For Good Health, Eat Healthy

3/8/2024

By Amada Roxana Gallardo, MSN, APRN, FNP-C

LAREDO, TX (March 7, 2024) – It’s a well-known fact that our nation has a critical weight problem. More than one-third of U.S. adults – 41.9% – are obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, and the percentage continues to climb. Overweight and obesity are linked to several chronic diseases including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer. In Texas alone, the percentage of overweight or obese adults tops 35.5%.

Whether you’re simply trying to lose weight, control your risk for diabetes or another obesity-related disease, or manage symptoms of an already diagnosed disease, eating the right foods is a smart part of your overall health plan.

Laredo Medical Center has resources to help you make the right choices to maintain a healthy diet, a healthy weight, and good quality of life. Proper nutrition can help prevent or manage high blood pressure, high cholesterol, depression, diabetes, heart disease, sleep apnea, gallbladder disease, bone and joint disorders, certain types of cancer, and many other conditions.

Obesity and diabetes link

Numerous studies have documented the link between obesity and diabetes. If you already have diabetes, you know the importance of controlling your blood sugar – what you eat, when you eat and how much you eat can make a pivotal difference in a diabetic’s quality of life and activity level. Keeping your blood glucose levels within the desired range can help prevent the development of other health problems that are common among diabetics: heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure, for example.

A good diet is essential to a comprehensive, preventive health plan. Even a weight loss of just 10 to 20 pounds can make a major impact. A recent National Institutes of Health study found that lowering your body weight by 5 to 7% — an average of 15 pounds — through a low-fat diet and exercising for 30 minutes daily, five days a week, can decrease the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by almost 60%.

Nutritional Counseling

People who are on a medically-supervised diet for weight loss or health reasons usually see a dietitian for individual counseling and weight management, in conjunction with your doctor’s plan for your care. A professional dietitian or nutritional counselor can also help design a program to aid in weight loss for patients preparing for bariatric surgery or heart surgery. If you are recovering from surgery, or have high cholesterol or hypertension, your doctor may recommend that you consult with a professional dietitian to design a low-sodium, heart-healthy diet that will support goals for your recovery and long-term health.

Nutritional services can provide oversight and support for a variety of needs, including:

• Medical nutrition therapy
• Individual nutrition counseling
• Weight loss/bariatric nutritional counseling
• Diabetes management for pre-diabetes, type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes
• Chronic kidney disease management
• Pediatric nutrition for infants, children and teens with growth problems, allergies, or obesity
• Digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or diverticular disease
• Elderly malnutrition

If you’re beginning a weight loss program for preventive health reasons, or as part of a chronic disease management plan, talk with your doctor about the resources available to support your long-term goals.

Laredo Medical Center offers bariatric weight loss services consisting of a specially trained team of professionals who work closely with a patient and his/her primary care physician to create a personalized plan that promotes their physical and emotional well-being. Persons can find out if they are a candidate for bariatric weight loss surgery by taking a free online assessment at https://rebrand.ly/lcceghf.

A physician’s order from your primary doctor is generally required for nutritional counseling and any other related wellness services. Search for a primary care provider by visiting www.laredophysicianassociates.com/family-medicine-care.

Laredo Medical Center offers a free e-newsletter with a monthly dose of health and wellness inspiration sent directly to your inbox from a trusted medical source. Sign up today by visiting https://bit.ly/3sn8jdV.

Remember that this information is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor, but rather to increase awareness and help equip patients with information and facilitate conversations with your physician that will benefit your health.

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