Welcome to the second edition of Eat Fit | Live Fit. Last week, I shared a bit about my journey and expertise as a registered dietitian. This week, I want to tell you more about the innovative nutrition programming we offer in our communities.

Whether you’re a long-time wellness enthusiast or just starting out on your health journey, these programs offer valuable tools and support to help you live your strongest, healthiest life.

Celebrating milestones

This June, I celebrated 25 years as a registered dietitian with Ochsner Health. During this time, I have been incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to develop an array of wellness-focused programs. From our Lifestyle Nutrition services to our Eat Fit nonprofit restaurant initiative — which marked its 10-year anniversary in 2023 — each of these programs started with an organic, grassroots vision, and they continue to grow and thrive with the support of our team of dietitians and volunteers.

Lifestyle nutrition: Personalized wellness for your unique journey

In 1999, I launched the Lifestyle Nutrition department at Ochsner Fitness Center in New Orleans. I was just 24 years old, fresh out of college and figuring things out along the way. I remember our general manager sharing his vision that one day we would have a full team of dietitians supporting our clients and the community. I recall thinking that I would be happy if I could even fill my own schedule, much less hire and fill other dietitians’ schedules! Yet here we are today with six Lifestyle dietitians serving communities from Baton Rouge to New Orleans, the Northshore, the Mississippi Coast and beyond.

Over the years I’ve had the privilege of working with thousands of clients, from regular people looking to improve their health to elite athletes striving to optimize their fitness. I’ve learned a lot about what drives us, what motivates us, and what sometimes derails even our best intentions. Understanding these behaviors has informed my work and fueled the evolution of Ochsner’s Lifestyle Nutrition services.

Our team of Lifestyle dietitians is dedicated to helping you achieve your personal wellness goals. Because we know that each person’s journey is unique, we tailor our approach to fit your specific needs and lifestyle. Our wellness plans are designed to help you achieve significant results and maintain motivation, while also being realistic enough to support lasting, sustainable behavior change.

Our dietitians are available onsite at Ochsner Fitness Center in Metairie, at Stone Creek Club and Spa in Covington and at Ochsner Medical Complex-The Grove in Baton Rouge. We also offer virtual visits, providing flexibility to fit your schedule. Whether you prefer in-person guidance or the convenience of virtual consultations, our team is here to support you every step of the way.*

Ochsner Eat Fit: Empowering communities through nutritious choices

I founded the Ochsner Eat Fit nonprofit restaurant initiative in 2013 with a simple yet ambitious goal: to empower our community to make healthier choices when dining out.

As a registered dietitian, I have always believed that nutritious food should be not just deliciously appealing but also accessible. With this vision, we’ve partnered with over 600 restaurants across Louisiana — in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, the Northshore, Acadiana, Shreveport and Monroe — working closely with chefs and culinary teams as they strive to create dishes that are not only healthy but also mouth-wateringly good.

The Eat Fit seal on restaurant menus signifies a commitment to nutrition and to helping diners easily identify options that support their wellness goals. Whether you’re managing diabetes, blood pressure or cholesterol or simply striving to look better and feel your best, these dishes are designed to meet your needs. Our talented team of dietitians collaborates with chefs to ensure that each Eat Fit dish is crafted with the highest nutritional standards without compromising taste.

And our mission doesn’t stop at restaurants. We’ve expanded the Eat Fit initiative to festivals including Jazz Fest and French Quarter Fest, sports venues like the Caesars Superdome, and even into your home with our Eat Fit Cookbook and Craft: The Eat Fit Guide to Zero Proof Cocktails.** And for those looking for a fun health challenge with lasting benefits, our annual ‘Alcohol Free For 40’ challenge encourages a balanced lifestyle, promoting wellness through mindful drinking choices during the 40 days following Mardi Gras.

The Eat Fit mobile app, a resource we launched in 2016, is a game-changer. It helps you find Eat Fit restaurant partners near you and includes summaries of Eat Fit dishes available with nutrition facts and photos. It also provides access to hundreds of recipes and even offers brand-specific shopping guides. Think of this app as your pocket-sized wellness companion, one that makes healthy choices a little easier to make.

Looking Ahead

I invite you to explore the resources we offer through Eat Fit and our Lifestyle Nutrition services at Ochsner. I’m looking forward to continuing this journey together, making informed choices about whole-body wellness, choices that will empower us to live more vibrant, fulfilling lives.

* For more information, questions about pricing and insurance coverage, or to schedule a consultation, reach out to us at nutrition@ochsner.org.

** To purchase an Eat Fit book, visit EatFitCookbook.com to purchase online or find retailers near you. Use promo code ‘ADVOCATE’ for 20% off through the end of 2024.