Are you confused by all of the nutrition tips and diets out there? It seems that there are so many contradicting studies on carbohydrates, fats, coffee, butter, salt, eggs, wheat, protein, etc. The list goes on and on. You may be wondering what you should eat in order to feel your best. March is National Nutrition Month® and we want to make you aware of the resources available to you, as well as share nutrition tips, so you can fuel your active lifestyle in The Villages® community.

Registered Dietitians are Available for You

Do you have questions about what you should be eating? Have you ever wanted to see a dietitian? Good news, you can! The Villages Health has Registered Dietitians available to you that offer nutrition counseling. They will set up one-on-one appointments with you to review your lab results and create a customized meal plan that maximizes your favorite food items, but still allows you to reach your goals.

To learn more or schedule an appointment, please call 352- 674-1770.

12 Nutrition Tips from TVH Registered Dietitians

Did you know that the food choices you make effect the way you think, perform and feel? Nutrition plays a key role in your overall health. Our Registered Dietitians, Kristen Curtis, MS, RD, LDN and Sara Murray RD, LDN, want to share 12 nutrition tips with you:

1. Set healthy and realistic goals. You are more likely to stay on track and achieve your goals when you make small changes at a time.
2. Aim to eat a variety of foods. Dietary diversity supports nutritional adequacy, as well as prevents boredom. Look at the different colors of your foods – the more, the merrier!
3. Increase your fiber intake. Strive to get between 25-35g of fiber each day. This will help you feel full longer, keep you regular and decrease your risk for heart disease and diabetes.
4. Listen to your body and know when you’ve had enough. Portion control is the most effective means of weight management.
5. Eat right when you’re on the go. Busy times tend to be when our healthy habits take a hit. Plan and pack healthy meals and snacks that are easy to take on the go. When you eat out, don’t be afraid to ask for substitutions or an alternate method of preparation.
6. Snack smart. Make snack time an opportunity to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into your day.
7. Avoid portion distortion. Estimating portion sizes and calories is hard. Most people underestimate their daily intake. To make estimating your portion sizes and intake possible use measuring cups, serving spoons, food scales, or objects for reference.
8. Set yourself up for success. Make a list before going to the grocery store and try to stick to it. Resisting the temptation to buy your favorite treat in the store is much easier than trying not to eat it when you’re at home. It might also help to try shopping earlier in the day before your fatigued mind thinks it’s a good idea to buy that treat.
9. Stay motivated by keeping your routine fresh. While routines are important for building habits, they can get old fast. You can have routine while still having variety. Don’t like kale? Try collard greens. Sick of the treadmill? Try a new workout class. Don’t be afraid to try new foods and new workouts that suit your interest.
10. Identify your healthy “go-to’s.” Make a list of healthy options at your favorite restaurants, so you don’t need to think twice if you need to order a healthy bite when you’re dining out. All major chains have their nutrition facts posted online. Referencing these and making a decision before you leave the house can make healthy eating even easier.
11. Modify your favorite recipes to make them healthier. Swap out white rice for brown rice or quinoa. Use spiralized veggies for pasta. Cut the amount of oil/butter you’re using in half. Choose a leaner cut of protein. Swap sour cream or mayo in a recipe for low-fat plain Greek yogurt.
12. Stay hydrated. Your body thrives off of water. Water allows your organs to perform at their best, helps your body flush out toxins and keep your fluids balanced. Some tips to staying hydrated: finish off a large glass of water first thing in the morning; keep water on your mind by carrying around a reusable water bottle without throughout the day and take water breaks during the day.

Still Have Questions About Nutrition? Attend a Complimentary Class

During the month of March we have several different nutrition classes available for you including many new classes. The topics range from the fundamentals of nutrition, healthy eating out, decoding the nutrition label, plant-based eating and much more! These classes are complimentary as part of your care plan designed to help you reach your nutrition goals.

These courses are available at no cost to the entire community, so feel free to invite anyone you believe will benefit.

Please register below for one of our nutrition classes.

Nutrition, exercise and stress management are all part of a heart-healthy lifestyle. Some small changes are easy, such as using spices to season your food instead of salt. Other changes take time before the become a regular habit. Here are the top ways you can start living a heart-healthy life:

5 Heart Health Tips

1. 1. 1. Control Your Weight: Obesity is one of the leading causes of heart disease. Carrying around extra weight can damage your heart and vascular system. Maintaining a healthy weight will reduce your risk of heart disease.
      2. Be Active: Regular physical activity reduces your risk for high blood pressure, heart disease and other chronic conditions. The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend that adults aim for 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate aerobic activity each week like walking fast, dancing or swimming. They also recommend doing muscle-strengthening activities like lifting weights or using exercise bands – at least 2 days a week.
      3. Live Smoke Free: Living smoke-free is one of the best things you can do to protect your heart. This also includes avoiding second hand smoke from close relatives and friends. Encourage the smokers in your life to put down their cigarettes.
      4. Manage Your Cholesterol: Cholesterol is found in all cells of your body. If you have too much cholesterol in your blood, it can build up plaque and block arteries. To learn more about cholesterol, register for a “Understanding Cholesterol” class below. In this class we will break down everything you need to know about cholesterol. We hope to empower you to lower your cholesterol and optimize your blood test results.
      5. Lower Your Blood Pressure: If you have high blood pressure there are many things you can do to lower it. Try to limit your alcohol intake to one drink per day. Eat more fruits, vegetables, lean protein and whole grains. Also, manage your stress levels. These changes often can bring your blood pressure into the normal range.

Do you still have questions? Attend a class to help you achieve you heart health goals.

Register Now

With the start of the New Year, like many of us, you have resolved to live a healthier lifestyle. But sticking to those new lifestyle changes is not always easy. Whether your goal is to lose weight, get stronger, or just feel better – we are here for you!

The Learning Center offers complimentary courses as a part of your care plan designed to help you reach your health goals. Plus, it’s always easier to stay on track when you have someone by your side. Don’t forget to invite a spouse, neighbor or friend to join you. These courses are available at no cost to the entire community, so feel free to invite anyone you believe will benefit.

Please register below for one of our free exercise or nutrition classes.

The Villages, FL – The Board of Directors for The Villages Health is pleased to announce the appointment of Bob Trinh as its new Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Trinh, along with the other members of the executive team, will be responsible for continuing to build a value-based healthcare system in The Villages® community, where care is patient centered, primary care driven, community based and made easy for patients.

“It is an honor to join this organization and to be part of a team that continues to bring excellent health care to the residents of The Villages and surrounding community,” says Bob Trinh. “I am looking forward to our future as we expand to support the continued growth of The Villages.”

Mr. Trinh, a Harvard MBA graduate, joins The Villages Health from Oak Street Health. There he served as the President for the Illinois Division, the organization’s largest market. During his time there, the Illinois Division grew from 14 to 18 primary care clinics, with 96 providers serving over 30,000 patients.

Prior to Oak Street Health, Mr. Trinh served as the Market Vice President for Orlando and South Florida at DaVita Medical Group with 29 clinics, 69 physicians and over 22,000 Medicare Advantage patients. Mr. Trinh also worked at Physicians United Plan and led STARS, health services, risk adjustment, finance and IT teams at various times during his tenure there.

“We are delighted to have Bob join us as our new CEO,” says Dr. Elliot Sussman, Chairman of the Board for The Villages Health. “He has an extensive career dedicated to improving the lives of both patients and health care professionals.”

For more information about The Villages Health please contact Sophie Ferenz at Sophie.Ferenz@thevillageshealth.com.

About The Villages Health

The Villages Health (TVH) is on a mission to make The Villages community America’s Healthiest Hometown® by keeping people healthy and healing people quickly. The patient-centered model allows patients to spend time with their care providers to build a relationship and address individual needs. In only its 6th year, TVH employs over 450 health care professionals across 8 locations and is growing at a rate of more than 500 new patients per month. With over 60 board-certified physicians across 13 specialties, TVH provides seamless coordinated care to more than 46,000 patients, including more than 18,000 Medicare Advantage members. As a result, all 8 care centers maintain a 98% patient satisfaction rate and perform within the top 1% nationally for quality care.

For more information, please visit www.TheVillagesHealth.com.

Contact:

Sophie Ferenz
Senior Marketing Specialist
(352) 674-8926
Sophie.Ferenz@TheVillagesHealth.com

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During the holidays, it can be very difficult to eat healthy. There are many temptations such as eggnog, pecan pie, candied yams, gingerbread and sugar cookies. The list of unhealthy holiday food goes on and on.

Throughout the month of December, we will share tips on how to enjoy the holidays without putting on unwanted weight.

7 Healthy Holiday Eating Tips from TVH Registered Dietitians

Enjoy several holiday eating tips from our Registered Dietitians Kristen Curtis, MS, RD, LDN and Sara Murray, RDN, LDN.

1. Scope out the Spread: Peruse your holiday food choices before making a plate and take note of the most enticing options. This way, you won’t consume extra calories by stocking up on items you could do without. Enjoy the foods that are special to the occasion and skip the ones that are available to you on a regular basis.
2. Don’t Skip Meals: Just because you plan to indulge in a holiday feast doesn’t mean you should skip the meals leading up to it. This will make you overeat and take in more calories overall. It’s also helpful to have a healthy snack before a holiday party so you’re not overly hungry going into an already tempting situation.
3. Don’t Let Your Physical Activity Decline: The holiday season is the perfect time to be active with your loved ones. Maintaining or even increasing your physical activity this time of year can help prevent that unwanted holiday weight gain.
4. Stay Hydrated: It can be easy to forget to drink water during the hectic holiday season, but it can help you avoid overeating so you can feel your best. It is recommended to drink six to eight, 8-ounce glasses of water per day.
5. Eat Fruits and Veggies: Focus on the abundance of fresh, nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables that are in season this time of year. For instance, squash, pumpkin, spinach, kale, sweet potato, apples, and cranberries are all in season and can add some color to your holiday festivities.
6. Bring Healthy Dishes: Invited to a party? Offer to bring a healthy dish and incorporate one of these healthy holiday foods.
7. Go Easy on Yourself: If you slip-up, don’t beat yourself up. Get right back to eating healthy with your next meal.

The holidays are about celebrating and connecting with the people you care about. When you focus more on the fun, it’s easier to focus less on the food.

For more healthy holiday eating tips please register below for one of our free “Healthy Holiday Eating” classes.

We have upgraded our medical records and patient portal technology so that we can continue to provide the highest levels of care.

Please complete the following steps below to register your patient portal account. If you cannot access a desktop computer, please call your care center and we will gladly hep you create your new account.

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STEP 1: CREATE AN ACCOUNT USING A DESKTOP COMPUTER

From your desktop computer, visit TheVillagesHealth.com/portal-login. Enter your patient information into the required fields. Be sure to use the same information that we have on record for you. When you are finished, click “Continue.”

STEP 2: VERIFY

Request a temporary passcode to be sent to either your email address or phone number. Choose your preferred method and click “Send Code.”

STEP 3: RETRIEVE AND ENTER CODE

Check your email or cell phone for the 6-digit code. Enter the temporary passcode and select “Continue.”

STEP 4: CREATE NEW PASSWORD

Enter a new password. Check the box to accept the terms and conditions. Then click “Continue.”

You will now have access to your new online health record. You can also login to the portal at any time by visiting TheVillagesHealth.com/portal.

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Watch our tutorial below to learn how to use your patient portal!

 

According to the CDC, “more than 100 million U.S. adults are now living with diabetes or pre-diabetes.” Diabetes occurs when your body cannot produce the correct amount of insulin in order to maintain a normal glucose level. There is not a cure for type 2 diabetes, but there are many ways to prevent and manage the condition.

1. Maintain a Healthy Weight: Being overweight is one of the main risk factors for developing diabetes. Every pound you lose reduces your risk substantially.
2. Make Healthy Food Choices: You want to practice healthy food habits, like eating 5 total servings of fruits and vegetables daily. You also want to eat plenty of fiber. Fiber improves blood sugar control. Whole grains also help maintain blood sugar levels.
3. Drink Plenty of Water: According to the Mayo Clinic, adequate daily water intake for men is about 16 cups and for women is about 12 cups. Avoid sugar-sweetened beverages like soda and juice because they are linked to obesity and diabetes.
4. Go Outside and Exercise: Physical activity helps you lose weight, lower your blood sugar and boosts your sensitively to insulin. Enjoy the beautiful outdoors and walk daily for 30 minutes.
5. Get a Good Night’s Sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep every night. Poor quality of sleep and sleep deprivation can increase your risk for diabetes and obesity.

If you practice these tips, you are less likely to develop type 2 diabetes.

Did you know that The Villages Health offers free classes every month? This month, we are offering 15 classes on diabetes. These classes include “Pre-Diabetes and Diabetes Prevention,” “Diabetes and Depression,” “Diabetic Foot Care” and more! All of our classes are free for the entire community. You don’t have to be a patient or resident to attend, so remember to register both you and a friend online today.

Do you have diabetes? Are you looking for even more educational resources to help you manage your diabetes? The Villages Health offers a Diabetes Education Program that is accredited by the American Diabetes Association.

It is a comprehensive program for individuals with type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes. A certified diabetes educator will work with you and your primary care physician to develop an education and treatment plan that is personalized for you.

The program is provided in 10 hours over the first year of education. First you will receive a 1-hour individual needs assessment. Then you will receive 4 two-hour group classes:

• Class 1: What You Need to Know About Diabetes
• Class 2: Nutrition and Psycho-Social Impacts
• Class 3: Exercise and Medication
• Class 4: Complications and Healthy Behaviors

After your first year of education, you are eligible to participate in two additional hours of Diabetes Education each year thereafter. Classes are held at all of The Villages Health Care Center locations.

For more information or to sign-up, please call 352-674-1770.