This dietician is helping veterans spark and refresh their memories through food

Memories hold a special place in our hearts, often triggered by the simplest things—like food. From a piece of chocolate to a comforting meal, a single bite can transport us to cherished moments. At the Iowa Veterans Home (IVH) in Marshalltown, Iowa, a group of around 20 residents has formed a Foodie Group, meeting monthly to savor a taste of nostalgia. Led by clinical dietician Christine Jacobson, this initiative aims to bring a sense of home and comfort to the veterans, per KCCI News.

The residents gather for a chat over a delightful array of food. But this initiative goes beyond nostalgia. Jacobson aims to revive the veterans' sensory abilities, particularly smell and taste, through authentic food experiences. By introducing flavors like mint and citrus, Jacobson hopes to reawaken their senses and bring vibrancy back into their lives.

Additionally, the veterans receive culinary education, along with friendly banter and a time to look forward to, reports Inside Edition. “We try to focus on hands-on experience, sensory experience. This group is about uniting food enthusiasts here at the Iowa Veterans Home,” the dietician said. Residents get one time during the month to get people together and help out in learning about foods. “This is a lively group with people, and there are such good topics that talk about these flavors,” remarked James Kolter, one of the residents. 

Being in a veteran home, away from family and loved ones is kind of balanced out with the nostalgic feeling each dish brings. “Food could be very powerful, right? It connects them to their families and memories and to experiences that can be very positive for them and that are worth preserving,” Jacobson explained. While keeping the residents’ health in check, several items are included on the menu. Some popular ones they try include chocolates, cheese, herbs and more. Some veterans even grow some of the herbs in tiny boxes by themselves, inculcating another soothing and delightful practice.

Right from cheese and chocolate tasting to mock judging, the men and women are having a heartwarming time circling older times and making new memories. Kolter shared how some of the items caught their eye. “There was a very good one on chocolates. Just a fine difference in taste,” he exclaimed. He added about cheese, saying, “I didn’t know there were that many kinds of cheddar cheese.” Another veteran, Mike Miller, explained how memories race to his mind with this brilliant initiative. “Sunday dinners because I would come home after Sunday mass. The house was filled with the smell of roasting chicken and rosemary. That’s something you just don’t forget. Those were some very good memories,” he recalled.