Healthy eating help

There’s never been a better time to learn about making and enjoying healthy foods. Certain foods can boost the immune system, giving us a better chance of staying healthy. If you’re not sure what these foods are—or how to integrate them into your life—we’re here to help.

It’s about time to check out Teladoc Nutrition, a simple and effective program that lets you work with registered dietitians for a healthier life. “When you want facts on food and nutrition or need to know how a healthy diet improves health and fights disease, you can rely on qualified professionals in the field,” says Robin Rood, RD, LD, M.Ed., M.A., registered dietitian at Teladoc Health.

We all need a little help from time to time. So whether you’re concerned about the pandemic, have high blood pressure or diabetes, are uncomfortable with your weight, want to up your athletic performance, or have a big birthday milestone coming up, seeking expert nutrition advice is a wise move.

Speak with a dietitian today

So let the overwhelm stop today: Read on to learn how you can create your own wellness goals and menus for sensible meal planning. Food can heal and help us in more ways than you can imagine!

Stats and facts

The “why’s” and “how’s” of good nutrition can seem complicated. In fact, 80% of people in the U.S. are confused about what “healthy” means.¹ Let’s break down some basic numbers that support a commitment to healthy eating.

• About 40 million Americans suffer from chronic diseases, which often directly correlate to poor nutrition.²
• 71.6% of American adults are overweight, and nearly 40% of these adults are obese.³
• Unhealthy diet contributes to approximately 678,000 U.S. deaths every year, due to nutrition- and obesity-related diseases like heart disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes.⁴
• $190 billion is spent for obesity-related illnesses each year—nearly 21% of U.S. medical spending.⁵
• Just 12.2% of American adults meet the standard recommendations for fruit, and even fewer of us, 9.3%, are meeting the standard for vegetables.⁶

The truth can’t be denied: Unhealthy diet and lack of exercise are compromising health. So how does nutrition play a part in solving our nation’s health problems? Here are some fast facts:

• Food and nutrition play a crucial role in promoting health and preventing chronic disease.
• Healthy diet helps protect against diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and cancer.
• Healthy eating is one of the most powerful tools we have to prevent or delay disease. It can help keep people healthy and active as they age, giving them more time to spend with family doing the activities they enjoy.
• There’s no one “right” way to eat. Anyone can find a healthy eating pattern that fits with their family’s preferences, traditions, culture, and budget.

Most importantly, you don’t need to drastically change your life or adhere to restrictive “fad diets.” Try these simple suggestions on the path to a healthier meal plan:

• “Eat foods made from whole grains rather than refined grains like white flour,” Hood says.
• Choose lots of veggies, especially green ones like kale, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts.
• “Read all labels on food packages,” Hood advises, looking for foods with sodium less than 400 milligrams, and added sugars of 4 grams or less.
• Go for calcium-rich foods like low-fat milk and yogurt. Dr. Hood notes that yogurt also introduces healthy bacteria to your gut microbiome.
• Eat lean protein like chicken and turkey instead of red meat. Mix in some beans for protein too.
• Include healthy oils and fats from olive oil, fish, and different nuts.
• Limit—or avoid—sugary beverages like soda and juice. Drink water instead.

Those are just some basics. Learn more about how Teladoc Nutrition providers can lend a hand to create a healthy lifestyle full of nutritious foods.

How nutrition counseling works

Nutrition is science, so it’s important to seek advice from registered dietitians, not life coaches or nutritionists. Our registered dietitians listen intently and work with you directly to assess clinical nutrition needs and develop personalized programs. These include custom meal plans, shopping guides, nutrition manuals, and sometimes supplement suggestions. They are also educated on various conditions so they can explain how foods will affect you, helping you create a plan full of nutrients to manage these conditions. Our network of 150-plus expert registered dietitians, spanning different specialties and languages, support a wide range of conditions like diabetes, sports nutrition, gastrointestinal disorders, and prenatal care.

Step one is logging on or signing up for your Teladoc account. You can then choose your registered dietitian and make an appointment for any day of the week by phone or video from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Next, you’ll answer a few questions about clinical conditions, current eating habits, and personal goals.

Speak with a dietitian today

During the visit, one of our registered dietitians will discuss your care path with you. This chat will include:

• A review of the information you submitted
• Feedback about your current diet
• Creation of a custom meal plan
• Goal-setting
• Answered questions and follow-up instructions

Within a week following your visit, you can keep in touch through an online message center, and also schedule future appointments with the same dietitian. We’ll also perform ongoing quality checks of the process.

Nutrition counseling is often covered as part of your health benefits. Reach out today from the comfort of home to get started on better eating and a healthier life. Stay well.

Check out how to eat to fight inflammation