A VA Health Care Innovation: Healthier Kidneys Through Your Kitchen-Earlier Nutrition Intervention for Chronic Kidney Disease.

To provide earlier nutrition intervention for chronic kidney disease (CKD), Veterans Administration (VA) Registered Dietitians (RDs) developed Healthier Kidneys Through Your Kitchen. In this program, Veterans with stage 3 CKD are identified and offered participation in a one-time class that explains CKD stages, nutrition, and physical activity to slow progression of CKD. Veterans learn about monitoring dietary protein and sodium and the importance of blood pressure and glucose control. Weight and waist circumference are measured. Participants enjoy a Healthy Teaching Kitchen demonstration where RDs prepare tasting recipes. Veterans are encouraged to meet with the RD for medical nutrition therapy, behavior change counseling, motivational interviewing, review of individual kidney laboratory values, and exercise recommendations. A postclass evaluation revealed important knowledge gaps: one-third were unaware that uncontrolled blood pressure and uncontrolled diabetes lead to kidney failure. This program is currently implemented in 14 VA clinics and has reached over 400 Veterans.