New food guide serves up new recommendations

The latest food guide from Health Canada in 15 years- Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide- is an excellent tool for residents looking for information on eating the right types and amounts of food for good health.

"We're happy to see that the new food guide has more inclusive recommendations for the whole family," says Jody Dawson, a registered dietitian with the Healthy Lifestyle team of the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit. "People will see that vegetables and fruit now have the spotlight followed by grains and that it reflects nutritional information for people ages two and up. It also makes recommendations specific to gender and age."

Canada's Food Guide is based on the latest nutritional evidence and recommends a pattern of eating that is consistent with national nutrition guidelines. Healthy eating habits are a key factor in preventing chronic diseases like heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and some cancers and for promoting healthy growth and development in children and youth.

The new food guide, which encourages people to focus on getting most of their nutrients and food energy from vegetables and fruit, grain products with emphasis on whole grains, milk and alternatives and meat and alternatives, also includes information on oils and fats. It is still shown with the familiar rainbow graphic and emphasizes the importance of physical activity with eating well. The guide also offers tips on making healthy choices when out in the community.

The new food guide is also supplemented with a great web site, says Dawson, one that "gives people everything from tips on using the food guide to an interactive tool that will allow people to create their own personalized food guide."

People wanting a copy of Canada's Food Guide can order one on line at www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/food-guidealiment/ indexe.html.