Good nutrition is vital fuel for health and optimal performance for active-duty service members and Veterans who have dedicated their life for our freedoms. Unfortunately, Veterans experience unique difficulties, including mental health challenges, higher rates of food insecurity, and other chronic conditions, including cancer. Many veterans who are cancer survivors are experiencing the detrimental outcomes of food insecurity. In honor of National Veterans and Military Families Month, let’s take a moment to explore the nutrition challenges Veterans face, hear from an oncology dietitian from the U.S. Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Care System on how the VA is addressing nutrition care, and share resources available to support Veterans’ nutrition and well-being.
Factor’s Impacting Veteran’s Nutrition:
Many Veterans have very specific nutrition needs due to unique service-related challenges that impact their health.
Food Insecurity:
Sadly, Veterans aren’t immune to the food insecurity crisis that plagues our country. Veterans are 7.4% more likely than nonveterans to live in a food-insecure household. Increased chronic and mental health conditions, including suicide are associated with inadequate food availability. Food insecurity not only increases cancer risk, but it also increases the risk of undesirable outcomes in cancer survivors, such as increased health care costs, hospital stays, complications, and cancer progression. The VA is present on the front lines working to solve this food access emergency by connecting Veterans with food and providing several resources. Other organizations, such as Blue Star Families and Veterans of Foreign Wars, have stepped up to advocate for access to food and provide resources for Veterans and their families as well.
Cancer Risk:
After serving our country, some Veterans may be at increased risk for several cancers because of exposure to hazards during their military service, such as Agent Orange, burn pits, asbestos, radiation, and other chemicals. These cancers or other health challenges may develop within months or up to several years after they were exposed to the hazard. It is important for Veterans to talk with their doctor to determine their cancer risk and identify a plan for screenings, tests, or lifestyle changes that may be helpful to detect cancers early and to reduce their cancer risk.
Diet Quality & Chronic Health Conditions:
Long term diet quality data from the USDA has identified that Veterans overall have a lower quality of diet than their nonveteran counterparts. Compared to nonveteran counterparts, Veterans consume more added sugars and solid fats, and they consume less fruits, vegetables and whole grains. This is noteworthy, as this diet pattern is associated with an increased risk of heart disease, cancer and type II diabetes. Thankfully, the VA provides several resources that can help Veterans improve the quality of their diet.
Registered Dietitian Caitlin Karlovich from U.S. Veterans Administration Health System:
Today I’m honored to speak with one of the VA’s skilled registered dietitians: Caitlin Karlovich MS, RD, CNSC. Caitlin is a Clinical Dietitian at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System, where she provides nutrition care to Veterans and their families who are living with cancer. Enjoy my interview with Caitlin as we explore how the VA is addressing nutrition care for Veterans living with cancer, how Veterans can access oncology nutrition care at the VA and available nutrition resources the VA offers to help support Veterans.
Caitlin, how long have you worked at the VA?
7 years (2 years at the Minneapolis VA and 5 years at the Jesse Brown Chicago VA)
What is your go-to breakfast?
Scrambled eggs with cottage cheese and avocado
What is your favorite activity in your down time?
Going for a walk around the lakes [in Minneapolis] or trying new restaurants and coffee shops
What would you like veterans to know about working with a VA dietitian?
The Veteran is at the heart of everything we do. Whenever we make a decision at the VA, we ask ourselves one question above all else: what does it mean for the Veterans we serve, and for their families, caregivers, and survivors? Nutrition care at the VA is easily accessible, and a VA dietitian is willing to meet you where you’re at in your nutrition journey.
What are some reasons why a Veteran who is living with cancer or is a cancer survivor may see a dietitian at the VA?
Nutrition is an important part of cancer treatment. Proper nutrition can improve treatment tolerance, prevent unplanned treatment breaks, and decrease the risk of infection. Side effects from cancer treatment can make eating more challenging; a dietitian can provide tips to improve calorie and protein intake while accounting for other health conditions, dietary preferences and eating styles. Nutrition also plays an important part in cancer survivorship as a healthy and balanced diet is important for overall health. A dietitian can help implement a sustainable and nutrient dense eating plan while correcting nutrient deficiencies and managing other chronic conditions.
How does a Veteran get to work with a dietitian at the VA?
All Veterans have access to a VA dietitian. No referral or consultation is needed; patients can directly schedule/self-refer. Veterans can contact their local VA to schedule an appointment or log into MyHealtheVet and send a Secure Message to their PACT team.
What can a Veteran expect when they meet with a VA dietitian?
A Veteran can expect questions about dietary intake, food preferences/intolerance, and dietary supplement usage. This helps the dietitian gain an understanding of dietary habits and patterns so they can provide individualized nutrition recommendations.
What is one top nutrition tip you would give a Veteran who is living with cancer?
Treat food like medication, in other words what you eat and the amounts you eat are non-negotiable. Eating can be challenging when living with cancer, but the body cannot undergo and recover from treatment adequately without proper nourishment.
Does the VA have any resources (cancer nutrition and general nutrition) that Veterans can access (from home, online, etc.)?
The National Cancer Institute has an ‘Eating Hints: Before, During and After Cancer Treatment’ booklet with tips for eating well during cancer treatment and easy, healthy recipes.
Are there any other nutrition programs, resources, or classes that you would like to share with Veterans?
The VA offers a Healthy Teaching Kitchen program where Veterans can learn basic cooking skills and taste healthy and delicious recipes. The VA also offers group nutrition education classes for diabetes and kidney disease.
For additional information on VA Nutrition and Food Services, please visit: Nutrition and Food Services Home, including Cancer and Nutrition which offers nutrition resources for navigating several common cancer and cancer treatment related side effects, recipes and more. The VA also hosts Whole Health, which provides a whole-person care approach to support individual health and well-being goals.
Many Veterans have specialized nutrition requirements, especially when they are cancer survivors, and may need additional support. At the Nutrition Education Services Center, we aim to support Veterans by providing nutrition education and resources and connecting Veterans to community resources or other organizations that may be helpful for them. This often includes referring Veterans to the dedicated dietitian team at the VA for ongoing nutrition care. Together, we can foster a healthier future for our Veterans, as a well-fueled Veteran is a thriving Veteran. Join us in supporting Veterans by ensuring they have access to nutritious food, the nutrition care and resources they deserve. Thank you to all Veterans across our country for their bravery and service this National Veterans and Military Families Month and every month.
Through LLS’s Nutrition Education Services Center patients and caregivers of all cancer types can receive a free nutrition consultation with a registered dietitian who has expertise in oncology nutrition.
If you are a Veteran in crisis, or are concerned about one, please contact the Veterans Crisis Line. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is also available for all people in need.
LLS Resources:
Food and Nutrition During Cancer Treatment
Food Assistance Resources and Tips
Caitlin Karlovich is a Registered Dietitian with over seven years of experience working for the VA. She currently works at the Minneapolis VA as an oncology dietitian but previously worked as an ICU dietitian at the Jesse Brown Chicago VA. She has a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and a master’s degree in nutrition. She is also a certified nutrition support clinician specializing in parenteral and enteral nutrition. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, trying new restaurants, and spending time with friends & family.
