Nutrition Classes

Class Details:

• All classes are instructed by Registered Dietitian Nutritionists
• Unless otherwise stated all classes are
  • Virtual offered via VVC, accessible with phone, computer  or tablet
  • Self-referral, no consult is required
  • Require registration for scheduled appointment

Class Cost:

There are NO Co-Pays for virtual appointments.
 

Registration:

You can self-refer to these classes, but an appointment is required. To register:

• Contact Nutrition Scheduling at  503-273-5112 .

• OR Contact your provider or care team and ask them to enter a consult to schedule into a group.

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Healthy Teaching Kitchen (HTK)

Making healthy food choices is the #1 thing you can do for your health. Learning how to cook can be one step towards getting healthier foods on your plate, 95% of HTK participants report learning new recipes that will help them on their journey to healthy living. In the Healthy Teaching Classes a dietitian will provide live, virtual or in-person, cooking classes for individuals who wish to increase their nutrition knowledge, cooking skills, and build confidence in cooking at home. 

Who can attend?

• Classes are open to VA-enrolled Veterans and one support person per class.

Is there a cost?

• If you have a co-pay for VA visits, this may apply to HTK cooking classes.

Healthy Teaching Kitchen Basics Classes

Virtual Demonstration Classes: A 90-minute class offered once every month via VA Video Connect (VVC). 

• 1st Tuesday each month at 1:00 p.m.

In-Person Demonstration Classes: A 90-minute, 6-week class series offered multiple times throughout the year at Portland VA. 

• Tuesdays (6 consecutive weeks)
• 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• Next series beginning on April 7, 2026!

Healthy Teaching Kitchen Seasonal Classes

Cooking from the Garden:

A 90-minute, 4-week in-person class series at Portland VA.

2026 Class Series begins June 8, 2026 from 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Eating for Improved Energy

Discover the power of nutrition this National Nutrition Month®. Join us for an energizing nutrition presentation where you’ll learn how to fuel your body for sustained energy throughout the day. Discover practical nutrition strategies, smart meal planning tips, and the science behind foods that help you feel your best.

When: March 16, 2026, starting at 3:30 p.m.
Sign up here

Make Meal Prep Easy

Discover the power of nutrition this National Nutrition Month®. Join us for this helpful nutrition presentation where you’ll learn how to make meal prep stress-free, time-saving, and delicious. We’ll cover practical tips for planning balanced meals, choosing versatile ingredients, and creating a routine that works for your lifestyle. Discover how the power of nutrition—and a little prep—can help you eat well every day with ease!

When: March 26, 2026, starting at 3:30 p.m.
Sign up here

Diabetes Prevention Class

This class reviews how nutrition impacts diabetes risk and provides education on healthy lifestyle such as healthy eating, maintaining a healthy weight, and increasing physical activity.

When: 2nd Wednesday at 2:15 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Sign up here

Diabetes Basics Nutrition Classes

This class reviews how nutrition impacts diabetes and provides foundational strategies for improving diet to manage blood sugar. 

When: 4th Tuesday at 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Heart-Healthy Classes

This class focuses on the basics of heart-healthy eating to improve cardiovascular risk factors such as cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood pressure.  

When: 2nd Monday at 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Exploring Plant-Based Eating Class

This class provides education on a plant-based eating pattern including the benefits, key nutrients, and foods recommended with tips and actionable steps to get started.

When: 4th Monday at 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Nutrition and Chronic Pain

This class provides nutrition education for those interested in improving their diet to reduce inflammation while learning more about healthy dietary and lifestyle habits.

When: 2nd Monday at 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Nutrition Made Easy (4-Class Series)

Each week during this 4 week series this class will cover nutrition information and lifestyle skills for improving your health such as nutrition basics, meal planning, grocery shopping and meal prepping.  

When: Monday at 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

*New series begins beginning of each month on Mondays (4 consecutive weeks)*

Mediterranean Diet Class

This class provides information about the Mediterranean-Style eating pattern including types of foods included, benefits of this pattern such as supporting brain and heart health, plus meal planning tips and strategies for incorporating into your daily life. 

When: 2nd Wednesday at 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. 

Intuitive Eating Classes

Intuitive Eating is a non-diet approach to health with a focus on improving your relationship to food and body by giving yourself permission to eat in harmony with your mind/body & food, letting your internal hunger and fullness cues guide you, eating due to physical, rather than emotional, cues and being able to select foods that feel good and energize your body. Intuitive Eating is offered as a one-time introduction class followed by a 12-week group series. Enroll in the Introduction to Intuitive Eating class to learn if intuitive eating is the right fit for you. 

Introduction to Intuitive Eating

When: 3rd Wednesday at 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Intuitive Eating Program (12 Week Series)

When: Thursday at 12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.