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Southern Arizona Veterans Health Update for Friday, June 6, 2025

Foreign Medical Program claims will be paid by direct deposit

If you’re a Veteran living or traveling abroad and receive care for service-connected disabilities and related conditions under the Foreign Medical Program (FMP), you will be reimbursed by direct deposit.

Although only U.S. bank accounts are supported for electronic payments, we are working to add direct deposit if you have an international bank account.

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Healthy eating can improve mental health

We often hear nutrition is important for our physical health, but did you know it also affects mental health? Nutrition has been connected to behavior, mood and the treatment of mental illness.

Studies have found that a highly processed diet can put us at a higher risk of developing anxiety or depression. A highly processed diet includes foods that are high in sugar, fat, and sodium and is low in produce, whole grains and other healthful whole foods.

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Tips to help you stay safe in the summer heat!

Arizona is one of the hottest places on earth from May to September. Heat-Related Illnesses (HRI) are common during the summer. Approximately 4,298 people visit Arizona emergency rooms every year because of HRIs.

Tips to stay safe in the Arizona summer heat

Check out the Arizona Department of Health Extreme Weather Heat Safety web page for additional information on heat preparedness resources and information. 

June is fresh fruits and vegetable month 

Fruits and vegetables are an excellent source of nutrition and are an essential part of a healthy diet. They are naturally low in calories, fat, sodium, and provide nutrients including vitamins, minerals, fiber, prebiotics, and antioxidants. Consumption of fruits and vegetables can help reduce risk serious health conditions including heart disease, high blood pressure, some types of cancer, gastrointestinal conditions, and weight management. Fruits and vegetables come in a variety of forms: fresh, dried, canned, and frozen, and each form has its benefits.

Why fresh fruits and vegetables are a great choice:

• Maximize your nutrition by consuming fruits and vegetables in their natural form. Flavor, color, and nutrients are often preserved and enhanced when they are fresh.
• Convenience and portability. Many fresh fruits and vegetables are ready to eat or require minimal preparation (washing and cutting). Bananas, oranges, apples, cherry tomatoes, and carrot/celery sticks are easy options to have on hand. By packing snacks, you can avoid last minute decisions or temptations (from a vending machine or gas station) when you are out and about.
• Add variety in color, texture, and aroma during meals and snacks. Ways to add fresh fruits and vegetables:
  • Simply garnish beverages with lemon or lime wedges or cucumber slices for an extra boost flavor and brightness.
  • Sprinkle some sliced green onions on dishes.
  • Top fresh berries or sliced avocado on your salad for extra flavor, texture, and visual interest.
  • Use a crinkle knife or cutter to make even more fun shapes!
• Ideas for additions or substitutions for your meals:
  • Bulk up your sandwich by adding extra fresh vegetables such as lettuce, tomatoes, sprouts, cucumbers, or sliced onions.
  • In place of chips, prepare a veggie platter using carrots, celery, jicama sticks, fresh sliced bell pepper slivers, and snap peas. Serve with hummus or dip.
  • Round out your meal with a quick side salad using fresh lettuces, vegetables, and berries.

To learn more about maximizing fruits and vegetables in your diet, check out the American Heart Association guide Add Color with Fruits and Vegetables. 

Cool for the summer: bean powered pasta salad

Looking for a refreshing, fiber packed dish to beat the summer heat? Try this healthy bean and pasta salad, perfect for picnics, lunches or light dinners. It features whole grain pasta tossed with a colorful medley of fresh vegetables plus hearty protein packed beans. A simple homemade vinaigrette ties it all together with bright, zesty flavor. Additionally it can easily be modified to add your favorite vegetables – think bell peppers, shredded carrots or pepperoncini as alternatives. It’s a delicious way to stay nourished, meet your fiber and protein needs and stay energized all summer.  Pasta Salad with Beans Yield: 6 1.5cup servings Ingredients: 1 cup (8oz) whole grain pasta (fusilli, bowtie or penne are all great options) 1 can (12oz) low sodium Garbanzo beans 1 can (12oz) low sodium cannellini (white northern) beans 1 English cucumber 1 cup Grape tomatoes to taste ¼ cup chopped parsley and cilantro 1 small red onion, thinly sliced Olives to taste (green or black depending on preference) ¼ cup Feta cheese Dressing: ½ cup olive oil ¼ cup red wine vinegar ½ teaspoon oregano, salt, pepper red pepper flakes to taste ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard Juice of 2 lemons Instructions: Boil 2-4QT water. Add 8oz (1/2 box) pasta and cook according to instructions on box. Drain and rinse garbanzo and white northern beans and add to large bowl Cut grape tomatoes in half or to desired size and add to bowl Peel cucumber and cut into half moons and add to bowl (optional; leave some of the skin on for extra fiber) Thinly slice red onion into half moons and add to bowl Roughly chop cilantro and parsley and add to bowl Add feta cheese and olives Once cooked, add cooled pasta Toss to combine then add dressing For the Dressing: Combine olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, lemon juice and spices with whisk.

National Creative Arts Festival empowers Veterans through healing and connection

Safford Veteran Engagement and Townhall

Join us on Friday, June 27, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the American Legion Post 32 located at 531 South 11th Ave, Safford, AZ. The engagement townhall will provide Veterans with resources and assistance with eligibility and enrollment, whole health, suicide prevention, women’s health, and disability claims. For questions, email the SAVAHCS Public Affairs Office at pao.savahcs@va.gov.

New Class!

Take Charge of Your Health: Join Our Diabetes Management 

Are you interested in learning more about diabetes, how it affects your body, and how diet and medication play a role in managing it? This class is designed with you in mind!

Our dedicated SAVAHCS Dietitians and Pharmacists have teamed up to offer a comprehensive Diabetes Management Class, available in two convenient formats:

• In-Person: TUC INTERD PHARM/NUTR DM CLASS
• Virtual (VA Video Connect): TUC VVC INTD PHRM/NTR DM CLASS

Both options are offered monthly to fit your schedule. To register, call 520-792-1450 ext. 1-3485 or contact your PACT Registered Dietitian (RD).

Healthy Teaching Kitchen Update

Join one of our most popular programs where Veterans are inspired to make healthier food choices through engaging virtual cooking demonstrations led by SAVAHCS Dietitians.

While the class is now offered quarterly, it continues to be a great opportunity to learn practical cooking skills and nutrition tips from the comfort of your home.

• Next Session: August 12 at 11 a.m.
• Virtual Class Name: TUC VVC HTK NUTRITION GRP

Register by calling 520-792-1450 ext. 1-3485 or by reaching out to your PACT RD.

Want more live cooking demos? Check out the Chicago VA Medical Center’s Healthy Teaching Kitchen, with monthly livestreams available on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/VAChicago/

VA Resource Navigator

Are you a Veteran but you're not sure where to start with the VA?

Check out the VA Resource Navigator, a short, sweet combination of all the most valuable resources to get you started on your way to VA benefits and health care.

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