, what to do with all the food you just purchased? Episode 17 of the Fresh Focus Podcast dives into meal prepping and give tips on how to be successful with the process during the upcoming holidays.

What if we told you that smart shopping at the grocery store actually starts before you leave the house? And this year you may not even need to leave the house. On-line shopping is a great option for anyone who has small children, is pressed for time, or has health concerns.

Whatever this year’s holiday season meals bring, you can certainly scale it down while still enjoying some of those traditional favorites in a smaller group.

Are you hosting a holiday meal or party this year? Don’t get overwhelmed! Our Marion VA Health Care System Diabetes Educators are able to assist in the meal planning if your guests include people with diabetes in episode 14 of the Fresh Focus Podcast.

The holidays can be a magical time, but if you are a person with Diabetes, you might be worrying about controlling your blood sugar. This is a common thought, but the holidays don’t have to be a time for throwing in the towel on all the hard work you’ve done the rest of the year.

In the final episode to season one of Fresh Focus, Lindsey Purcell, a PACT dietitian, shares her tips for success in putting the Healthy Plate Method into action. In short, the power of small changes can make a big impact over time.

In this episode of Fresh Focus, Tori Stewart, a home-based cardiac rehab dietitian, lays out the different types of protein, why they are important, and provides insight into how much we should be aiming to eat each day.

Fat is one of our macronutrients (along with protein and carbohydrates), and it is an essential part of our intake. It has many functions within the body, including organ protection, providing fuel, coating nerve cells, making up organs (our brains are roughly 60% fat), making up cells (lipid bilayer), nutrient & phytochemical absorption, skin/hair/nail health, hormone balance, etc.