Overview
Healthy eating and drinking is an effective way to take care of yourself. To feel good and have energy for what you want to do, you need to eat the right food.
Why is food and drink important?
Your food choices can affect your physical and emotional health. Eating the right foods can help you live well.
Healthy food and drinks can not only fuel your body but also help to prevent chronic diseases and promote overall health. Healthy eating habits reduce the risk of certain diseases and improve moods and energy levels.
More
Focusing on what you consume and drink can improve your overall health. A healthy diet will reduce inflammation and pain, improve your sleep, and ease symptoms such as type 2 diabetes or heart disease. It can also lower the risk of cancer.
Each person has different nutritional needs. For example, not everyone has to lose weight or regulate blood sugar. You may have food intolerances, allergies or dislikes. You may have access to certain foods and beverages but not others, depending on your location and financial status. You might eat differently depending on where you come from or your background. You can also eat differently depending on the person who cooks and how often you dine out. You are ultimately responsible for deciding what healthy eating means to you. Your healthcare team can support you.
Take Action
It can be overwhelming to find all the information on food and drinks. Focus on your goals and how food and beverages can help you achieve those goals.
Here are some examples of healthy choices in food and drinks. Talk to your primary care provider or a VA-registered dietitian for more ideas. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein are good choices. Limit red meat and processed foods. These foods can help reduce inflammation and improve overall health.
- Plan your meals and make a shopping list of healthy whole foods. Keep to the outer aisles, where you will find fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products, and lean meats. Limit the processed foods in the middle aisles.
- Start small. For example, could you switch to water or herbal tea in place of soda? Once you achieve this goal, think about making it permanent. Set small goals to improve your Whole Health.
Explore further
- VA Healthy Teaching Kitchen YouTube videos
- Veteran Success Story: Healthy Cooking Class Spices Up Life
- Nutrition and Food Services Home
- VA National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention – Eat Wisely Page
- Find out about Whole Health Activities at your local VA facility.