Our Vision: We are passionate about healthy living by eating plant-based, whole foods. We strive to be recognized as the leading plant-based eating pattern and lifestyle program to reverse chronic disease in San Antonio, Texas and beyond.

What does the program focus on?

We are an evidence-based, intensive lifestyle medicine program that uses lifestyle interventions to treat the person holistically. Evidence shows that health can be improved with the six pillars of Lifestyle Medicine: a predominately whole food, plant-based (WFPB) dietary eating pattern, physical activity, restorative sleep, stress management, healthy social connections, and avoiding risky substances. These topics are threaded throughout the six month program.

How does the program work?

Green Wellness Program: Plants-2-Plate™ is a six month commitment. The program bills the participant’s insurance using shared medical appointments (SMAs), or group medical visits. A group of patients meet every week for twelve weeks and then monthly for the next three months. There are three individual nurse practitioner medical appointments with fasting labs at zero, three, and six months. Patients will individually meet with the registered dietitian twice.

There are five start dates per year available. All SMAs are on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m., 1:15 p.m., or 3:00 p.m.

The SMAs are located at the UT Health San Antonio School of Nursing Wellness 360 clinic area. Patients will meet as a group and learn about each other’s their medical needs and be provided evidence-based education to support the six pillars of wellness. We guide patients to develop personalized goals that supports long-term healthy behavior changes.

How much does the program cost?

The SMAs, individual provider, and registered dietitian medical appointments are billed through insurance and most major plans are accepted (HMOs are not accepted at this time). Patients are responsible for insurance co-pays (billed as a family practice visit—non-specialty) and deductibles.

How do I join the program?

Request information here and the program director will get back with you soon.

What is a whole food plant-based diet?

A WFPB is focused on food that comes primarily from plants—fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, oils, whole grains, and legumes.

Dairy, meat, fish, and processed foods are not part of a WFPB diet.

Is a whole food plant-based diet right for you?

People living with chronic conditions such as diabetes type 2, heart disease, hypertension or obesity may benefit from a plant-based diet. All individuals can benefit from a WFBP dietary eating pattern, to include children and pregnant women. Some people experience different benefits from a plant-based diet, such as:

  • Improved fertility
  • Improved diabetes
  • Weight loss
  • Improved blood pressure
  • Better heart functioning
  • Improved GI functioning
  • Increased energy & immune function
  • Decreased cravings for food with empty calories
  • Overall feeling of improved wellness

Meet the Lifestyle Medicine Expert Team

Heidi L. Benavides DNP, MSN, APRN, RN, CMSRN, FNP-C
Program Director | benavidesh@uthscsa.edu
Heidi Benavides is a family nurse practitioner who is passionate about plant-based nutrition and lifestyle medicine to prevent, manage, and reverse chronic illness. Heidi is  the Green Wellness Program: Plants-2-Plate™ director who believes in utilizing shared medical appointments with an interdisciplinary methodology. This program is improving health outcomes to South Texas residents, and nationally recognized and published expert in plant-based nutrition.

Christiane Meireles PhD, RD, LD
Christiane Meireles is a registered and licensed dietitian in the state of Texas with over 35 years of experience. She is a clinical  associate professor in the School of Nursing at UT Health San Antonio. Dr. Meireles earned her Ph.D. in a dual program with the Federal University of Sao Paulo-Brazil and Emory University, Atlanta, GA. She continued her postdoctoral training at the Department of Nephrology, Emory University by working with protein degradation in renal disease. She has been working with plant-based diet for the last four years.

Paula Christianson-Silva, DNP, FNP-BC, ANP-BC, DipACLM
Dr. Christianson-Silva is a board-certified family and adult nurse practitioner with experience working in outpatient clinics and in hospital settings. She earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice at the University of Arizona. She is board certified by the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. Dr. Christianson-Silva is an Assistant Professor/Clinical and teaches nurse practitioner students at UT Health San Antonio School of Nursing. She serves as the health care provider for program participants.