San Francisco VA Health Care System

“Our goal is to empower and support our Veterans in taking control of their health by providing educational resources and the tools they need to make healthy choices,” said Heather Haluska, Dietitian, Nutrition and Food Services.

San Francisco VA Health Care System’s (SFVAHCS) Nutrition and Food Services provides comprehensive evidenced-based nutritional services for Veterans and their families. Food and nutrition choices can impact a number of health conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure.

“Our goal is to empower and support our Veterans in taking control of their health by providing educational resources and the tools they need to make healthy choices,” said Heather Haluska, Dietitian, Nutrition and Food Services.

Veterans can find Nutrition and Food Services at the San Francisco VA Medical Center (SFVAMC) and at our Community-Based Clinics to meet Veterans’ individual needs. Personalized nutrition advice with mutually agreed upon goals are planned to support and maximize healthy choices.

Clinic locations:

San Francisco VA Medical Center: Medical Practice Clinic Dietitians: Gary Yee (415) 221-4810, ext. 2-4262

Specialty Nutrition Clinics: Janet Faccenda or Peter Mak, (415) 221-4810, ext. 2-2895 or 2-3360

San Bruno VA Clinic: Janet Faccenda, (650) 615-6001

Downtown VA Clinic: Peter Mak, (415) 221-4810, ext. 2-3360

Eureka VA Clinic: Tessa Thralls or Leah King, (707) 269-7529

Santa Rosa VA Clinic: Heather Haluska or Jenness Keller, (707) 569-2474

Clearlake VA Clinic: Karen Brooks, (415) 221-4810, ext. 2-25165

Ukiah VA Clinic: Aska Hokazono, (415) 221-4810, ext. 2-5135

 

Nutrition classes offered throughout the SFVAHCS:

Please contact a dietitian in your area if you are interested in individual counseling or participating in a nutrition class.

MOVE! Healthy Weight/Healthy Lifestyle

Learn ways to support your weight loss goals. We offer a weekly group class covering different topics each week. This class is offered at the VA Clinics in Santa Rosa, San Bruno, and Eureka, as well as at the San Francisco VA Medical Center (SFVAMC).

Living Well with Diabetes

Learn ways to keep your blood glucose levels in the target range and tune up your diabetes care plan. This class is offered at the Eureka VA Clinic, Santa Rosa VA Clinic, and at SFVAMC.

 
“Cooking Matters” cooking classes

A series of six weekly classes in which Veterans will learn how to eat healthy on a budget, receive shopping tips with a grocery store tour, learn cooking skills and techniques, and how to prepare flavorful meals seasoning with herbs and spices. Classes are offered at the Eureka VA Clinic, Santa Rosa VA clinic, and at SFVAMC. For more information about the cooking program call (415) 221-4810, ext. 3351.

 
MOVE! Strength and Wellness

Part of our MOVE!® Program, this10-week series of classes co-led by a dietitian and psychologist also includes light exercise guided by a recreational therapist. This class is offered at SFVAMC.

 
Women Veterans MOVE!

Part of our MOVE! Program, this 12-week series of classes is especially for our women Veterans. This class is offered at Santa Rosa VA Clinic and at SFVAMC.

 
MOVE! Yoga

Offered at the Eureka VA clinic and the SFVAMC, this class is specially focused on yoga for Veterans.

 
MOVE! Coach Android app is now available

The Move! Android app, available to download from the Google Play Store, complements the iOS app previously released in the Apple App Store. Both offer a portable way for Veterans to participate in MOVE! — when and where they want! It can also help VA clinicians to better partner with their Veterans to achieve health and weight goals.

MOVE! Coach includes a series of 11 self-management guides with educational videos, games and worksheets. These guides teach Veterans to set their weight management goals and track their progress using built-in self-monitoring tools. Using the app, Veterans can monitor their daily food intake, physical activity and weight—evidence-based practices that are important to successful weight management. Veterans may use the app independently or with a clinician partner in the MOVE! https://mobile.va.gov/app/move-coach

App Features:

• Self-Management Guides – educate the participant on a variety of weight-management success strategies using videos, worksheets, games, and other tools. Guides will be made available weekly or bi-weekly, based on your progression through the 19-week program.
• Weight, Diet and Physical Activity Diaries – for daily tracking of weight, diet, and physical activity.
• My Goals and Progress – participants can set weight loss and SMART goals, and see progress reports and summaries.
• How to Solve Problems – additional resources for overcoming barriers This app can be used by itself, but additional benefit may be achieved if used in combination with treatment with your healthcare provider.

 

MOVE! Coach mobile app video