Nutrition and Food
The Nutrition and Food Service Department maintains a progressive program for both preventive care and for Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT). Administrative nutrition staff, registered dietitians, and dietetic technicians are dedicated to providing quality nutrition care, food service, and education to our veterans, staff, and students. We operate in various settings - during hospitalization, in the outpatient clinic setting, and through research protocols and special programs.
Services Offered
Nutrition and Food Service takes pride in the meals we serve. Our goal is to serve you healthy, quality and satisfying meals. Good nutrition is key to good health.
Introducing Meals “YOUR” Way
Nutrition and Food Services is committed to providing a variety of healthy meal choices that have been created within your prescribed dietary requirements. We are pleased to offer you our new Select Menu Program, which allows you to select the meals you would like to receive. Your Nutrition Host/Hostess will coordinate your meal selections with you daily, based on your food preference and dietary restrictions. It is our goal to serve you healthy and nutritious meals that you enjoy and make you feel at home!
Clinical Nutrition (inpatient services and education)
The Clinical Nutrition Team (Registered Dietetic Technician and Registered Dietitian Nutritionists) screen and/or assess all Veterans admitted to the medical facility. Assessment, using the nutrition care process and physical exam, includes but is not limited to: medical and social history, dietary history and intake, height, weight history, protein and iron status, blood glucose, and cholesterol level. You will be visited by a member of our Clinical Nutrition Team during meal rounds to monitor your food intake and meal satisfaction. Nutrition education is provided for all dietary restrictions.
For more information regarding the education, contact 901 523 8990 extension 6555 OR 7337 Monday-Friday.
Outpatient Individual and Group Nutrition Counseling Services
Outpatient nutritional services are provided to Veterans at the Memphis VA Medical Center (and surrounding CBOCS) in a variety of care settings including primary care clinics, home based primary care, and spinal cord injury. The following nutrition education programs and services are available for you:
Healthy Teaching Kitchen
Hands-on education in a kitchen setting is offered for general health, diabetes, renal/kidney disease, and anti-inflammatory diets. To make an appointment contact Suzanne Bowen at 901 523 8990 extension 6735.
Individual Counseling Services
Educational services are provided for general health, pre-diabetes, diabetes, cardiac care, renal disease, cancer education, women’s health, and weight loss. Classes are provided at Memphis VAMC, surrounding CBOCS, and via telehealth. To make an appointment contact 901 523 8990 extension 7337.
MOVE!
A 16-week health and weight reduction program that encourages and educates on healthy eating and physical activity in a group setting. You may self-schedule by calling: 901-523-8990, select option #3, then option #3 again. OR contact Amanda Carmichael (901 523 8990 extension 7974)
Diabetes Self-Management Education Class
An informational class to help with managing your diabetes if you are newly diagnosed with diabetes or if you need a refresher on diabetes management. This class is offered at the Memphis VAMC and at all CBOCS. Contact Amanda Carmichael (901 523 8990 extension 7974) for an appointment.
Nutrition education is also taught by Clinical Video Telehealth (CVT). CVT services allow dietitians the ability to counsel in the community in real-time using video conferencing technology. If you are interested in participating in CVT nutrition education, please contact 901 523 8990 extension 7337 or extension 6555 for an appointment.
Nutrition and Food Service will provide veterans a meal, upon receipt of a meal ticket. Modified diets are available upon request to meet your health needs. Based on our guidelines, we serve meals with less sugar, salt and fat.
Hoptel meals and other meals (upon receipt of meal ticket) are available in the main kitchen CW 238 at the following times:
Lunch: 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Dinner: 4:30 pm - 7:00 pm
If you have any questions, concerns or suggestions about your meal or other nutrition related services please call our COOK HOTLINE at "COOK" (ext. 2665).
Nutrition and Food Service values your input. It is our pleasure to serve you.
Inpatient Nutrition
Our staff of registered dietitians and dietetic technicians works cooperatively with other healthcare professionals to promote the nutritional well being of the patients, screening each patient admitted to the hospital, assessing those with specific nutritional concerns, and providing nutrition education and counseling to individuals requiring specific diets.
Outpatient Diet Counseling
We provide nutrition counseling to the patients concerned with the special nutrition needs related to their illnesses. Ambulatory Care services include –
- One-on-one nutrition counseling with a registered dietitian – including, but not limited to general, diabetic, cardiac, and cancer education. Clinic Times are as follows and walk-in and same day appointments are available:
- VAMC-Memphis
Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Healthy Teaching Kitchen Series: Wednesday 9:00am-10:00am, Wednesday 1:00pm-2:00pm
- North Memphis Clinic – Nutrition
Wednesday, Friday 8:00 am - 3:00 pm
- NONCO Memphis Clinic – Nutrition
Monday Afternoon, Tuesday, Thursday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
- Jackson Clinic - Nutrition
Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 3:30 pm
- Interdisciplinary group classes
- Diabetes Self-Management Training Classes 2nd and 4th Monday of each month 1-4pm
- Diabetes cooking Group 1st Monday of each Month 1pm
- Memphis MOVE! Class Thursday 9:00-11:30am and Wed 2-3pm
- Jackson Clinic and all other surrounding CBOCS- MOVE!
Call 731-661-2750 to sign up and obtain class dates
Diabetes Self-Management Training Classes
Call 731-661-2750 to sign up and obtain class dates
- North Memphis Clinic – MOVE! Every Tuesday 3-4pm
Diabetes Self-Management Training Classes, 3rd Monday of each month at 2pm
- NONCO Memphis Clinic – MOVE! Every Tuesday 1-2pm
Diabetes Self-Management Training Classes, 2nd Monday of each month at 2pm