November wellness programs target nutrition, diabetes

Throughout November, UF-UF Health Shands Wellness is offering employees opportunities to improve their nutritional habits and awareness through several activities and special programs.

Mission Nutrition challenge available through Nov. 15

improve-your-nutrition-hereYour mission, should you choose to accept, is to improve your nutrition over the course of seven days.

Participants will be tasked with three missions:

  • Mission One: Get a Plan. Start by creating a personalized nutrition plan with the USDA’s SuperTracker tool.
  • Mission Two: Track. Track your food for seven days, focusing on meeting SuperTracker recommendations and getting a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables.
  • Mission Three: Make Changes. Work on incorporating healthy behaviors in to your routine, including meal planning, mindful eating and cooking as a family.

The challenge is open for two weeks; participants should complete their checklist for seven days of the two-week period.

Participants will be entered into a drawing for a lunchbox set, snack kit, and more!

The challenge must be completed by Nov. 15. Register for Mission Nutrition here.

Get the latest from food science experts through the Wellness Wednesday series

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Click on the image to play the video.

Watch a recording of IFAS Professor Wendy Dahl’s talk on how to make sense of probiotics. Learn about current evidence on the effectiveness of select probiotics for common conditions, such as constipation, IBS and type 2 diabetes, and discover tips for choosing the right probiotics for you.

You can alsoto-toss-simonne bring your lunch and join us at the HR Building (903 West University Ave.) on Wednesday, Dec. 7, from noon to 1 p.m. to learn about eating well while wasting less.  Join Amy Simonne, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Family, Youth, and Community Sciences, for “To Toss or Not to Toss? Ways to Reduce Your Food Waste.”
Food waste has been a popular subject in recent years. Loss can occur at any point, from production on the farm to our personal tables. According to the USDA, 31% (133 billion pounds) of all food in the U.S. supply chain never gets eaten; this loss occurs at both the retail (43 billion pounds) and the consumer (90 billion pounds) levels. The top three food groups in terms of values lost are meat/poultry/fish, vegetables, and dairy products. Learn research-based practices that will help you, as a consumer, reduce your personal food loss, save money and lessen your impact on the environment.

Register Now!

November is Diabetes Awareness Month

nov-diabetes-awarenessApproximately 29 million Americans (9.3 percent) have diabetes. Another 86 million adults in the U.S., more than one in three, have prediabetes. Refer to the following resources for more information on assessing your risk or managing your condition.

  • Use the CDC’s Screening Tool to assess your risk for prediabetes. If you would like to learn more information about prediabetes and lowering your risk, watch this presentation: Prevent Diabetes STAT: Screen Test Act Today given by UF Health’s Program Manager for Diabetes Education, Kathryn Parker, RD, LD/N.
  • Understand what it means to live with diabetes, learn successful management skills, empower yourself with the support of others and obtain a hands-on approach led by a diabetes educator with HealthStreet’s Diabetes Support Group. These are held the fourth Wednesday of each month from noon to 1 p.m.
  • Get ‘in control’ of your diabetes! GatorCare members can participate in a six-month program to learn how to slow the progression of diabetes through proper nutrition, exercise, stress management and medication. Develop healthy behaviors in a supportive environment to prevent potential complications and engage with your providers to ensure proper management. GatorCare members who complete the program will receive $150 and will have their 2017 $100 pharmacy deductible waived. Visit the GatorCare Diabetes page for more information.