Main logo
  • Pay Your Bill
  • COVID-19 Info
Sign in
  • Get Care Now

    Sentara offers convenient options for care depending on your condition.

    • user-doctor-message.svg

      Virtual Care

      Video visits 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.
    • user-doctor-long-hair-48px.svg

      Walk-In Care

      See a Sentara provider today
    • clipboard-medical-48px.svg

      Urgent Care

      Quality care without the wait
    • calendar-days-48px.svg

      New Patient Appointment

      Schedule an appointment with a primary care provider
    • hospital.svg

      Emergency Room

      Call 911 or go to your nearest ER
    Which Should I Choose?
  • Find a Location

    Sentara operates more than 100 sites of care across Virginia and North Carolina. Find locations near you.

    • Hospitals
    • Imaging Centers
    • Senior Care
    • Schools
    • Emergency
    • Outpatient Care
    • Primary Care
    • Therapy & Fitness
    • Home Care
    View Nearby Locations
  • Find a Doctor/Provider

    Find a doctor or other health care provider perfect for your medical needs.

    • Find a Doctor or Provider
    • Schedule an Appointment
    • Primary Care
    • What is an NP or PA?
    • Sentara Medical Group
    Find a Doctor or Provider
    • The doctor will see you now

      Try Sentara MDLIVE

  • Our Services

    Sentara offers a wide range of medical services throughout Virginia and North Carolina.

    • Cancer
    • Emergency
    • Heart & Vascular
    • Home Care
    • Imaging
    • Maternity
    • Neurosciences
    • Orthopedics
    • Therapy
    • Weight Loss Surgery
    View All Services
    Sentara is a Leader in...
    • mammography-universal.jpg

      Mammography

      Schedule your mammogram today

    • heart-ep-lab.jpg

      Heart and Vascular

      Nationally ranked heart care, close to home

  • Community Involvement

    We inspire, empower and support our community.

    • Purpose
    • Focus Areas
    • Community Impact
    • Partners
    • Team Members
    Learn More
    Featured News
    • NewSentaraLogo.png

      Investment in healthcare career programs

      Sentara Healthcare invests nearly $4 million in two new pipeline development programs to support students pursuing healthcare careers

    • Community Care mobile clinic_rect.png

      Sentara Community Care Achievements

      Sentara Community Care achieves measurable results in 2022, plans to expand across the Commonwealth in 2023

  • About Sentara

    Sentara has a long history of innovation, compassion and community benefit.

    • Careers
    • Classes & Events
    • Community Needs
    • Diversity
    • Foundations & Giving
    • Health & Wellness
    • Newsroom
    • Quality & Patient Safety
    More About Sentara
    Featured News & Press
    • Dennis and NORA.png

      Sentara celebrates partnership with the Network of Regional Advocacy (NORA) and its mission to address social determinants of health

    • Summer Trauma Injuries-Rectangle.jpg

      Let's not meet by accident: Sentara trauma team warns of common summer injuries

  1. Home
  2. Medical Services
  3. Sentara Clinical Nutrition
  4. Nutrition Services
  5. Nutrition and Weight Loss

Nutrition and Weight Loss

For many, losing weight is a frustrating, moving target. You follow a diet plan and lose weight, but you gain it back as soon as you go off the diet. It's a discouraging cycle, often based on the latest diet fads, that leaves people feeling they have no options left.

At Sentara, we understand your struggle and are eager to help you reach your weight loss goals. Our knowledgeable dietitians will review how and what you currently eat to determine what changes you can make to lose weight in a healthy, sustainable way.

Those who need to lose a significant amount of weight and face other health conditions because of it may want to consider weight loss surgery. Our weight loss surgeons and staff have helped thousands of patients lose as much as 100 pounds and more. Often, our patients will go off medication for diabetes, high blood pressure or other conditions.

What type of foods will help with weight loss?

We will work with our patients to develop the best meal and snack plan. Hydrating with the right liquids is also important.

Here are some examples of healthy choices that assist with weight loss:

  • Fruits
  • Lean protein (lean meats, seafood, beans, soy, low-fat dairy, eggs, nuts and seeds)
  • Legumes (Garbanzo beans, lentils, peas, kidney beans, black beans)
  • Non-starchy vegetables (green beans, cucumber, broccoli, carrots, celery, peppers, salad greens, squash, sweet potatoes)
  • Whole grain carbs (whole oats, whole wheat, quinoa, brown rice, whole grain bread and pasta)

Weight loss and overall health

The most effective weight loss occurs when you exercise and base your diet on healthy food. Our registered dietitians will talk to you about making lifestyle changes to create the best conditions for weight loss.

Even a modest weight loss of five to ten percent of your total body weight will produce health benefits, often improving blood pressure, blood cholesterol and blood sugar.

Those who lose a significant amount of weight will also put less strain on their joints and sleep better if they have sleep apnea. In addition, losing weight can help to increase fertility in women during their childbearing years.

And don't forget about the mental health benefits. Our patients tell us they feel proud of their efforts, less depressed and more confident. They can shop for clothes and sizes they never thought they'd get back to and can return to activities they enjoy.

Nutrition and medical weight loss surgery

Weight loss surgery requires a lifelong commitment to eating specific healthy foods in reduced portions, so your smaller stomach doesn't become overwhelmed and unable to digest properly.

To be considered a candidate for weight loss surgery, you will need to meet specific criteria. In addition, we will need to know that serious weight-loss attempts have had only short-term success.

About Sentara

  • Community Involvement
  • Newsroom
  • Clinical Quality & Patient Safety
  • Careers
  • Volunteer
  • For Physicians
  • For Employees
  • Contact Us

Patient Quick Links

  • Sign In to MyChart
  • Find a Doctor
  • Get Directions
  • Patient Guide
  • Pay Your Bill
  • Medical Records
  • Medical Services A-Z

Sentara In Your Community

  • Hospitals & Locations
  • Classes, Events & Support Groups
  • ExploreHealth with Sentara
  • Community Health Needs Assessments
  • Make a Gift
getAppleButton.svggetGoogleButton.svg

  • Privacy Policy
  • User Agreement
  • Social Media Policy
  • Notice of Nondiscrimination
  • Compliance Office
  • Financial Assistance
  • Language Assistance
Your community, not-for-profit health partner. Copyright © 2023 Sentara Health.