March is nutrition month: plan, shop, cook, enjoy!

Friday, March 01, 2013   by: Kate AdamsNorth Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit
News Release

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During the month of March, celebrate Nutrition Month’s Best Food Forward: Plan, Shop, Cook, Enjoy! There are now so many choices at the grocery store, Canadians struggle to grocery shop, plan meals and eat healthy. Dietitians have some tips to make healthy eating easy and remind you that not all convenience foods are created equal.


In the grocery store, find good-for-you choices in the produce section or ready-to-go stir-fry vegetables. For a quick meal, just add tofu, cashews, or leftover chicken or beef. Since over 75% of the sodium in our diets comes from processed foods, more fresh foods in your cart means healthier eating!


At home, organize your fridge so healthy foods are the first ones you see. Keep fresh snacks, such as hard-boiled eggs, cut veggies and fruit, bean dips and yogurt in plain sight.


Dietitians of Canada can help you plan your meals, navigate the grocery store and cook up healthy food. They have a new mobile app available at www.eatipster.ca, which will deliver a new grocery shopping tip to you every day in March. You can also call EatRight Ontario at 1-877-510-5102 to talk one-on-one to a dietitian or visit www.dietitians.ca for tools and information to make healthy eating easier.


Quote:

“It’s not easy to navigate through a grocery store with the overwhelming number of food choices. Use the practical tips from Dietitians of Canada and eattipster.ca, to save time, money and put healthier foods in your grocery cart.”
Alexandra Shishkov, Public Health Dietitian, North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit


Quick Facts

 In a recent survey by Dietitians of Canada, 63% of Canadians struggled with making healthier food choices in the grocery store and only 37% planned meals in advance.


 According to a 2010 survey, 76% of Canadians check weekly flyers for sales or use coupons as a cost-saving measure and 67% of Canadians prepared a grocery list before going shopping for food.

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