It is time to celebrate Heart Month

How can you encourage healthier habits in your clients for February as Heart Month?

Here are 8 Tips to Help Your Clients Improve Their Lifestyle Essential 8 Scores:

• Encourage clients to get regular metabolic measures done, including blood pressure, blood sugar, and fasting lipids.
• Make small changes- reduce added salt and sugar, cook with less fat, or eat out less often to start.
• Pay attention to sleep. Set boundaries around screen use, caffeine intake, and alcohol consumption, impacting sleep hygiene.
• Find fitness that’s fun and fits your schedule. Try a water aerobics or a dance class. Join a walking group or pickleball team.
• Offer cooking classes or grocery tours to teach healthier options for heart health.
• Advocate for Registered Dietitians. They are the “Real Deal” regarding Medical Nutrition Therapy.
• Refer clients for smoking cessation if they’re using it as a means to control their stress or weight.
• Advise them against fad diets and extreme methods of weight loss such as vomiting or meal skipping. These aren’t sustainable and could do more harm than good.

Lisa Andrews, MEd, RD, LD -- foodandhealth.com excerpt

Check out all of our heart health materials here.