A local primary healthcare group wants residents to realize that healthy options exist in town when they want to go out to eat.

While some doctors may recommend eating at home more to stay healthy, Dr. Priya Shah, a physician and Aylo Health’s clinical director also wants patients to be realistic.

“Having healthy eating habits is important, but you also have to be nice to yourself,” notes Shah, who joined Aylo Health out of residency at Emory University in 2018. “We focus on prevention through proactive approaches to a healthy lifestyle and not just giving a pill for everything.”

The mom of two young girls notes how families especially are busy and sometimes you just have to find little wins for yourself.

“It’s all about balancing eating habits with healthy choices most of the time,” she adds. “Alot of people think about how diet affects their weight and that’s part of it, but it’s not just for vanity’s sake. Diet can play a huge role in inflammation, your moods and energy levels throughout the day.”

Shah recommends setting goals and having an accountability partner to help keep healthy.

Aylo Health has launched a healthy eating blog on its website, aylohealth.com, in order to focus on local restaurants where residents can find healthy options.

“It’s really about supporting the community and encouraging healthy food choices,” says Shannon Coursey, Community Relations Manager of Aylo Health. “There are so many incredible local small businesses right in our backyard. People often fall in the habit of choosing quick fast food – while there are healthy options available there, neighborhood restaurants that source fresh, high-quality ingredients offer even better choices. By choosing these local establishments, you’re not only making healthier decisions but also helping to support the neighborhood and strengthen our local economy.”

For the first set of restaurants, the healthcare group is focusing on BoJaynes Specialty Foods gourmet market and deli in McDonough to highlight its fresh, homemade deli items like wraps and a sampler plate. The blog and social media posts will include meal examples, videos, photos, and details of healthy options.

Aylo Health also visited Pasta Max and Made Fresh in McDonough and plans to visit other area restaurants in their districts of Henry, Rockdale, Butts and Cobb counties, among others, along the journey. For more information, visit aylohealth.com/blog and follow along on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok at @aylohealth.

By Michelle Floyd