Blog

Healthy eating is on top of mind for 2016! It’s not surprising since unhealthy diet is one of the primary risk factors for chronic disease. New study revealed that Canada has the second highest rate of diabetes among comparable countries and that 2/3 of health care costs can now be attributed to chronic diseases associated with unhealthy eating.  What’s the answer?  Healthy eating!  Study after study confirms that healthy eating is a great ways to lower risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, high blood pressure & diabetes.

In 2016, 3 key nutrition & wellness themes may influence day to day life and food business decisions:

1. Pulses
2. US Dietary guidelines
3. Dietitians of Canada Nutrition Month

1. Pulses 

The World Health Organization declared 2016 International Year of Pulses (IYP). This is great news for Canada since we are the worlds’ largest producers of dry peas and lentils.  Pulses also include dry beans and chickpeas.  Nutrition professionals are delighted to promote pulses because they are an important part of a healthy diet. Pulses are a great source of plant-based proteins, high in fibre and nutrient dense.  As part of a healthy y diet pulses are known to help address obesity, as well as lower risks of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer.

You’ll be hearing lots more about pulses in 2016.  A global food movement is challenging people to take the ‘pulse pledge’, that is commit to eating pulses once a week for 10 weeks.   Canada’s pulse industry is planning over twenty events and activities across the country that will educate Canadians about the health, nutrition and environmental benefits of eating pulses.  Look for great recipes on Pulse Canada’s website www.pulses.org or contact a Registered Dietitian for recipes, cooking tips and more information.

2.US Dietary guidelines

The new U.S. dietary guidelines were released on Jan. 7, 2016 and will shape the US nutrition policy and programming for the next 5 years. Canadian media and health professionals are looking closely at the nutrition directions south of the border for signs of change that will likely influence Canadian regulators. The top trend is the direction in overall healthy eating patterns with less emphasis on any one food or single nutrient. Healthy American, Mediterranean and Vegetarian eating patterns are highlighted with a focus on variety, nutrient density and portion control. Nutrients to limit continue to be sugars, saturated fats and sodium.

The 2015 US Dietary Guidelines create opportunities for manufacturers, trade groups to promote and support healthy eating.  Registered Dietitians are the trusted food and nutrition experts who are ready to help both consumers and manufactures interpret and implement the new healthy eating plans by suggesting the types of food to eat, amounts of food eat and how to cook healthy meals.

 3.Dietitians of Canada Nutrition Month campaign

March is Nutrition Month and every year Dietitians of Canada challenges Canadians to commit to healthy eating.  Dietitians know that too many changes at once can be overwhelming and hard to keep up. That is why the 2016 campaign is dedicated to supporting Canadians to make small nourishing changes to their eating that they can stick to over time. There are many ways to improve the foods we eat and the way we prepare them so stay tuned for more tips in March about small changes that have a big impact over time.

2016 is the year of change. Since unhealthy diet is one of the primary risk factors for chronic disease, consumers are looking to food and beverages for prevention and treatment.  Food business professionals have the opportunity to make a difference by embracing and leveraging the up to date evidence based resources and messages provided by these top 3 campaigns. Join the healthy eating movement and work with regulated health professionals in 2016 help you leverage the year of pulses, new US guidelines and Dietitians of Canada’s Nutrition month.