Give nutritious foods during the holiday season
By Dr. Charles Gardner

As we gear up for the coming holiday season and the bounty of food and drink that go with get-togethers with family and friends, it is easy to forget that hunger exists in Simcoe Muskoka.

Yet there is evidence that many households trying to make ends meet on a limited income lack the money to buy enough healthy foods to meet their basic nutrition needs from day to day. As a result, the health of both children and adults can suffer.

Every year, the health unit does a nutritious food basket survey in a sample of grocery stores across Simcoe Muskoka, to determine the most up-todate cost of healthy eating for people of different ages and life stages. Family scenarios developed in previous years clearly show that households on minimum wage or social assistance income and paying typical housing costs are finding it difficult to have the dollars left over to buy foods in the amounts recommended to meet nutrition needs and stay healthy. We know that poverty is a major barrier to good health and these scenarios show one reason why this is the case.

Unfortunately, until longer term solutions are in place many low income individuals and working poor families must use food banks and other emergency food services to help make ends meet. Considering their nutritional vulnerability, it's important that the foods they get are rich in vitamins, minerals and other key nutrients that children and adults need for health, but otherwise would be lacking.

If you are considering donating food to your local food bank or other emergency food service this season, check Canada's Food Guide for up-to-date, science-based guidance in making healthy choices. Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide recommends a healthy eating pattern that supports the best possible growth and development and also helps reduce the risk of chronic disease.

Because most food banks and other emergency food services have limited space to keep foods that spoil easily, pick non-perishable food group items such as:

• Vegetables and fruit, like canned items, dried fruit, and 100 per cent juice boxes.

• Grain products, like cold or hot cereals (preferably whole grain and not sugar-coated), converted, brown or parboiled rice, and whole grain crackers.

• Milk and alternatives, like dry powdered milk, canned one per cent or two per cent evaporated milk, and tetra packs of fortified soy beverages.

• Meat and alternatives, like canned baked beans, other canned legumes like chick peas, kidney beans, lentils or soups made with them, nuts or nut butters, canned tuna or salmon, chicken or turkey.

For a copy of Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide and the most recent "Cost of Healthy Eating" reports for Simcoe County and for Simcoe Muskoka, call Your Health Connection Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 721-7520 (1-877- 721-7520). More information about Canada's Food Guide is also available on the Food & Nutrition section of the Health Canada website at http://www.hcsc. gc.ca/fn-an/food-guidealiment/ index_e.html.