Because real life comes with cake

When routines change, good intentions can quickly unravel.

 

Melissa Meadows’ resolve to eat healthier was disrupted last summer when her son had a destination wedding, quickly followed by a family Disney holiday. Naturally, mother of the groom enjoyed the wedding cake and other festivities and indulged a bit during her well-earned vacation.

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Did the recent MNPS retiree slip into a guilt-fueled spiral over the rich foods?

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She did not.

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Thanks to the Full Plate Living program Melissa participated in earlier in the summer, she learned that healthy eating can be flexible.

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Full Plate Living is a four-week in-person Group Medical Visit offered at no cost through Melissa’s MNPS certificated benefits. It focuses on incorporating more fiber into meals. It isn’t a calorie-counting exercise in frustration; instead, it builds on foods participants already enjoy.

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"You can tailor it to who you are."

 

“I would definitely recommend it,” says Melissa. “You can tailor it to who you are.”

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Fiber-rich foods, such as fruits, nuts, grains, legumes and vegetables, provide more satisfying meals with fewer calories. But they also offer a surprising array of other health benefits. These include controlling blood sugar with less fuss, reducing risk of heart attack, adding energy and stamina, and promoting better sleep.

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Melissa, who now works part-time for MNPS, was intrigued when she learned about the program from Morgan Stine, her primary care provider. Morgan is a Full Plate Living facilitator.

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“I went into it with an open mind,” says Melissa. “I wanted to see if this will work for me.”

 

And it did, she reports.

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"It's about small changes that make big impacts."

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“It’s small steps, but I have changed my eating habits,” she says.

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During the sessions, wellness coach B.J. Reeves brings fiber-rich dishes that lets participants taste foods they might not try on their own. They also learn to read food labels more expertly.

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The group setting had surprising benefits, Melissa says, noting, “It was different. I found that you can learn from other people.”

 

These days, Melissa boosts her already healthy oatmeal with diced apple and chia. She looks for whole-grain pasta. She’s also mastered meal prep techniques that don’t leave her reaching for unhealthy options.

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That involves consistency and “…making sure my kitchen is stocked,” Melissa says.

Her better choices are resulting in healthier meals for her husband and visiting family members, too.

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“I look back at my family history and I’m in much better shape than my parents were at my age,” Melissa says.

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Full Plate Living is “not changing your whole life,” she adds. “It’s about small changes that make big impacts.”