Nutrition with Intention: Navigating National Nutrition Month

By Jennifer Green • 10 Feb 2026 • 3 min read

March is National Nutrition Month, but for many of us, this is more than just a calendar reminder to eat our fruits and vegetables. It is time for us to move from reactive healthcare to proactive wellness by engaging with your benefits early in the year.

Being a “wise consumer” of your health doesn’t mean doing it all yourself; it means knowing what embedded wellness resources are included in your medical plan and using them to reduce your long-term risk, stress, and out-of-pocket costs.

Are you aware that your medical insurance is a powerful tool for nutritional health? Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), many preventive services are covered with $0 cost-sharing for you. Here are three value adds:

Digital Coaching: Wellvolution through Blue Shield of California offers $0 access to apps like Betr Health, which provide 1-on-1 virtual coaching with nutrition experts and Registered Dieticians.
Preventive Screenings: During the first quarter of the year, get your “know your numbers” bloodwork done, such as cholesterol, A1C, and blood pressure. These results often trigger additional covered benefits, such as weight management programs or intensive behavioral counseling.
Telehealth: Most major carriers now offer virtual nutrition counseling. You can consult with an expert from your kitchen or office, making “nutrition intention” much easier to fit into a busy schedule.

Blue Shield of California members can call Teladoc at 800-835-2362 for 24/7 support or to set up their account over the phone. For more information, visit Blue Shield of California's Teladoc page HERE.

Becoming a wise consumer also applies to how you shop and eat. Here are 3 tips:

Shop the Borders: The outer edges of the grocery store hold the “whole foods” (produce, lean meats, dairy). Intentional shopping starts here.
Watch out for Added Sugars: Wise consumers look past the marketing on the front of the box. Check the Nutrition Facts label specifically for Added Sugars—aiming for less than 10% of your daily calories.
Meal Prep: Think of meal prepping on Sundays as “health insurance” for your work week. It prevents the high-cost, high-sodium “emergency” takeout order when you’re stressed.

Join Venbrook for our monthly Nutrition Navigator series.

The Nutrition Navigator series is designed to help you become a wise consumer of your health. Keep an eye out for our upcoming 3/11 webinar on Beyond Numbers: Understanding Nutrition for Lasting Results.

Resources

EatRight.org: The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ hub for National Nutrition Month, featuring tip sheets and “Find an Expert” tools.
MyPlate.gov: A simple, visual guide from the USDA to help you balance your plate at every meal.
Podcast Recommendation:
- The Nutrition Diva - science-based bites on food myths
- Maintenance Phase - a deep dive into the junk science behind wellness fads
Start nutritional coaching or find healthy recipes with Wellvolution through Blue Shield of California. You can take a one-minute "health profile" quiz to be matched with specific programs. These often include:
- Personalized Coaching: Access to human coaches via apps for nutrition and lifestyle changes.
- Specialized Apps: Access to premium versions of programs like WeightWatchers, Betr Health, or Digbi Health (which focuses on gut health and DNA-based nutrition).
- Diabetes Prevention: One-on-one coaching and digital tools (like a Fitbit or smart scale) if you qualify.