Weight Management and Nutrition

This 12-week weight loss program is designed for adults who want to lose weight, improve their overall health, and increase physical activity. Through weekly group classes led by a registered dietitian, participants learn the basics of nutrition, the importance of regular physical activity and the behavioral changes necessary to achieve and maintain a healthy weight.

Additional instruction includes tips on managing stress, a complimentary cooking class, grocery store tour, and invaluable education from a personal trainer who discusses the importance of aerobic exercise and weight training.

On average, Healthy Lifestyles participants lose 12 pounds during the 12-week session, and more than 25% report increases in their quality of life, including more energy, enhanced self-esteem and improved mood.

Classes meet weekly for two hours at the Ingalls Wellness Center, located at Flossmoor. This weight management program is covered by Ingalls Provider Group HMO insurances.

For more information, or to register, call 708.915.8850.

Are you concerned about your child’s health, nutrition or weight? Does your family need some education about making healthy food choices? Ingalls’ KidFit Camp can help.

Combining the efforts of a fitness expert, dietitian and psychologist, KidFit Camp is a unique, interactive weight management program designed to help nine- to 12-year-old children and their parents establish safe, healthy nutrition and lifestyle habits. The program focuses on changing behaviors and building self-esteem, with an emphasis on achieving gradual weight loss and maintenance to ensure proper growth and development.

During the informative sessions, kids and parents learn about healthy portion sizes, fats, sugars, calories and other terms that help them understand food labels. KidFit Camp also demonstrates ways to add activity to the day. For exercise, a personal fitness trainer suggests fun, easy exercise programs like adventure walks, team sports and independent play. Kids learn the fundamentals of physical fitness like muscle action, breathing techniques and proper form and how to set personal goals.

KidFit Camp also helps families become more realistic about a child's weight, growth and development, and understand the role of exercise and fitness in achieving a healthy weight.

KidFit Camp is offered periodically throughout the calendar year. Classes meet weekly for 12 weeks at the Ingalls Wellness Center, located in Flossmoor. A physician referral is required before enrolling, and at least one parent must attend every session. This weight management program is covered by Ingalls Provider Group HMO insurances.

For more information or to register, call 708.915.8850.

If you are considering bariatric surgery for permanent weight loss, but your insurance company requires six to 12 months of a medically supervised diet, Solutions is the program for you. This program is designed for Ingalls patients who will be undergoing bariatric surgery through our affiliated program at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.

Solutions is a monthly, one-hour group class facilitated by a registered dietitian. Components include a nutrition assessment and invaluable education to help ensure long-term success following bariatric surgery.

Participants meet once a month for six months. The program is offered at the Ingalls Wellness Center, located in Flossmoor.

A physician referral is required. This weight management program is covered by Ingalls Provider Group HMO insurances.

For more information, call 708.915.8850.

One-on-one Nutrition Counseling with an Ingalls registered dietitian is ideal for anyone seeking to adopt a healthier lifestyle through proper nutrition and successful weight management. Individual one-hour consultations include the creation of a customized nutrition plan, education about making healthy food choices, the importance of physical activity and more.

Nutrition Counseling is also recommended for individuals who require medical nutrition therapy for a variety of health-related conditions, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, congestive heart failure, diabetes and more, and for nutritional concerns related to children and the pediatric population. A physician referral is required for individuals seeking medical nutrition therapy.

Nutrition Counseling is also available for athletes looking to maximize their sports performance and for individuals who follow vegetarian or other specialized diets.

Nutrition Counseling is offered at the Ingalls Wellness Center, located at in Flossmoor. Individual one-hour session and packages are available. This weight management program is covered by Ingalls Provider Group HMO insurances.

For more information, call 708.915.8850.

While diabetes is a serious disease that calls for some adjustments in your life, it may not be as difficult as you think. Studies show that by managing blood sugar levels through diet, exercise and medication, you can lower your risk of the problems associated with diabetes.

If you have diabetes, let the experts at the Ingalls Outpatient Diabetes Management Center help you lead a healthy life. Through our program, you’ll learn to:

• Plan meals and snacks that you enjoy
• Monitor your blood sugar
• Administer insulin using the latest techniques
• Manage your medication
• Sensibly add activity to your routine, and
• Manage your stress.

Our staff also counsels women with diabetes before they conceive and helps pregnant women manage gestational diabetes.

The American Diabetes Association recognizes Ingalls Outpatient Diabetes Management Center for meeting the national standards for self-management education. This program is recommended for patients with newly diagnosed or existing diabetes and is covered by most insurances and Medicare.

Ingalls Diabetes Management classes are held at the Ingalls Family Care Centers in Flossmoor and Tinley Park. This program is covered by Ingalls Provider Group HMO insurances.

For more information, call 708.915.7533.

According to some estimates, as many as half of all seniors cared for at home suffer from malnutrition–low or dangerously low levels of protein and other nutrients. But a growing number of active, independent older adults also are malnourished, especially women who live alone, minorities, and low-income seniors.

The most obvious evidence of malnutrition is significant weight loss, usually defined as a loss of 5% body weight or more over a month’s time.

Malnutrition is also a serious concern for seniors hospitalized following an illness or surgery, when eating simply isn’t a priority. That’s where the Ingalls Home Care Restorative Eating Program can help.

Our program focuses on the steps a patient needs to take to become an active participant in re-establishing and maintaining their nutritional health.

Our team of registered nurses, dietitians, therapists, social workers and home health aides works together to provide an individualized nutritional and exercise plan that includes:

• Monitoring caloric intake, ensuring enough calories – and, most importantly, the right kind of calories – are consumed on a daily basis;
• Providing nutritional screenings and education about following a balanced eating plan, including dietary supplements, if necessary;
• Providing instructions related to medications, nutrition and exercise;
• Facilitating follow-up with doctor visits;
• Ensuring professional support to patients and caregivers; and,
• Therapy and counseling services, if needed.

If you suspect a loved one may be suffering from malnutrition–especially following surgery, hospitalization or illness–the Restorative Eating Program can help restore proper nutrition and good health to the people you care about. This program is covered by most insurances and Medicare.

For more information about Ingalls Home Care Restorative Eating Program, call 708.331.0226.

Do you need a speaker for your event or organization? An Ingalls registered dietitian can present an interactive, informative session on a variety of food and nutrition topics personalized for your group or organization.

For more information about Nutrition to Go, call 708.915.8850.