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When we think about looking after our health, nutrition is often one of the first things that comes to mind and one of the hardest to get right. Conflicting advice, busy schedules, changing health needs, and rising costs can all make it feel overwhelming.
One of the advantages of being a HealthCarePlus Member is access to benefits that help remove some of those everyday barriers. This issue of GoodForYou continues our focus on proactive health, highlighting practical tools available to Members that support wellbeing before small issues become bigger ones.
Nutrition plays a powerful role in prevention, energy levels, and long-term health and having access to the right support can make it easier to take positive, sustainable steps.
Why nutrition matters for prevention
What we eat doesn’t just affect our weight it influences how we feel day to day, how well our bodies recover, and how resilient our health is over time. Nutrition can play an important role in supporting:
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Steady energy levels and digestion
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Immune health and inflammation management
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Ongoing conditions such as diabetes or heart health concerns
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Sustainable lifestyle changes that feel realistic and achievable
Proactive nutrition isn’t about perfection or following the latest trend. For many people, it’s about making small, informed changes that fit into everyday life, that can have a meaningful impact over time.
As one UniMed Member shared after accessing nutrition support:
"Helpful, practical, real-world advice was provided in a friendly, non-judgemental fashion. The easily actionable plans have allowed me to begin my journey to a healthier lifestyle that feels sustainable."
- UniMed Member
How UniMed’s nutrition support helps
As part of UniMed’s Active Benefits, eligible HealthCarePlus Members can access personalised nutrition consultations with experienced New Zealand-registered dietitions, something many members may not realise is available as part of their membership.
Rather than generic advice, this support is tailored to individual health needs, goals, and lifestyles. For Members, it can remove both the cost barrier and the uncertainty that often comes with seeking nutrition advice independently.
Some of the most common reasons Members book a consult include:
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Weight management and general healthy eating
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Gut health and digestive issues
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Managing health risks such as cholesterol or blood pressure
- Health conditions such as diabetes and PCOS
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Specific life stages, including women’s health (such as menopause and endometriosis)
For many members, the value lies not just in the information, but in feeling genuinely heard and supported.
"The expert was amazing; she really took the time to listen and help. Her recommendations were so right, I have been seeing a dietitian who made me feel like just a number, this experience made me feel like a complete person. Your help was lifechanging!"
- UniMed Member
Who this benefit can be especially helpful for
Nutrition support can be valuable at many stages of life, particularly for members who are:
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Managing ongoing or emerging health conditions
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Looking to improve energy, digestion, or overall wellbeing
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Wanting to take preventative steps before issues escalate
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Feeling overwhelmed by conflicting nutrition advice
For some members, it can also act as a helpful reset, a chance to revisit what they already know, learn something new, and regain confidence in their choices.
"The session with the dietitian and consequent report have been a great refresher for me. I have also learnt some new tips and info. This has been a beneficial part of my 'health reset."
- UniMed Member
Part of a bigger picture of proactive health
Proactive health isn’t about doing everything at once. It’s about having the right tools and support available when you need them.
Access to this nutrition support is one of the ways HealthCarePlus members can take a positive, practical step towards better health with guidance that’s personalised, supportive, and focused on long-term wellbeing.
But, Nutrition doesn’t exist in isolation. It works best alongside other proactive health supports, such as movement, recovery, and preventative care. UniMed’s Active Benefits are designed to work together, helping Members take a more joined-up approach to their health, one that supports both prevention and everyday wellbeing.
Later in this issue, we’ll also explore how movement and recovery play a complementary role in staying well.
Eligibility and next steps
If you’re a UniMed member, this benefit may already be available to you as part of your HealthcarePlus membership:
This benefit is only available to our Members with the following Health Plans from UniMed: Primary Care, Primary Care Extra, #care4U and Hospital Select.
Not covered?
If you don’t currently hold one of these policies, you’ll need to purchase a Health Plan first before you can access this benefit. You can find out more about these plans and sign up here.
A Final Thought from Us
UniMed’s nutrition support reflects a shared commitment to helping Members stay well, not just treat illness. When combined with other Active Benefits like bowel screening , mental wellbeing support and SkinVision, it supports a truly proactive approach to health.
If you’re eligible, this is a great opportunity to invest in your wellbeing now with guidance that supports a healthier future, one step at a time.
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