Valley Health Medical: What Diet Plans Are Covered?

Valley Health Plan offers a variety of personalized nutrition programs for individuals and families. Their programs include nutrition counselling for gastrointestinal disorders, vegetarian nutrition, and infant/child nutrition. Many insurance companies, including Medicare, will cover the cost of nutrition counselling for the management of a medical problem. Valley Health Plan also offers a weight loss and diabetes care program in partnership with Virta Health. This program is provided at no additional cost to members with type 2 diabetes and prediabetes.

Personalised nutrition programs

Valley Health Plan (VHP) offers a variety of personalized nutrition programs for individuals and families. One such program is 'A Recipe for Life', which is a nutrition guidance program that may be recommended by a physician as part of a treatment plan for a medical condition. This program involves following a prescribed nutrition plan, which may help reduce or eliminate the need for costly medication. The plan is tailored to fit your lifestyle and can include meal plans for specific dietary requirements, such as vegetarian or infant/child nutrition.

VHP also provides personal nutrition coaching, where a nutrition professional will develop a customized eating plan for you and your family. This service includes menu planning, supermarket shopping advice, restaurant ordering guidance, and more. These programs aim to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to make healthy food choices and improve their overall well-being.

In addition to the programs offered by VHP, there are also several apps available that can assist with personalized nutrition plans. These apps, such as 8fit, Lifesum, and Nutrino, offer customized diet and training programs based on individual needs and preferences. They provide users with meal plans, shopping lists, and healthy recipes to help them achieve their health and fitness goals.

Personalized nutrition programs are designed to address the unique needs and goals of each individual. By taking into account factors such as physical characteristics, health status, food preferences, and lifestyle, these programs offer tailored guidance to help people make healthier food choices and improve their overall well-being.

Physician-recommended diet plans

Mediterranean Diet:

• This diet is the most recommended by doctors for long-term optimal health.
• It is based on the traditional eating habits of countries like Italy and Greece and includes a wide range of foods without banning any food groups.
• Recommended foods include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, legumes, olive oil, fish, and seafood. Poultry, eggs, dairy, and red meat are consumed in moderation.
• The Mediterranean diet is associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases, improved weight loss, and increased longevity.

DASH Diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension):

• This diet is specifically designed to help treat or prevent high blood pressure (hypertension).
• It emphasizes consuming plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats while being low in salt, red meat, added sugars, and fat.
• The DASH diet has been shown to reduce blood pressure levels and heart disease risk factors, and it may also aid in weight loss.

Intermittent Fasting:

• Intermittent fasting involves cycling between periods of fasting and eating, such as restricting eating to certain time periods or fasting on non-consecutive days.
• It is recommended by some doctors for its potential benefits for weight loss, glucose control, and blood pressure reduction.
• However, it may not be suitable for everyone, and certain individuals, such as those with diabetes, should approach it with caution.

Plant-Based and Flexitarian Diets:

• Vegetarianism and veganism are popular plant-based diets that restrict animal products for health, ethical, and environmental reasons.
• The flexitarian diet is a more flexible version that allows for minimal meat and animal product consumption.
• Plant-based diets are associated with a reduced risk of chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and improved metabolic health.

Cardiac Diet:

• The cardiac diet is a physician-ordered diet that is low in fat and salt, with less than 30% of calories coming from fat.
• It includes egg substitutes and low-fat meats while excluding fried foods and caffeine.
• This diet is typically recommended for individuals with heart-related conditions or before certain medical tests and surgeries.

Diabetic Diet:

• The diabetic diet is a physician-prescribed diet that is low in fat and varies in calorie level based on age, size, and activity level.
• It limits carbohydrates, protein, and fat, and excludes concentrated sweets. Sugar substitutes are allowed.
• This diet is tailored to help manage diabetes and varies based on individual needs.

High-Fiber Diet:

• A high-fiber diet is recommended by doctors for individuals with certain health problems, such as constipation, hemorrhoids, diverticulosis, and irritable colon.
• It involves consuming more fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, beans, and peas, along with drinking at least eight glasses of water daily.
• A high-fiber diet may also help people with diabetes or high cholesterol and may reduce the risk of colon cancer and heart disease.

These diet plans are often recommended by physicians and can be tailored to individual needs and medical conditions. It is always advisable to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new diet to ensure it is safe and suitable for your specific circumstances.

Nutrition counselling

Valley Health offers a range of personalized nutrition programs for individuals and families. One such program is 'A Recipe for Life', a nutrition guidance program that may be recommended by a physician as part of a treatment plan for a medical condition. This program involves following a prescribed nutrition plan, which may help reduce or eliminate the need for costly medication. The plan is tailored to fit the patient's lifestyle, with services including nutrition counselling for gastrointestinal disorders, vegetarian nutrition, and infant/child nutrition.

In addition to 'A Recipe for Life', Valley Health also offers personal nutrition coaching, where a nutrition professional will develop a customized eating plan and provide the skills and knowledge to help individuals and families meet their nutritional goals. This service includes menu planning, supermarket shopping assistance, restaurant ordering advice, and more. The initial appointment for this service is 90 minutes, with follow-up appointments available in 30-minute increments.

For those seeking weight loss and diabetes care, Valley Health Plan (VHP) has partnered with Virta Health to offer a program at no additional cost. This program is specifically designed for members with type 2 diabetes and prediabetes.

Personal nutrition coaching

Valley Health offers personalized nutrition programs for individuals and families. Their Personal Nutrition Coaching service provides tailored programs for clients, helping them to develop a customized eating plan and providing them with the skills and knowledge to meet their needs.

The initial appointment is 90 minutes, with follow-up appointments available in 30-minute increments. During these sessions, a qualified nutritionist will meet with you to create a plan that suits your lifestyle and helps you reach your goals. This may include menu planning, refrigerator makeovers, supermarket shopping, restaurant advice, and lunch box ideas.

Nutrition coaching can also provide accountability and support through the challenges and triumphs of reaching your goals. This may include weekly check-ins and ongoing support to help you stay motivated and on track.

Weight loss and diabetes care

Valley Health Plan (VHP) has partnered with Virta Health to offer a weight loss and diabetes care program at no additional cost to its members. This program is designed for those with type 2 diabetes and prediabetes.

Benefits of Losing Weight with Diabetes

When you have diabetes, losing weight can help improve your overall health and reduce your risk of serious complications. Here are some of the key benefits:

• Improved diabetes control: Losing weight can make it easier to manage your blood sugar levels and may even lead to a reduction in diabetes medication.
• Increased energy: Many people who lose weight report having more energy, which can improve your overall quality of life.
• Reduced risk of complications: Carrying extra weight, especially around the waist, can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. Losing weight can help lower these risks.
• Improved sleep: Weight loss is often associated with improved sleep quality, which is essential for overall health and well-being.
• Remission of type 2 diabetes: For those with type 2 diabetes, losing around 5% of body weight can have significant health benefits. Losing a larger amount of weight, such as 15kg, may even lead to diabetes remission, meaning you no longer need diabetes medication.

Strategies for Weight Loss with Diabetes

• Healthy eating: Focus on eating healthy, nutritious foods. Choose a diet plan that suits your needs and preferences, such as the Mediterranean diet or a lower-calorie diet. Avoid fad diets that are not sustainable in the long term.
• Portion control: Pay attention to your portion sizes and ensure you're not consuming more calories than you need.
• Exercise: Engage in regular physical activity, such as brisk walking or jogging. Combine this with strength training activities to improve your overall health and weight loss.
• Emotional well-being: Address any emotional triggers that may lead to emotional eating. Practice positive self-talk and seek support if needed to maintain a healthy mindset during your weight loss journey.
• Support and education: Seek advice from your healthcare team, including your diabetes team, to ensure you have the necessary knowledge and support throughout your weight loss journey.
• Weight loss medication: Consult with your healthcare team about weight loss medications that may be suitable for you.
• Weight loss surgery: For those with a significant amount of weight to lose, weight loss surgery may be an option. This can be an effective way to lose weight and manage type 2 diabetes.

Frequently asked questions