Hy-Vee Offers New Begin for Diabetes Lifestyle Management Program
June 23, 2017 | News & Press Releases
Registered dietitians leading 10-week sessions in all 244 stores
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (June 23, 2017) — Hy-Vee, Inc. has announced it now offers a Begin® for Diabetes lifestyle management program, in addition to its existing Begin® and Begin® 4 Kids programs. All three options are led by registered dietitians in Hy-Vee’s 244 stores across its eight-state region.
People with diabetes face a specific set of health and nutrition challenges. The 10-week Begin for Diabetes program is customized to help attendees address those issues and manage their condition. Customers can schedule individual consultations or participate as part of a group for additional support.
During the sessions attendees will learn:
- How to make smart choices when dining out.
- How to count carbs and plan healthy meals.
- Techniques to cope with the stress that can come with a diabetes diagnosis.
- How to prevent complications and spot signs of hypo- and hyperglycemia.
- To control portion size and keep food logs based on their dietary needs.
“About 29 million Americans have diabetes, and managing the disease can come with a significant learning curve,” said Kristin Williams, senior vice president and chief health officer at Hy-Vee. “Our registered dietitians are here to help educate and support program participants on their journey to making their lives healthier and happier.”
Hy-Vee’s Begin program provides building blocks for weight management through detailed journals and recommendations for healthier eating, including biometric screenings. More than 15,000 individuals have completed the 10-week lifestyle management program. The company also offers a four-week Begin 4 Kids program that emphasizes food groups, activity and eating for good health, along with the Hy-Vee KidsFit™ program and website that encourages children to get excited about moving and exercise.
“Whether the goal is to prevent or manage a diabetes diagnosis, lead a healthier lifestyle or ensure children learn about healthy eating habits and exercise, Hy-Vee is committed to optimizing each customer’s well-being at every life stage,” Williams added.
Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one in three adult Americans, or 86 million people, have pre-diabetes and nine out of 10 of them do not know they have it. To further address this epidemic, Hy-Vee recently launched a pilot initiative in 50 stores that helps pre-diabetic individuals lead healthier lives. The intent is that this pre-diabetic program will also be rolled out to all Hy-Vee stores in the near future.
To learn more about the Begin programs, visit https://www.hy-vee.com/health/begin-program/default.aspx or contact your local Hy-Vee in-store registered dietitian.
###
Hy-Vee, Inc. is an employee-owned corporation operating more than 240 retail stores across eight Midwestern states with sales of $9.8 billion annually. The supermarket chain is synonymous with quality, variety, convenience, healthy lifestyles, culinary expertise and superior customer service. Hy-Vee ranks in the Top 10 Most Trusted Brands and has been named one of America’s Top 5 favorite grocery stores. The company’s 84,000 employees provide “A Helpful Smile in Every Aisle” to customers every day. For additional information, visit www.hy-vee.com.