According to the CDC, only 10% of Americans are consuming the recommended intake of vegetables and 12% are consuming the recommended intake of fruit. Eating a healthy diet is just as important as staying active.

Making sure to fuel yourself with balanced nutrition has a lot of benefits, including:

• Preventing disease: Eating a healthy, balanced diet is proven to decrease the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some cancers.
• Strong bones: As we age, our bones lose density. Supplying your body with the right nutrients can keep your bones healthy and happy, reducing your risk of osteoporosis and bone breaks or fractures.
• Stay energized: Having enough carbs, fats, protein and micronutrients in your diet helps you have the energy to get through your day!
• Maintain a healthy weight: Pairing a good diet and daily exercise will give your body the energy it needs to keep a healthy weight.

Who can help?

If you have questions about finding the right foods for you, talking to your primary care physician is a great first step. Value-based care providers focus on preventative care, which could mean regular check-ins about maintaining a healthy diet for a healthy lifestyle. Preventing serious illness by eating a balanced diet may help save you from paying high out-of-pocket costs for hospital visits and medication for problems caused by a poor diet.

Medicare and Nutrition

Does Medicare cover any nutrition services? Individuals enrolled in Medicare may be eligible for medical nutrition therapy (MNT) under these conditions:

• If you have diabetes
• If you have kidney disease
• If you have had a kidney transplant in the last 3 years.

Medical nutrition therapy could include an initial nutrition assessment, nutrition counseling or therapy services and follow-ups regarding your diet progress. This service is typically provided by a registered dietitian. If you don’t currently have a dietitian, your primary care physician can refer you to one that is in your network.

Enrollment Eligibility

e-TeleQuote Insurance Inc. (“e-TeleQuote”), an affiliate of Primerica, Inc., does business as easyMed Insurance Services in all states other than New Mexico. e-TeleQuote is a duly licensed insurance agency appointed by Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO and PFFS plans and stand-alone prescription drug plans and insurance companies holding Medicare contracts approved by The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). e-TeleQuote is not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. Government or the Federal Medicare Program. Enrollment in any plan for coverage is subject to insurance company approval. Enrollment in the plan depends on the plan’s contract renewal with Medicare. By using e-TeleQuote’s easyMedicare website, you understand and agree that in New Mexico, we operate as e-TeleQuote Insurance, Inc. (Your IP address and/or location coordinates may be gathered to verify your location.) Sales agents may be compensated based on your enrollment in a health plan. Medicare Supplement plans are not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. Government or the Federal Medicare program. e-TeleQuote complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religion. easyMedicare.com is a non-government site, powered by e-TeleQuote Insurance, Inc. e-TeleQuote provides a secure way to purchase Medicare insurance from the comfort of your home or workplace. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 5 organizations which offer 3,291 products in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-Medicare (TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048) 24 hours day/7 days a week, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP), to get information on all of your options. Not all plans offer all of these benefits. Benefits may vary by carrier and location. Limitations and exclusions may apply. To send a complaint to Medicare, call 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY users should call 1- 877-486-2048), 24 hours a day/7 days a week). If your complaint involves a broker or agent, be sure to include the name of the person when filing your grievance.