In today's rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, Food as Medicine is taking center stage. This approach highlights the vital role of nutritious food in maintaining health, preventing illness and managing chronic diseases. 

Retail plays a crucial role in the Food as Medicine movement by making nutritious food more accessible and affordable to consumers. Grocery stores and supermarkets are increasingly working with healthcare providers to offer personalized nutrition advice, meal planning, and health screenings. These initiatives help educate consumers about the health benefits of various foods and empower them to make informed dietary choices. 

By integrating health services within retail environments, retailers can support individuals in adopting healthier lifestyles and managing chronic diseases more effectively.

The Burden of Chronic Diseases

The CDC’s National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion reports that 60% of U.S. adults live with at least one chronic condition, and 40% manage two or more. These diseases are responsible for seven out of 10 deaths each year, driving a significant portion of our healthcare costs and underscoring the urgent need for effective prevention and management strategies.

Chronic diseases are one of the most pressing public health challenges in the United States, burdening the quality of life for millions of Americans as well as the healthcare system. In 2022 alone, health care spending grew 4.1 percent in 2022, reaching $4.5 trillion or $13,493 per person, according to the Centers for Medicaid Services. Rising healthcare costs are related to the long-term management and treatment of chronic disease, in addition to increased medical visits, hospitalizations, and medication use.  

The Role of Nutrition

Good nutrition is the foundation for a healthy life. A balanced diet can reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. Food as Medicine focuses on integrating nutrition directly into healthcare by supporting people who want to make better-for-them food choices.

 At Kroger, we see this come to life every day. A study in Nature Medicine shows the value of supermarket-based, data-driven dietary interventions paired with modern online shopping tools, to improve dietary quality. Specifically, in-aisle education from a retail dietitian was shown to significantly increase adherence to a heart-healthy diet when compared to traditional nutrition counseling alone, and this adherence was further enhanced when paired with online shopping technologies. 

Registered Dietitians

Registered dietitians are food and nutrition experts who bring a value and unique set of skills to the Food as Medicine movement. Dietitians are trained to deliver Medical Nutrition Therapy, a holistic approach to address diet-related diseases and health equity through evidence-based, cost-effective, personalized nutrition counseling. When delivered in a virtual setting, nutrition counseling removes barriers to care and improves access by bringing a dietitian directly into people's homes. Retail dietitians combine their food, grocery, and clinical nutrition knowledge to develop practical and personalized plans for individuals to improve their purchasing behaviors and food environment to improve their health in a meaningful way. 

Nutrition Rating Systems 

Nutrition rating systems simplify the process of choosing nourishing foods by rating products based on their nutritional value. These tools make it easier for customers to quickly identify foods that align with their dietary needs and health goals. For example, Kroger’s OptUP™ Nutrition Program, powered by bitewell’s FoodHealthScore, scores products on a scale of 1-100, so customers can easily see the nutrition quality of the food they are buying. The higher the score, the better the choice. 

The Intersection of Food and Health

The true potential of Food as Medicine is at the intersection of food and health. Bringing together a team of medical experts—pharmacists, nurse practitioners and registered dietitians—ensures comprehensive care and equips people with the support they need to manage their health effectively.

For example, the Smart Benefits program, a collaboration between Kroger Health and Soda Health, Inc., enhances healthcare access by integrating pharmacy and nutrition services. This initiative allows Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, and employer benefits recipients to use the &more debit card for purchasing eligible food, health items, and services like transportation for medical appointments. 

By emphasizing Food as Medicine, an initiative like this can help support better dietary habits and health outcomes, and significantly impact community health.

The Future of Food as Medicine

Food as Medicine is a powerful approach to managing and preventing chronic diseases. By focusing on nutrition and integrating it into our healthcare system, we can address the root causes of chronic diseases and improve the overall health of our communities. This movement offers a range of tools and services that make it easier for people to make healthier choices and live better lives.

Food as Medicine represents a fundamental shift in how we approach healthcare. By continuing to innovate and educate, retailers can take a proactive role to help create a healthier future for all.