[AUSTIN, NOVEMBER 14, 2024] – Metabite, a cutting-edge digital nutrition coaching service, and PLANTSTRONG, a pioneer in both nutrition education and plant-based foods, are excited to announce a strategic partnership designed to redefine corporate wellness. Aimed at self-insured employers and payers, this collaboration combines PLANTSTRONG’s expertise in plant-based lifestyle solutions and its comprehensive line of FSA/HSA-eligible food products with Metabite’s high-tech digital platform to deliver measurable health outcomes with significant cost savings through accessible wellness interventions.
With its innovative use of generative AI, Metabite enables users to access personalized, 24/7 nutrition expertise alongside group coaching through a secure, HIPAA-compliant platform. PLANTSTRONG brings a proven approach to lifestyle intervention, delivering expert guidance on plant-based nutrition, along with its 100% FSA/HSA-eligible product line straight to participants. This program offers a unique alternative to “pay-per-click” wellness models by focusing on sustainable, data-backed health improvements that make it easy for individuals to adopt and see results.
A recent pilot program, conducted at Central Garden and Pet, demonstrated impressive results, including a 5.8% average weight loss, 13% decrease in LDL cholesterol, a 7% reduction in total cholesterol and average daily engagement of 20 minutes. These results highlight the program’s potential to positively impact employee health and wellness outcomes.
Robert Boyce, Director of Compensation and Benefits at Central Garden and Pet expressed his enthusiasm: “We are very pleased with the initial results and have removed traditional wellness offerings to make room for this program. With this approach, we are advocating for employees in a way that changes their lives. We’re not trying to convert all seven thousand employees. We’re looking to reach those who need it the most. At the end of the day, it’s a personal choice. We’re offering an educational opportunity and a safe space to find community.”
With Metabite’s experience in technology-enabled health behavior change and PLANTSTRONG’s focus on evidence-based, plant-based nutrition, this partnership will deliver a comprehensive wellness solution tailored to the needs of self-insured employers and payers. The program offers:
- Positive Health Outcomes: Evidence-based interventions are designed to yield measurable health improvements, reducing and reversing chronic disease incidence and supporting outcomes such as lower cholesterol, weight loss, blood pressure improvements, and improved blood sugar. A healthy population is a productive population.
- Cost Savings: By prioritizing preventive health, self-insured employers can achieve substantial savings on healthcare premiums and reduce overall healthcare expenses.
- High-Tech Engagement: The Metabite platform offers personalized, interactive content, AI-supported guidance, and live group coaching, making expert-level support accessible and effective.
- Holistic, Plant-Based Wellness: Participants gain access to PLANTSTRONG’s curriculum, content, and a range of FSA/HSA-eligible plant-based foods delivered directly, ensuring a practical, scalable path to lasting wellness.
“We’re thrilled to partner with PLANTSTRONG to bring a powerful, evidence-based solution to employers,” said Michael Quarshie, co-founder and CEO of Metabite. “By combining our digital engagement expertise with PLANTSTRONG’s whole foods, plant-based approach, we aim to empower employers to reduce healthcare costs and promote healthier, more resilient workforces.”
Rip Esselstyn, Founder of PLANTSTRONG, added, “Our partnership with Metabite represents a major step forward in workplace wellness. We believe that a plant-based lifestyle, paired with ongoing support, education, and proven success strategies, can have a profound impact on individual health and organizational wellbeing. This collaboration allows us to deliver these benefits at scale, with measurable outcomes.”
As employers grapple with rising healthcare costs and high demand for prescription drugs, the Metabite and PLANTSTRONG partnership stands as a forward-thinking solution to address these challenges head-on. Together, they aim to create healthier, more resilient workforces while offering cost-effective health solutions for employers.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Laurie Kortowich
Marketing Director, PLANTSTRONG
Laurie@plantstrong.com
440-653-6498
About Metabite
Metabite is an AI-powered nutrition coaching platform that empowers healthcare providers and employers to deliver cost-effective, personalized diet and lifestyle interventions. With evidence-based dietary guidance and behavior change techniques, Metabite combines tailored content with clinician and peer support to drive lasting dietary change. Metabite’s solutions are used at Fortune 500 companies, universities, and health systems to foster healthy habits and deliver scalable health outcomes.
About PLANTSTRONG
Founded by NYT best-selling author Rip Esselstyn, PLANTSTRONG advocates a whole foods, plant-based lifestyle to prevent and reverse chronic diseases. With a wide range of FSA/HSA-eligible products, PLANTSTRONG offers nutrition education and plant-based food products designed to promote longevity, vitality, and well-being.
