How does Canada’s New Food Guide affect you?
With a new look and simplified recommendations, the new Food Guide may inspire you to make some healthy changes—not just what you eat, but how you’re eating, too!
What’s changed?
As always, the Food Guide encourages Canadians to focus on getting lots of fruits and vegetables. But this update has taken the focus away from food groups and portion sizes and shifted towards the healthy habits of eating.
Wondering how you can make healthy choices that keep in line with the new recommendations?
Eat a variety of fresh and whole foods
Focus on fruit and vegetables, whole grains (whole-wheat breads and pastas, brown rice, barley, etc), and protein (including plant-based protein such as lentils, chickpeas, nuts, and tofu).
Limit highly-processed foods
Compare the nutrition facts on food labels and choose products that are lower in sodium, sugars or saturated fat.
Choose water
Limit sugary drinks and try to include water as your preferred beverage.
Look at food labels
Make healthier choices by understanding the ingredients in packaged and processed foods.
Stay wary!
Marketing can influence you, so stay aware so you aren’t easily swayed away from healthy choices.
Healthy habits
Eating well is more than just choosing the right types of foods most of the time. It includes the where/why/how of your eating too.
Practice mindfulness
Be aware of your eating habits, and notice how hungry you are. As well, take your time when you eat and don’t eat mindlessly.
Cook your food
Plan what you eat, and invite those around you (family and friends) to cook with you. This can cultivate more than just good food, but relationships, too.
Stay true to your roots
Incorporate your culture and food traditions into choosing and preparing healthy meals.
Eat with others
It might take some effort because of your busy schedules, but make efforts to enjoy your food with family, friends, and colleagues.
For more tips on how to eat healthy following Canada’s Food Guide, check out this link.