Eat Fit Continues Statewide Expansion in Partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation of Louisiana

LAFAYETTE, La. – Eat Fit, a program of Ochsner Health System (Ochsner), announced today that its program will expand statewide in partnership with the Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation of Louisiana (BCBSLAF) to Lafayette, serving as a resource for all things wellness. The newest region, Eat Fit Acadiana, is also in partnership with Lafayette General Health (LGH). Partners since April 2015, LGH and Ochsner are continuously looking for joint ventures to improve the health of the community.

Eat Fit— a program that encourages chefs to offer nutritious, delicious meals for those who want to eat clean, watch their weight and manage certain health issues— was founded by Ochsner Fitness Center Registered Dietitian Molly Kimball in New Orleans in 2013. Free to all restaurants and foodservice partners, Eat Fit encourages nutritious choices whether an individual is looking to lose weight, feel better or look better, along with help to manage health issues including diabetes, cholesterol and high blood pressure. The Eat Fit team of dietitians works closely with local restaurants, markets and other types of foodservice establishments to identify and develop dishes that meet the Eat Fit nutritional criteria. These items are identified directly on the menu with the Eat Fit seal of approval, making the healthy choice the easy choice when dining out.

“Our mission is to help people to live the strongest, healthiest lives possible,” said David Gaines Chief Executive Officer – System Retail Services & Senior Vice President of Public Affairs, Ochsner Health System. “Eat Fit has been a successful program aimed at providing nutritious dining options that can easily be integrated into new lifestyle changes. This is one of the many ways we are committed to improving health and wellness across the state.”

Eat Fit Acadiana will be staffed with an Eat Fit Registered Dietitian who will serve as a liaison between Eat Fit, the local community and program partners. As the physical support to each region, these registered dietitians will embark on a three-pronged mission of transforming access to healthy eating by incorporating Eat Fit into restaurants and markets, prevention and management of chronic disease through positive lifestyle changes and improving nutrition literacy for all individuals.

“The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation is committed to supporting regional initiatives like Eat Fit,” said Michael Tipton, the organization’s president. “We know from many years of investing in this field that communities that work together toward an inclusive vision of health are most likely to be successful. Eat Fit fostered that kind of change in New Orleans, and we’re excited to see the same long-lasting, sustainable results across the state.”

Eat Fit expansion into Acadiana will include restaurant partners Zea, Tsunami, Good Eats Kitchen, Social Southern, Whole Foods Market and many more, with plans to gain additional restaurant partners over the next three years. View a full list of Eat Fit Acadiana restaurant partners here.

“Joining together on Eat Fit Acadiana was an easy decision,” said David L. Callecod, FACHE, LGH President. “We are already exploring an Eat Fit Approved Cajun seasoning blend and I foresee many great things coming from this initiative.”

Additional partners in the Eat Fit coalition currently include Louisiana Department of Health, Healthy BR, Fit NOLA, Well-Ahead Louisiana, FoodCare, Louisiana Restaurant Association, Ochsner Health Network, Louisiana Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Ballard Brands, Whole Foods Market, Centerplate, Morrison Healthcare, Waitr Meal Delivery App, UberEATS, Cumulus Radio, Natural Awakenings Magazine, and many additional restaurant and grocery partners.

Current Eat Fit regions include Eat Fit Baton Rouge, Bayou, New Orleans, Northshore and Washington Parish with plans to expand to Southwest Louisiana later this year.

Download the NEW Ochsner Eat Fit smartphone app on Google or the Android app store to find participating Eat Fit restaurants with full nutrition facts for Eat Fit menu items, recipes, community wellness resources and opportunities to connect with a health professional in your area.

For more information on Eat Fit and where you can find Eat Fit offerings in your region, visit OchsnerEatFit.com.