Health Centers and Nutrition

The role of health centers

Health centers are focused on addressing the root causes of illness and improving the health of their communities, including a focus on nutrition and food-based interventions. Good nutrition is important to overall health and well-being.

As part of our work to Make America Healthy Again, we are asking health centers to join us in putting nutrition, prevention, and healthy living at the center of health. 

Supporting nutrition through primary care

Health centers provide comprehensive, patient-centered care that can help people establish healthy eating patterns and prevent or manage chronic health conditions.

Nutrition services can help to prevent, manage, and treat diseases and conditions through nutritional and food-based interventions. These services may include:

  • Nutritional assessment and treatment, including counseling and patient education
  • Medical nutrition therapy
  • Nutrition instruction (for example, to promote healthy eating and meal preparation, improve food literacy)
  • Weight management programs (for example, group visits)
  • Nutritional and food-based interventions to help prevent, manage, and treat diet-related chronic diseases and promote health

Connecting patients to food and nutrition resources

Explore resources that can help your health center identify community and patient needs, strengthen partnerships, and incorporate nutrition into care.

  • Nutrition-Focused Care (PDF - 336 KB) (HRSA) – Read about the role of the Health Center Program in how HRSA is increasing our focus on nutrition and food-based interventions
  • Dietary Guidelines for Americans (PDF - 3 MB) (HHS and USDA) – The Dietary Guidelines for Americans prioritizes whole, healthy, and nutritious foods and limits highly processed foods, added sugars, and refined carbohydrates
  • Eat Real Food Toolkit (HHS and USDA) – Find graphics and sample language that can be used to share the important message that better health begins on your plate
  • Eat Healthy (HHS) – Learn the basics and benefits of healthy eating and find practical steps for taking action
  • Nutrition.gov (USDA) – Find easy-to-read, reliable information on food, nutrition, and healthy eating
  • The Real Food Show (HHS) – A cooking series hosted by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. that demonstrates ways to make healthy, affordable cooking simple and accessible for Americans
  • Nutrition Research and Programs (USDA) – Explore resources on nutrition programs, dietary guidance, food assistance, and research that can support healthy eating and food security
  • Food is Medicine (HHS) – Explore resources, promising practices, tools, and research on food and nutrition interventions that can help manage diet-related chronic diseases and promote health and well-being
  • Telehealth Nutrition Care and Services Best Practice Guide (HHS): A resource on telehealth nutrition services for health care providers
  • Telehealth Nutrition Information for Patients (HHS): A resource on telehealth nutrition services for patients
  • IHS Produce Prescription Programs (IHS) – Learn how produce prescription programs can increase access to fruits and vegetables, address food insecurity and diet-related health needs, and support nutrition and well-being in American Indian and Alaska Native communities
  • VHA Nutrition and Food Services (VA) – Programs that create an environment where all Veterans are food and nutrition secure
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