Science-Based Ways to Overcome Unhealthy Eating Habits
Written by IFM Staff
Recent research is helping clinicians better understand what patients really need in order to make sustainable and effective changes in their diets. Studies suggest that direct access to healthy food is one way to improve psychological and physical well-being. When patients with chronic disease are provided with support that helps them to make healthier choices—even over a short period of time—both health and well-being improve.
In a randomized controlled trial over a two-week period, researchers investigated the effects of giving a group of young people a $10 voucher for fruits and vegetables and twice daily text reminders versus giving them the actual fruits and vegetables worth $10 with no reminders.1 While both groups increased their intake of fruit and vegetables, only the group that was given fruits and vegetables showed improvement on measures of flourishing, vitality, and...