A healthy, balanced diet is important to overall health. Aim to eat nourishing whole foods that provide a wealth of vitamins and minerals supporting healthy internal function, and energy to get through the day. Healthy eating is important at every stage of life and the benefits add up over time. Every bite plays an essential part in our lifelong journey to health. Creating a healthy lifestyle starts with the small decisions we make every day with the foods we choose to eat and how we move our bodies.
Registered Dietitian Visits
Are you looking for dietary advice or guidance based on your changing health needs? Are you working towards achieving a healthy weight and need a personalized approach? A great place to start is to connect with a registered dietitian. Nutritional counseling is covered 100%, not subject to deductible when it is billed as a preventative benefit.
Registered dietitians (RDs) are professionals who provide reliable, objective nutrition information, separate facts from fads and translate the latest scientific findings into easy-to-understand nutrition. Think of your RD as a personal trainer for your diet who can customize a program to meet your needs. A RD is a food and nutrition expert who has met academic and professional requirements. The RD credential is a legally protected title that can only be used by practitioners who are authorized by the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Some RDs may call themselves “nutritionists,” but not all nutritionists are registered dietitians.
Nutritional counseling is covered 100%, not subject to deductible when it is billed as a preventative benefit. If you are not on the MaineHealth health plan, RD visits can be submitted as a Healthy Payback reimbursement. Visit MaineHealth dietitians or find an RD near you.
Find the Right Resource for You
When it comes to healthy eating and weight management there is no one-size fits-all approach. Some people have success with following MyPlate and others have success with Noom or Weight Watchers. There are a lot of options, many of us could use some support in losing weight and keeping it off. Below are some of our favorite resources that you may want to consider, all of these programs are eligible for WOW! Healthy Payback reimbursement.
- LiveStrong.com: Check out interactive content including a food diary, exercise log, recipes, and more. Travel to LiveStrong to learn more.
- Noom: This program offers access to social support, positive reinforcement and accountability coaching, paired together provides help with long-term goal success. Check out the mindful way to eat with Noom’s psychology-based approach.
- Start Simple App: Build healthy eating habits one goal at a time! Use the Start Simple with MyPlate app to pick daily food goals, join challenges, and earn fun badges. Learn more about the Start Simple with MyPlate app.
- Weight Watchers: A nutritionally sound program that teaches you practical strategies, healthy eating, balance and portion control in a virtual instructor-led group setting.
- Reimbursement for Local Produce: If you are trying to eat healthier, consider a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) share that supports local farmers and provides you with fresh produce. CSAs have become a popular way for consumers to buy local, seasonal food directly from local farmers.
Additional Nutrition and Healthy Eating Resources
- WOW! Mindful Eating Sessions: Are you craving a positive, rational approach to eating? Check out three mindful eating segments where you will learn strategies to navigate stress eating, make a plan to develop a healthier, more positive relationship with food, and how to successfully implement your plan. Explore the three Mindful Eating sessions and handouts.
- Healthy Eating Tips and Tricks: Looking for quick tips to integrate healthy eating into your daily routine, or food safety tips? Check out the WOW! Healthy Nutrition Tips and Tricks resource page.
- Virgin Pulse Healthy Eating Resources: Did you know Virgin Pulse has various opportunities to explore healthy eating tools through the Journey program? Take time to build habits and check out the Healthy Eating Journey sessions on: Smart Portions, More Veggies in No Time, Eat like a Mediterranean, and Fit in More Fruit. To find Journeys, click the “health” tab, and select Journeys. You can also set up your own nutrition guide in the Virgin Pulse platform. Begin by picking your nutrition profile, you will receive healthy tips and great recipes from Foodsmart — just for you. Plus, get extra rewards for tracking with MyFitnessPal! To find the Nutrition Guide on the Virgin Pulse platform, travel to the “benefits” tab, and search “nutrition”.
