Eating a variety of nutrient-dense foods from each of the 5 food groups can help reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases like high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease.
Here are a few tips to incorporate into a healthy lifestyle:
- Choose foods with little to no added sugar, saturated fats, and sodium. Build meals around protein foods that are naturally low in saturated fats, like beans, peas, lentils, chicken, seafood, and lean meats.
- Be aware of how many calories you need per day. Visit MyPlate.gov to learn more.
- Avoid sugary drinks. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated.
For certain people, Medicare also covers some nutrition-related services:
- If you have diabetes or kidney disease, you may qualify for Medicare-covered medical nutrition therapy. You’ll get an assessment, therapy services, and help managing diabetes.
- If you have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more, Medicare covers obesity behavioral therapy, which includes an initial BMI screening and behavioral therapy sessions to help you focus on diet and exercise.