Health Education and Nutrition
Our services centered around health, wellness and nutrition are designed to protect and improve the health outcomes of our patients. Through one-on-one counseling with an MCHW health educator, patients can learn about their medical conditions and set goals on how to improve their health and overall quality of life.
Our Services: Comprehensive Care
- Diabetes education
- Meal planning support
- Hypertension education
- Physical activity
- Prenatal health education
- Reproductive health education
- Family planning
Fostering Wellness: Preventing Type 2 Diabetes
Marin City Health and Wellness Center is a one-stop-shop for nutritional information. We help patients understand the need for and how to integrate into their diets certain nutritional elements, like proteins, fiber, greens, and low-glycemic carbs.
When it comes to nutritional health, we are especially committed to the prevention of type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes is caused when the body cannot regulate or process insulin properly. If not treated or managed, it can lead to other serious health issues, like organ damage.
Socioeconomic inequities, limited access to nutrient-dense foods, and lack of physical activity all play a part in higher risks of elevated blood sugar and type 2 diabetes. It affects adults of all ages, children and adolescents. African Americans and Hispanics have greater instances of type 2 diabetes than their white counterparts.
When it comes to type 2 diabetes prevention and management, here is some basic meal plan information. The key is not to aim for perfection or feel so deprived you get discouraged. Rather, start by adding in more nutritious foods to your existing diet rather than subtracting everything that’s considered “bad” for you. Over time, your body will start to crave nutritious foods!
Add more of these:
- Non-starchy vegetables such as peppers, mushrooms, asparagus, broccoli, and spinach
- Fruits
- Lean protein such as fish, chicken, turkey, tofu, eggs, and yogurt
- Whole grains such as quinoa, brown rice, and steel cut oatmeal
- Healthy fats in foods like olive oil and avocado, that replace unhealthy ones
- Water and unsweetened beverages
Aim to eat and drink less of these:
- Processed foods, such as packaged snacks, packaged meat, chips, granola bars, sweets, and fast foods
- Trans fat, found in things such as margarine, snack food, packaged baked goods, and many fried foods
- Sugary drinks such as fruit juice, sports drinks, and soda
- Alcohol
Source: Centers for Disease Control, “On Your Way to Preventing Type 2 Diabetes”
Get a list of area food banks and other health education and nutrition information on our Resources page.
Our Team: Compassionate Care
Our amazing health educators bring a passion for community health to their work every day. They partner with patients to create individualized care plans and paths for personal wellness goals.
Reach Out or Make an Appointment
To learn more, or to make an appointment for free one-on-one support for nutrition, exercise and wellness counseling, call (415) 339-8813 or send an email to [email protected].