National Nutrition Month: Benefis Professionals Educate and Nourish

March is National Nutrition Month.

Patients often struggle to stay nourished during or after their medical treatment, so the Husted Teaching Kitchen at Sletten Cancer Institute offers a place where they can learn tips on how to manage their nutritional needs from dietitians and chefs.

For the estimated 80% of cancer patients who experience malnutrition during treatment, SCI aims to empower patients through the sharing of culinary skills and holistic nutrition education, as well as building a sense of community among patients going through the same issues.

The Teaching Kitchen classes offer strategies on how patients can incorporate different flavors, textures, and nutrients into their diet to help alleviate some of the changes they might experience. Classes include hands-on activities such as knife skills, accurate measurements, a variety of cooking techniques, and how to plate beautiful and delicious food. We hope through these culinary classes we can help patients feel empowered to take control of their lives while building relationships and discovering the fun in cooking.

The Teaching Kitchen opened its doors to students for the first time in 2024.

Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine Montana students stepped into the kitchen to bolster their knowledge about nutrition and health. The Farm to Clinician Culinary Medicine Program brought together second-year medical students, dietetic students and professionals, and culinary experts to explore the “food as medicine” principles in healthcare.

The Teaching Kitchen offers classes on a rotating basis exploring the following topics:

• Cancer Survivorship and Prevention
• Cancer Symptom Management
• Low-Sodium Cooking
• Diabetes Nutrition
• Kidney Disease Nutrition
• Culinary Medicine (for Touro Medical students only)

At Benefis, our registered dietitians provide guidance and leadership to teams throughout the system to ensure our patients’ nutritional needs are met.

Each member of the Clinical Nutrition and Food Services teams at Benefis plays an important role in providing nutritional support and education to our patients, residents, employees, and visitors. Thank you for all you do to keep our community well-fed!

If you are interested in learning more about Teaching Kitchen classes, fill out the interest form by clicking here.