Sara joined liveWELL in October 2022 as the newest member of the Health Coach team. Sara is a registered dietitian nutritionist and strives to help individuals find a healthy balance in life. Prior to liveWELL, Sara was a clinical dietitian working in diabetes education and cardiac rehabilitation. She believes a healthy lifestyle is more than just the foods we eat and believes in a holistic approach to well-being. She enjoys helping individuals simplify their wellness routine and build sustainable healthy habits. She is excited to get to know her Hawkeye colleagues and support them in making choices that are meaningful to their lifestyle!

Health Coach Sara’s Top Five Healthy Eating Tips

1. Include protein in your breakfast. Adding protein to your breakfast, along with a healthy carbohydrate, will provide you with steady energy and keep you fuller throughout the day. Try adding peanut butter and walnuts to your oatmeal or add eggs to your toast!

2. Choose a smaller meal plate. These days bowls and plates can hold multiple portions of food. Next time you dish up, grab a salad plate (9-inch plate) to help with portion control.

3. Keep frozen vegetables on hand. Frozen vegetables are low-cost and have a longer shelf life, which can make healthy eating easier. They are just as nutritious as fresh vegetables because they are frozen right after they are harvested. Try adding frozen broccoli to a recipe or stir-frying it for a quick side dish!

4. Drink more water by using a straw. A straw can make taking sips easier and more convenient. You’re likely to swallow more water at a time when you drink from a straw, and you won’t have to reopen your bottle every time.

5. Focus on adding, not subtracting. Instead of thinking about what to remove from your diet, think about what healthy foods you can add. This tends to shift you into a more positive mindset. For example, instead of removing pasta from the meal, add vegetables to fill half your plate first. The remaining half of the plate can be balanced with protein and pasta.

Learn more or request and appointment at liveWELL Health Coach Service.

This article originally appeared in the liveWELL 2023 Winter Employee Well-Being Newsletter.