Get Started with Lifestyle Medicine
- Create meaningful habits
- Utilize the Mediterranean Diet
- Set goals and create change
- Supported with accountability and community
Group Visits
- Covered by insurance or discounted cash price for those with no ND coverage
- Physician-led sessions
FAQs
It is group visits for patients for dietary counseling and exercise counseling. The principles discussed in the course are Meditteranean Diet based and we discuss how to calculate individual calorie requirements and the composition of the diet. The purpose of the course is to set individual diet and exercise goals for each person and have the group be support for accountability and navigating obstacles.
Anyone who needs help with creating and sustaining healthy habit goals. The class is targeted to people with chronic health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease or diabetes, however, anyone who feels they need support creating new diet and exercise goals can attend.
Lifestyle medicine is an approach to healthcare that focuses on the use of evidence-based lifestyle interventions to prevent, treat, and manage chronic diseases. It recognizes that many of the leading causes of illness and premature death, such as heart disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer, are largely influenced by lifestyle factors.
The core principle of lifestyle medicine is that by making positive changes to one’s lifestyle, individuals can improve their overall health and well-being, and potentially prevent or even reverse certain chronic conditions. Lifestyle factors that are typically addressed include diet, physical activity, stress management, sleep, tobacco and alcohol use, and social connectedness.
Lifestyle medicine takes a holistic approach to health, considering the interconnectedness of various lifestyle factors and their impact on overall health. It emphasizes the importance of personalized and patient-centered care, working closely with individuals to develop tailored lifestyle plans that are sustainable and achievable.
Healthcare professionals specializing in lifestyle medicine, such as lifestyle medicine physicians, use a combination of behavior change strategies, education, counseling, and support to empower individuals to adopt healthier habits and make long-term lifestyle changes. They often collaborate with other healthcare providers to provide comprehensive care.
The field of lifestyle medicine is supported by a growing body of scientific research, which demonstrates the significant impact that lifestyle interventions can have on health outcomes. It complements traditional medical approaches by addressing the underlying causes of chronic diseases, rather than solely focusing on symptom management or pharmaceutical interventions.
Overall, lifestyle medicine promotes the idea that individuals have the power to take control of their health through positive lifestyle choices, and it aims to integrate these principles into healthcare systems to improve population health and reduce the burden of chronic disease.
The Mediterranean diet is a dietary pattern that is based on the traditional eating habits of countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea, such as Greece, Italy, Spain, and France. It has gained popularity worldwide due to its numerous health benefits and is often recommended by healthcare professionals and nutritionists.
The Mediterranean diet is characterized by the following key features:
- High consumption of plant-based foods: The diet emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. These foods provide a rich source of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants.
- Olive oil as the primary fat source: Olive oil is the main source of dietary fat in the Mediterranean diet and is rich in monounsaturated fats, which are considered heart-healthy. It is used for cooking, dressing salads, and as a dip.
- Moderate consumption of fish and poultry: Fish, especially fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, and sardines, are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which have been linked to numerous health benefits. Poultry is also consumed in moderation, while red meat is limited.
- Limited intake of dairy products: Dairy products, such as cheese and yogurt, are consumed in moderate amounts in the Mediterranean diet. They are typically consumed in their traditional forms, without added sugars or artificial ingredients.
- Moderate consumption of red wine: Moderate intake of red wine, usually during meals, is a characteristic of the Mediterranean diet. However, this is optional, and it’s important to note that excessive alcohol consumption can have adverse health effects.
- Minimized consumption of processed foods: The Mediterranean diet discourages the consumption of processed foods that are high in added sugars, refined grains, and unhealthy fats. It promotes whole, unprocessed foods instead.
Numerous scientific studies have associated the Mediterranean diet with various health benefits. It has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease, lower blood pressure, improve cholesterol levels, help with weight management, reduce the risk of certain cancers, and contribute to better cognitive function and longevity.
It’s important to note that the Mediterranean diet is not a rigid prescription but rather a flexible dietary pattern that can be adapted to individual preferences and cultural variations. It emphasizes overall dietary quality and encourages a balanced and varied approach to eating.
This is NOT a weight loss course. However, weight reduction can happen secondary to healthy habit changes. This is a group dedicated to creating healthy habits.
Group visits allow the doctor to see you more frequently and spend more time with a group so that you can get more education and accountability. You still get the opportunity to work on your own individual goals while in a community of others working toward similar positive lifestyle habit changes.
It is scheduled for 90 minutes of group time. We will break off either at the beginning or end of the course for the Dr to get vitals and ask if you have individual questions.
No. If you feel this is not right for you, you can drop the course at any time. If you cannot attend a course because of scheduling conflicts, you are welcome to book a one-on-one visit with Dr. Fioritto for continuity to make up for a lost session. You would need to attend the first group class in order to attend the rest of the group visits.
Many insurance companies recognize the value of group visits and naturopathic medicine. If you have coverage for the naturopathic doctor you see, your visit will be covered. If you have a high deductible or no ND coverage, this visit will be less expensive than a typical office visit.
Going forward, the class will be maxed out at 8 people. This will allow the Dr time to do individual time as well as the group visit in a timely manner.
Sorry, the first class is in person. Based on group preference, the follow-up group times may be in Zoom or in person.
Yes. As long as there is demand for the course, it will be offered over 3-month periods on Mondays from 3:30 – 5 pm. Unfortunately, we will not be offering the course after hours for now.
Join Dr. Carissa Fioritto
In person at our Manchester Office
Mondays 3:30 – 5 pm
Online via Zoom
Tuesdays 12 – 1 pm