Message from the Minister of Health for Nutrition Month

Posted On: March 5, 2024

opinion

March 5, 2024 | Ottawa, ON | Health Canada

Every March we celebrate Nutrition Month to remind ourselves how important good nutrition is to our health and well-being. This year's theme is “We Are Dietitians!”, and this month we celebrate the crucial role dietitians play in maintaining good nutrition, as well as the benefits of a healthy diet for a better quality of life.

A healthy diet is essential at any age. It can help us feel good. Good nutrition allows our bodies to have the energy they need and our minds to do things that bring us joy and satisfaction. It provides important nutrients to maintain our overall health. It also helps prevent chronic diseases such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes. However, knowing how to choose healthy foods or adopt healthy eating habits in our busy lives isn't always easy. This is where nutritionists come into play.

Dietitians working at Health Canada have played a key role in the development of many healthy eating strategy initiatives, including Canada's Food Guide and new front-of-pack nutrition labeling requirements that can help people make informed decisions about what they eat.

Health Canada continues to develop new tools and resources to promote healthy eating. For example the food guide In summary, which provides a quick overview of what makes a healthy meal, has been translated into more than 30 languages, including 9 indigenous languages. There Food Guide Kitchen contains more than 100 recipes, and the ministry publishes a monthly Food Guide newsletter that provides healthy eating advice to more than 70,000 subscribers.

This includes supporting the nutritional needs of vulnerable populations to ensure that people with special dietary needs have access to high quality, safe and nutritious food.

Health Canada is also a leaderFood Guide Friend Initiative. This is a voluntary initiative that encourages publicly funded institutions to create healthier food environments by increasing the availability of nutritious foods and beverages, improving their appeal, and emphasizing post-secondary educational institutions and recreational areas.

In honor of Nutrition Month, learn more about the ministry's food and nutrition initiatives and familiarize yourself with ours for Nutritionist Day on March 20 Tips for healthy eating.

The Honorable Mark Holland, PC, MP