Viva Vitality: Food and its potential to fuel, heal and more
By Medicine Hat News on March 1, 2019.
March is Nutrition Month! Unlocking the Potential of Food is this year’s theme for Nutrition Month. Dietitians work with people to explore the role of food in life. Whether it’s celebrating a wedding, birthday, holiday or sporting event, food is always there. Food not only feeds our body but can improve health, prevent illness, bring us together and allow us to try new things. The potential of food can be viewed as the following: 1. Potential to fuel: About 30 per cent of Canadians say they snack daily. Healthy snacks are an important part of the day because it gives you energy and feeds your body between meals. Snacks are different from treats because snacks offer good nutrition where treats can be higher in sugar and fat. 2. Potential to discover: It is important to inspire families to shop, cook and prepare healthy meals together. Canadians are cooking less and relying more on convenience foods which is not good for our health. Cooking with kids can lead to healthier eating, while decreasing the intake of convenience and take out foods. As children learn these skills it gives them the power to be healthier as they grow. 3. Potential to prevent: A nutritious diet can help prevent illness and can lower the risk of developing certain diseases such a type 2 diabetes and heart disease. A basic healthy diet is one which emphasizes more whole foods, less processed food and models Canada’s Food Guide. 4. Potential to heal: Food is required for the growth and repair of the body, to prevent disease and keep the immune system healthy. Food is also used to promote healing and manage symptoms of many diseases. Food can be used as medicine in hospitals, senior residences, rehab facilities and in your own home. 5. Potential to bring us together: Eating with others gives us time to connect, share and listen to the people around us. Eating at least one meal together a day can improve eating habits. Children who eat meals with their families do better in school and are less likely to smoke, drink or do drugs. Adults who eat together tend to eat more vegetables and fruit, fewer fast food meals and have a lower body weight. Dietitians are part of the health-care team, love food and believe in its power to enhance lives and improve health. By understanding the potential food has, dietitians work with people and groups to address how food and food choices can make a positive impact to everyday life. Visit unlockfood.ca or healthyeatingstartshere.com to learn more about what food can do for you! Melissa Chisholm is a Public Health Dietitian at the Brooks Community Health Centre. She can be reached at 403-501-3315 or by email at melissa.chisholm@ahs.ca. 11-10
