Our Health Library information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Please be advised that this information is made available to assist our patients to learn more about their health. Our providers may not see and/or treat all topics found herein.

Healthy Eating: Getting Support When Changing Your Eating Habits

Overview

Having support from people in your life is one thing that helps make healthy eating a lot easier.

Support for healthy eating can come in many different forms. It might be:

  • A friend who notices how you're eating better.
  • A family member who doesn't tempt you when you're trying to eat less of certain foods.
  • A coworker or neighbor who plans, makes, and enjoys a healthy meal with you.
  • Someone from a healthy-eating class or support group who shares recipes or just listens.

The kind of support that's right for you is whatever helps you with your goals. So ask yourself:

  • What healthy eating goal would I like to work on right now?
  • What situations make it hard for me to eat healthy foods and meet that goal?
  • In what ways can people in my life help me with those healthy-eating challenges?

It might help to write down your ideas.

How can others help you?

Family or friends

Your family and friends can do a lot to help you change how you eat if you talk to them about it.

  • Explain why you're making this change.

    Give them your reasons, and explain why those reasons are important to you.

  • Tell them you don't expect them to change their lives for you.

    If they're willing to make some of the same eating changes as you are, that's great. But they can support you even without changing how they eat.

  • Ask for their help.

    Support comes in many forms. It can be positive words and actions or gentle reminders to stay on track. For example, you might ask them to:

    • Help you make healthy food choices. Ask them to encourage you to eat more fruits and vegetables, for example.
    • Encourage you when you slip away from your eating plan. A reminder of how well you've done will help you get back on track.
  • Ask them to be positive about your desire to change.

    Let them know that you'd like to hear encouraging words from time to time, and that their words and actions mean a lot. Hearing how well you are doing with your new eating habits helps you stay with your plan. You might ask them to:

    • Respect your new eating habits and not urge you to eat foods that you don't want to eat.
    • Not say negative things about you or what you eat.
    • Celebrate with you when you reach your goals.

Other ways to get support

Support can come from lots of people. Your family and friends can help you change how you eat, but you also can get help from others. Here are some ways to find support.

  • Find a "food buddy."

    See if anyone in your neighborhood or at work wants to change how they eat. Many people find that having a partner or "food buddy" makes the change easier.

    Your food buddy can remind you how far you've come. He or she can support you when you're having a hard time following your eating plan. You and your buddy can talk about healthy recipes, ways to plan regular meals, and how to fit small amounts of your favorite foods into your food plan, for example.

  • Join a healthy-eating class or support group.

    People in these groups may have some of the same barriers that you have. A local hospital or other health facility may have a wellness center or support groups.

  • Look online.

    The Internet has many online forums and chat rooms for people who are trying to make changes in food choices. You can read and leave messages and chat online with others for support.

Credits

Current as of: September 20, 2023

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

Current as of: September 20, 2023

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

Dear patient

I am excited to announce that I will be relocating my practice to Houston Methodist DeBakey Cardiology Associates. Starting November 4, 2024, my new address will be:

Houston Methodist DeBakey Cardiology Associates
6550 Fannin St.
Smith Tower, Suite 1901
Houston, TX 77030

Please note that my phone number and fax number will also change to the following:
24-Hour Telephone: 713-441-1100
Fax: 713-790-2643
Clinical Support Telephone (M-F, 8-5): 713-441-3515

I am excited about caring for you in my new office and hope you will make the transition with me. I will also continue to refill your medications as I have in the past. To assist, please provide your pharmacy with my new contact information.

Please consider checking your prescription refills to verify that you have enough medication on hand to last you until your next visit. Please note that your medical records will remain at my former office until you authorize their transfer. If you choose for me to continue providing your medical care, please complete and sign the enclosed “Authorization for Release of Medical Records” form and fax it to 713-790-2643. Once we receive your authorization, we will be happy to process the request for you.

Thank you for entrusting me with your medical care. My new team and I are dedicated to making this transition as seamless as possible. For help scheduling an appointment and transitioning your care, please call my new office number above.

I look forward to continuing your care at my new location.

Sincerely,
Gopi A. Shah, MD

Dear patient

Dr. Albert Raizner, Dr. Michael Raizner, and Dr. Mohamed El-Beheary are excited to announce that our practice, Houston Cardiovascular Associates, will merge with Houston Cardiovascular Associates on November 1, 2024.

Our new offices are similarly located in Houston, near the Texas Medical Center and in Sugar Land. Our in-hospital care will continue at Houston Methodist Hospital in the Texas Medical Center and Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital. Importantly, our new offices expand our services with state-of-the-art equipment and amenities. Our core values will always be, as they began over 40 years ago when Dr. Albert Raizner founded HCA:

Integrity – Compassion – Accountability

Our new address and contact information are:

Your medical records are confidential and remain available at our new locations. We consider it a privilege to serve as your cardiologists and look forward to your continuing with us. However, should you desire to transfer to another physician, you may request a copy of your records by contacting us at our new addresses and phone numbers listed above.

We thank you for your trust and loyalty. As always, we will continue to be here to take care of you. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Dr. Albert Raizner,
Dr. Michael Raizner,
Dr. Mohamed El-Beheary