It’s an all too familiar struggle–trying to support your overall health and wellness while managing a busy life at work and home. Between getting the right amount of physical activity and balancing it out with healthy foods, juggling it all can be a challenging (yet rewarding) task to complete. Thankfully, there are a few tools you can use to help make the process easier!
In celebration of National Nutrition Month, let's take a look at the importance of Nutrition Month, the history behind the nationwide initiative, and how your clients and employees can use their Clarity benefits to support their everyday and long-term nutrition. Learn how to use your HSA and FSA below.
National Nutrition Month Explained
National Nutrition Month is an annual nutrition education and information campaign created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. It was first observed in March 1973 as a way to focus attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits.
The goal of National Nutrition Month is to promote nutrition awareness among individuals, families, communities and organizations. This month-long celebration encourages people to make healthier food choices, become more physically active and learn how to make better use of employee benefits that promote health. It also emphasizes the importance of making informed decisions about what we eat in order to improve our overall health.
Importance of Nutrition
Nutrition is a key factor not only in your physical health, but also in your mental well-being. It plays an important role in maintaining good health and longevity. Eating a well-balanced diet can provide numerous long-term health benefits, such as reducing the risk of certain chronic diseases, improving overall physical and mental performance and helping to maintain a healthy weight.
Additionally, regular exercise combined with good nutrition can help to improve short-term health by boosting energy levels and enhancing your mood. Therefore, it is essential to understand the importance of nutrition and how it impacts your daily life.
How to Use your HSA or FSA for Nutrition
With the rising cost of healthcare, many employers are now offering Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) to help employees save money for everyday healthcare expenses.
When it comes to nutrition, these accounts can be used to pay for a variety of services, such as:
- Diet programs
- Exercise equipment
- Nutrition counseling
- Nutritional supplements
- Swimming lessons
These services, along with regular physical activity, can help promote balanced nutrition and wellness. Keep in mind, however, that some services may require a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) from your primary care provider or registered dietician before being eligible for HSA or FSA reimbursement.
Encourage your clients and employees to utilize all of their employee benefits. HSA and FSA can work together to help cover nutritional needs and fill in any unexpected gaps in coverage. Learn more about what’s covered under HSA and FSA here:
Additionally, if you aren’t currently, consider partnering with a third-party benefit administrator that can help you assess your clients’ and employees’ needs and provide resources that can help educate them on how to get the most out of your offerings.
Be Well, Live Well
By celebrating National Nutrition Month, you can create a healthier future for yourself and your loved ones. Through education, awareness-raising activities and healthy lifestyle changes, you can help ensure that your clients and employees have access to the essentials needed for good health.
One of our strongest commitments at Clarity Benefit Solutions is to offer resources that can help you live well. Wellness and nutrition go hand-in-hand so this month, and all months, we hope you’ll encourage your employees and clients to support their wellness in all aspects of health. Have specific questions about your HSA or FSA offerings? Contact us or your Clarity rep today!
