If you’re like many people looking to lose weight, you want to know: What’s the best diet for me?
The answer to that is easy: The best diet is ultimately one that you can stick to. Like any diet, it’s important to consider balancing calories with activity levels, portion control and choosing a diet that supports your individual health needs while making it a part of your lifestyle. Losing excess weight lowers your risk for obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, sleep disorders and many other chronic illnesses.
So what are some popular diets?
Three Popular Diets Explained
Three popular and healthful diets are the MyPlate diet, the Flexitarian diet and the Mediterranean diet.
MyPlate is the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s model for a healthy eating pattern; it replaced the food pyramid in 2011. MyPlate emphasizes portion control and balanced food groups by making half your plate fruits and vegetables. It further encourages lean proteins, whole grains and limiting added sugar and salt. MyPlate is known to reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease.
The Flexitarian diet, as the name suggests, is a flexible alternative to being a vegetarian. It’s a plant-based diet that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes and nuts, but still allows meat – it’s just consumed less often and in smaller portions. A Flexitarian diet can aid weight management while reducing risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. It may also help you reduce your carbon footprint.
The Mediterranean diet can also support weight loss with its emphasis on whole foods, healthy fats, limited processed foods and added sugar, reduced calorie intake, and long-term stability. You’ll focus on eating fruits, vegetables, lentils, nuts, whole grains, extra-virgin olive oil, fish, and moderate cheese and yogurt. The benefits of this diet include lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease, supporting healthy blood sugar and blood pressure, and lowering cholesterol.
Of course, before you begin any diet or exercise program, talk with your doctor or an MDLIVE board certified doctor to work out the best approach for you. If you need support or motivation, make an appointment with an MDLIVE licensed therapist.
That’s right. MDLIVE virtual visits can help you start or continue on your weight loss journey by making a consult with your doctor or therapist as easy as a video chat from the comfort of your own home. To talk to a doctor or schedule an appointment, click here.
Here’s how to use your virtual visits benefit.
Virtual visits are likely part of your health plan’s covered benefits through the Hally® member account and MyChart mobile app*. It’s never been easier to check in with a doctor or therapist anytime, anywhere for your healthcare needs.
If you’ve never used your virtual visits benefit before, first be sure you’ve created a Hally member account (for your health plan). If you haven’t already created a Hally member account, visit here to learn how to create your account and how to download the MyChart app. Then, you’ll need to register your free virtual visits account. You can register for this account and begin your first virtual visit in one of three ways:
• Visit hally.com/care, scroll down to Virtual Visits and click Get Started. Then sign in with your Hally member account username and password and follow the steps.
• Open the MyChart app on your mobile device and log into your Hally account. Under Find Care, choose Virtual Visits.
• Call (888) 912-0904.
Once you’ve registered, you and your covered family members are all set. When you’re ready to schedule your first appointment, simply visit hally.com/care or open your MyChart app and follow the same steps as above. It’s easy, and you’ll be chatting with a doctor or therapist in no time.
Any questions? Simply call us at the number on your health plan ID card. Virtual visits are just one of the many ways we help you and your family live your healthiest lives. We’re here for you!
- All benefits aren’t available on all plans or to the general public. Call us at the number on your health plan ID card to see if your plan includes the MDLIVE Virtual Visit benefit or other MDLIVE virtual visits.