When you enter the grocery store have you ever wondered how to choose the best produce? Our food environment today is one where we can pretty much get any food anytime we want it. Listen to Episode 38 from the Fresh Focus team where Dietitian Zachari Breeding talks about how to choose produce to fit your needs. The benefits of seasonal produce include being higher in nutrient and flavor content and the seasonality of foods is dependent on the climate and the land where it is grown. You can searc...
Aug 14, 2021•8 min•Season 7Ep. 4
How many plants are we eating on a routine basis? How many colorful varieties of fruits and vegetables are we consuming on a daily basis? Eating a diet rich in vegetables and whole fruits has countless health benefits . These plants are packed with vitamins and minerals that our bodies need on a daily basis. The more color you eat, the better. Each color of vegetable represents a different phytonutrient. A phytonutrient is a broad term for compounds that are produced in plants that are beneficia...
Aug 13, 2021•20 min•Season 7Ep. 3
Ever tasted a dish and thought to yourself how flavorful it was? Herbs are often used to enhance a dish and raise the flavor profile to a new level. Herbs are sometimes an afterthought when it comes to meal planning and preparation. They have been used for thousands of years for their medicinal properties. Herbs add flavor to cooking without adding any fat or sodium. Not only do they add great flavor to your plate, but offer a wide array of health benefits as well. Growing herbs at home doesn’t ...
Aug 12, 2021•23 min•Season 7Ep. 2
Do you ever seek out your family for advice? Although our Fresh Focus Dietitians are the specialists on planning your plate the healthy way, getting back to your own family roots can help show you how to begin before you even pick up your plate. What better way to kick off the season of warmer weather with being able to grab some fresh veggies to put on your plate from your very own back yard! Listen in to episode 35 while Dietitians at Fresh Focus talk with some of their own family members on t...
Aug 11, 2021•24 min•Season 7Ep. 1
Description: During a nutrition assessment, your Registered Dietitian Nutritionist will ask a lot of questions to the Veteran, but also to their caregiver. Being a caregiver comes with a unique set of challenges. Sometimes, a referral to the Caregiver Support Program will be made from your Dietitian. Listen in to episode 34 of Fresh Focus , as we welcome Jonnah Coffel to shed light on what to do if you are experiencing some caregiver burden, and what resources are available for assistance. Host ...
May 22, 2021•9 min•Season 6Ep. 6
Description: Families and caregivers are the Veteran’s support system and help to prevent or manage chronic illness with healthy eating. So whether you find yourself brand new in that caregiver role, or maybe have been considered a caregiver for years, we want to support you. Listen as Home Based Primary Care Dietitian, Amanda, goes through 5 tips for taking care of yourself while you are taking care of your veteran. Host Bio: The Dietitians at Fresh Focus welcome Amanda Settle Registered Dietit...
May 21, 2021•8 min•Season 6Ep. 5
Description: If you have ever been distracted while eating you know how easy it can happen to any one of us, but when we are concerned when a loved one may not be eating enough, we want to focus on how to help them reduce distracted eating. Listen to episode #32 for tips and tricks on keeping focused at the table. Host Bio: The Fresh Focus Dietitians Beth Blair and Lindsey Purcell welcome Bethany Dawson, Home Based Primary Care Dietitian from Louis A Johnson VA in Clarksburg, WV....
May 20, 2021•10 min•Season 6Ep. 4
Description: As a caregiver or someone in a veteran’s support system, you may notice your loved one having difficulty chewing or swallowing certain food items. Veterans with neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, and dementia are more likely to have difficulty swallowing, or what we call Dysphagia. In episode #31, Michele Martin, Marion VA Community Living Center Dietitian interviews Nicole Ziarnek, Speech therapist. Nicole shares a wealth...
May 19, 2021•10 min•Season 6Ep. 3
Have ever been sitting at the kitchen table with your veteran loved one and notice them having difficulty feeding themselves? If you are nodding YES, then you will understand how hard it is to figure out your role as the caregiver when your Veteran needs some additional support with eating their favorite foods. Episode #30 gives tips and tricks for making meaningful modifications at the table to increase confidence and get them eating again.
May 19, 2021•9 min•Season 6Ep. 2
When people think of seeing a Registered Dietitian, most often we think of eating healthier or losing weight, however for some of our veterans, gaining too much weight is not their problem it is actually quite the opposite. More often than you may think, we do see veterans who are dealing with malnutrition or unintended weight loss and are actually needing to find ways to increase food intake, and we are here to help with that too. Episode #29 provides our top 5 tips for what do when the one you...
May 18, 2021•12 min•Season 6Ep. 1
There can be so much information and misinformation out there when it comes to eating for weight loss, so we brought in Registered Dietitian and Certified Specialist in Obesity and Weight Management, PJ Pivec, to help clear up some common myths and give you some actionable items to take away. PJ talks all about how weight management (and weight loss) comes down to an energy balance, including how to choose foods that not only help keep you satisfied but also can help keep volume of food up while...
Mar 08, 2021•13 min•Season 5Ep. 4
Description: It’s common to hear that high sodium items should be avoided to promote heart health, but this episode dives into the “why” behind that recommendation, along with other heart healthy eating tips! Joining us is Lisa Conticello, cardiology dietitian at the Bay Pines VA is interviewed by Dietetic Intern, Megan Rivenburg. Lisa works specifically with Veterans with heart failure, Veterans enrolled in cardiac rehab, and Veterans enrolled in general cardiology clinics. Since she also leads...
Mar 07, 2021•8 min•Season 5Ep. 3
The Fresh Focus team welcome Robin LaCroix, Dietitians from the Wayfort Junction VA in Vermont and Melanya Souza from the VA Medical Center in Gainesville, Florida to share their experiences with the Healthy Teaching Kitchen (HTK) program. HTK is dedicated to improving Veterans’ skills and confidence to prepare healthy meals. Increasing Veterans’ self-efficacy with regards to food selection and preparation in a home-like environment to develop life-long eating habits. Taking nutrition education ...
Mar 06, 2021•10 min•Season 5Ep. 2
Description: The Fresh Focus team welcomes YaQutullah Ibraheem Muhammad MS, RDN, LD from the VA Arcadia Primary Care Clinic to talk about adding diversity to your plate. This involves looking at alternative protein options, exploring local farmers markets, visiting ethnic grocery stores, and “vibe with veggies” to make your plate unique.
Mar 05, 2021•15 min•Season 5Ep. 1
MOVE’s core ideas are encouraging healthy eating, increasing physical activity, developing behavior change skills and promoting even small weight losses with an easy to follow evidenced based program. Take a listen as our husband and wife duo wrap up the lessons learned in episodes 19-23 and put some goals out on the table.
Jan 25, 2021•15 min•Season 4Ep. 6
Knowledge is power when learning about our patterns and behaviors, especially in relation to food. This can be a powerful tool in your MOVE to a healthier you toolbelt. Take a listen as Dr. Kadela talks about dietary habits and the psychology behind eating.
Jan 24, 2021•22 min•Season 4Ep. 5
Unfortunately, most people don’t get enough fiber in their diet, even though it is a crucial part of our MOVE to a healthier you toolbelt. Wondering how to increase your intake? Listen in as Dietitian Tori shares tips and tricks to help you meet your daily fiber goals.
Jan 24, 2021•11 min•Season 4Ep. 4
In our MOVE to a healthier you series, we take a dive into the important tool we should be using multiple times a day, water. Listen as our Dietetic Intern gives tips for increasing fluid intake, and specifically ways to liven up water.
Jan 23, 2021•9 min•Season 4Ep. 3
Physical activity is a very popular topic, but oftentimes it is made 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. It’s also important to focus on how it can improve overall health, function, and quality of life. This episode gets you active in reaching your goals with Dietitians Tori, Sieger and Lindsey.
Jan 22, 2021•16 min•Season 4Ep. 2
MOVE! Weight management program is a lifestyle intervention for weight management. In this episode, we are going to refer to it as our blueprint for success. MOVE isn’t just a “diet” or an exercise program its really 3 combined components of nutrition, behavior change, and physical activity. Listen in as Dietitians Lindsey and Beth discuss how we make the plan to come to life
Jan 22, 2021•11 min•Season 4Ep. 1
The holidays can be a whirlwind, even if this year with just a small household group. After the dust settles and the dishes are washed, it can feel like such a crash of adrenaline. After hours of cooking over the holidays, you probably don’t want to cook for the rest of the week. We’ve all found ourselves in that boat a time or two. Thankfully, when you open up the fridge all you see are leftovers! Eating out of your normal routine during the holidays can make individuals with diabetes feel unea...
Dec 03, 2020•12 min•Season 3Ep. 6
Whew, you are 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. Remember when you get home from the grocery store, try to get the prep-work already done so you can simply open the fridge and enjoy your produce throughout the week. Here are some tips on produce as you put away those grocerie...
Dec 02, 2020•13 min•Season 3Ep. 5
What if we told you that smart grocery shopping 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. Important steps in making a shopping list: · Start by checking over your menu and preparing a list ingredients and food items you need, including amounts. · Second, take an inventory of what you have on hand. · Keep pantry items such as ...
Dec 02, 2020•13 min•Season 3Ep. 4
It’s been a whirlwind of a year and whether you live alone or are continuing to practice social distancing, the holidays are going to look a little different this year. Whatever this year’s holiday season brings, you can certainly scale it down while still enjoying some of those traditional favorites in a smaller group. Pair down the meal with these tips: Protein: Unless the protein source is breaded or fried, it will not raise your blood sugars. If it is breaded and fried, then allow for about ...
Dec 02, 2020•12 min•Season 3Ep. 3
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. Just remember no one food or beverage is necessarily excluded for someone with diabetes. It is important to balance between starchy foods like stuffing and yams and non-starchy vegetables such as green beans, asparagus, broccoli. And to be mindful ...
Dec 01, 2020•10 min•Season 3Ep. 2
The holidays can be a magical time, but how often do you get excited and then when they roll around fears about your health start to creep into your head? If you are a person with Diabetes you might also worry about controlling blood sugars. These are completely common thoughts, 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. Season three of the Fresh Focus Podcast was created by Marion VA Healthcare System Diabetes Educat...
Dec 01, 2020•12 min•Season 3Ep. 1
Congratulations! You have just delivered your adorable baby! Now you are faced with the decision on breastfeeding vs. formula-feeding. There can be a lot of pressure to do one or the other. I think new moms don’t necessarily expect the opinions that come with making that choice. Just remember a fed baby is best, no matter your planned choice of feeding. Although breastfeeding and nursing are often described as “natural,” it might not feel that way for everyone. For some it comes very easy, “like...
Aug 28, 2020•17 min•Season 2Ep. 6
Breastfeeding can be an awesome bonding experience with your baby. Although it provides baby with great nutrition, it can be overwhelming, frustrating, and brings up many questions for mamas and their support systems. Eating healthy does not affect the quality of nutrients in your breast milk, but it is important for new moms to eat healthy to maintain energy levels (hello lack of sleep from midnight feedings). In order to take the best care of your baby, you have to take care of yourself as wel...
Aug 28, 2020•18 min•Season 2Ep. 5
While pregnancy may seem like the perfect time to eat extra portions of dessert and veg out on the couch, it is actually one of the most important times to prioritize your health! There are many contributors to your health, but one very important one is physical activity and exercise. In fact, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that pregnant women participate in 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week. Regular physical activity during your pregnancy is i...
Aug 28, 2020•14 min•Season 2Ep. 4
Basic pregnancy nutrition is important to keep you and baby healthy. When you get that positive pregnancy test, your body is already undergoing many changes. Right from the beginning, hormones can cause some unpleasant side effects. The most common being morning sickness. Morning sickness can be different for everyone and can happen during any time of day. The most important thing is to make sure you are getting adequate nutrition. Ideally you want to be getting good sources of folic acid, calci...
Aug 28, 2020•17 min•Season 2Ep. 3
