Healthy Gut

Home>Health>Get Healthier>Join A Health Action Plan>Healthy Gut

What you need to know

You can prevent or improve chronic inflammatory disease states by focusing on the gut microbiome and overall gut health. 

Participating in a healthy gut challenge can help you understand the lifestyle factors that optimize your gut health, decrease inflammation, and improve your overall energy.

How the Challenge Works

This plan includes a 21-day healthy gut challenge to move your health baseline and get you on your way to feeling your best. 

If alarm symptoms are noted during this Health Action Plan, you will be asked to meet with an onsite health care provider for review and referral to an offsite specialist.

Back to top chevron-up

Employee spouses are not eligible to participate in this Health Action Plan. But, those enrolled in Sandia medical coverage can complete certain activities for up to $50 each year. Go to Join a Health Action Plan to learn more.

Your Checklist

Your first step is to complete the challenge pre-assessment questionnaires and bring them to your one-on-one appointment or to your first class.

Attend five healthy gut classes in order and meet with a registered dietitian

Complete a 21-day clean food challenge

View at least one of these classes:

  • Best Kept Secret in Medicine (video)
  • Mindful Eating (video)
  • The Importance of the Microbiome (video)
  • Probiotics: Uncovering the Truths and Myths (video)

After 90 days and completion of the 21-day clean food challenge, complete your post-assessment questionnaires and bring them to your healthy gut wrap-up session.

Back to top chevron-up

Resources and Supporting Activities

  • Fitness classes  – Our staff of certified exercise professionals offer a variety of onsite group fitness classes. To participate, you must complete the PAR-Q form.
  • Fitness facilities  – Fitness facilities are open to the entire workforce and offer a variety of cardio and resistance training equipment, perfect for morning, lunchtime, or after-work exercise sessions. To use the facilities, you must complete the PAR-Q form, and in New Mexico, you must also schedule a gym orientation. Call 505-844-2437 to schedule your orientation.
  • Energy Hubs – Our Energy Hub locations are spaces for mindfulness, meditation, stretching, and movement that can help you recharge, restore, and renew your mind and body for increased productivity, health, and safety.
  • NutriChats
  • Request a consultation with an onsite dietitian (call 505-284-4700).

  • Best Kept Secret in Medicine (video)
  • Mindful Eating (video)
  • The Importance of the Microbiome (video)
  • Probiotics: Uncovering the Truths and Myths (video)
  • Essentials of Sleep for Productivity (video)
  • Food as Medicine (video)
  • The Gut Glucose Connection (video)
  • Food Connection Lessons from the Blue Zones (video)
  • In Sync with Your Circadian (video)
  • Dealing with Acid Reflux or Heartburn (video)
Back to top chevron-up

Earn Virgin Pulse points

  • Receive 500 Virgin Pulse points for attending events by video or Skype
  • Receive 1,000 Virgin Pulse points for attending an appointment or live class

Contact Employee Health Services

Preventive Health Services (New Mexico)

505-284-4700, Option 1 (phone lines open at 7 a.m.)
MO307 (behind Buildings 831 and 832)
7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. MT, Monday through Friday

Preventive Health Services (California)

925-294-3500
Building 925 and MO32/Life Design Center
7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. PT, Monday through Friday

Back to top chevron-up

Ready to take action?

Health Action Plan enrollments will reopen in January 2022.

If you’d like to take immediate action to improve your health, visit eatwell.sandia.gov for resources. You can also schedule a one-on-one nutrition appointment with a health coach by calling 505-284-4700.

Quick Tip

Each week you will receive an email with tips and bonus activities related to this Health Action Plan. Get the most out of your program by reviewing your tips and trying out the suggested activities.