Albertsons Adds Tours to Help Diabetics Eat Healthy

The Albertsons Cos. is offering free guided store tours at 400-plus locations with local registered dietitians via its Eating Healthy with Diabetes program to assist customers in making informed eating choices.

Through April 30, the dietitians will help customers set goals, read nutrition labels and learn about mindful eating. The tour concludes at the pharmacy, where specially trained pharmacists discuss additional programs and assistance to manage diabetes, including free testing.

All customers are welcome to participate, regardless of their diabetes status. The information is also beneficial for people following a low-carb diet and those who simply want to make better food choices. The tours are sponsored by Milpitas, Calif.-based LifeScan, the maker of OneTouch products.

"We hope that all of our customers who are interested in taking charge of their health-and-wellness goals can attend the free tours," said Mark Panzer, SVP, pharmacy health and wellness at Albertsons Cos. "This is one more way our stores can be a solution center for our patients and customers."

The Eating Healthy with Diabetes program has grown in scope and popularity. More than 10 years ago, Albertsons Cos. pharmacists recognized that their diabetic patients needed more resources to accompany their medications. They teamed with the company's in-house dietitians to launch the Eating Healthy with Diabetes tour, which now takes place at more than 400 in-store pharmacies across its banners. The updated tour includes food tastings, practical tips on meal planning, and useful nutrition tools, all free to participating customers.

Boise, Idaho-based Albertsons Cos. operates stores across 35 states and Washington, D.C., under 19 banners, including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw's, Acme, Tom Thumb, Randalls, United Supermarkets, Pavilions, Star Market, Haggen and Carrs.