Vision loss diminishes the abilities of the veterans we serve in accomplishing daily tasks. One of these tasks are meal preparation. Without safe and easy access to healthy food and the means to prepare those foods our veterans suffer. When we cannot eat healthy, we do not feel like we can achieve our peak potential. The Blinded American Veterans Foundation has compiled a list of online resources that offer assistance with meal planning, healthy recipes to prepare as well as guidance and education on the importance of diet and physical activity to live a healthy and fulfilling life. The goal of the Blinded American Veterans Foundation and these resources is to put healthy home-made meals well within the reach of the blind and visually impaired veterans that we serve. Our intent is to aid veterans in eating healthier; we know that when our veterans are healthy, they require less visits to the doctor and have a noticeable increase in the quality of their lives.

At the Blinded American Veterans Foundation, we encourage blind and visually impaired veterans as well as their caregivers to reach out to their local VA Blind Rehabilitation Outpatient Specialist. The BROS can assist in providing kitchen prosthetics like long oven mitts to make cooking a much safer prospect.

Health and Human Services has an excellent site that provides not only recipes and meal planning but is a resource and conduit to other programs and organizations that can assist in becoming healthier through diet and physical activity.

hhs.gov/fitness/resource-center/nutrition-resources/index.html

Move is the Veterans Administration’s national weight management program.

Move.va.gov

Nutrition.gov is a USDA-sponsored website that offers credible information to help you make healthy eating choices.

nutrition.gov

Meals on Wheels operates in virtually every community in America to address senior hunger and isolation.

Mealsonwheelsamerica.org

If you have diabetes the following links will help with meal planning.

The Mayo Clinic has online tools to help you create a healthy eating program.

mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/in-depth/diabetes-diet/art-20044295

The American Diabetes Association is an excellent resource to learn about the role of diet while living with diabetes as well as resources to assist with meal planning.

diabetes.org/nutrition/healthy-food-choices-made-easy

diabetes.org/healthy-living/recipes-nutrition

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases is a great resource to learn about diabetes, diet, and the importance of physical activity.

niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/diet-eating-physical-activity