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Healthy eating never more important than during the December Holiday period…

November 23, 2014 in Events, Health & Nutrition |

We are moving into holiday season where many tend to over indulge.  Maintaining a balanced and healthy diet at this time of the year is especially important.  I thought it appropriate to pass on some healthy eating ideas from Cathy Pearson at Mackenzie Health.  Below is a blog post written by Kevin Lopes around Canadian Thanksgiving that I would like to provide my readers:

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Just a few days before families were getting together over Thanksgiving dinner, Mosaic was able to have Cathy Pearson from Mackenzie Health return to talk about and answer questions on nutrition. In her presentation Cathy touched on a number of subjects from reasonable portions, processed and refined foods, and salt. After an eye opening presentation about nutrition I was able to ask Cathy what information she felt was most important on nutrition. Here are Cathy’s top 5 tips for nutrition.

1. Reasonable Portions

Do you know what a reasonable portion size is? Think about what you eat every day. Now take a look at this handy portion guide. Is there a difference? A common problem in our society today is that we often eat more than we are supposed to in a day. By having a sense of what a reasonable portion is you can avoid over eating, and eat reasonably sized meals.

2. Watch Your Sodium

Do you know how much sodium you should be having every day? Today, most adults have around 3400mg of salt. You should be having no more than around 1500 mg of sodium a day, which is less than a TEASPOON A DAY! You can find tips for how much sodium you should have every day, and where to get it here.

3. Variety

Have a variety of foods to eat, and don’t be afraid to switch up what you are eating. Don’t eat just a plate of veggies. Add some variety to the salad with, some meat and/or rice. By eating a variety of foods from each of the four food groups you make sure you get different types and amounts of key nutrients.

4. Colour

A plate of rice, potatoes, and coli flower is dull, not only in colours but in nutrients. Add colour to your food, and a variety of it. Veggies are a great way to add colour to your plate, from green broccoli, to brown mushrooms, to red tomatoes. Adding colour to your diet will ensure that you are getting a variety of key nutrients.

5. Enjoyment

The most important tip is to enjoy your food! Food is an important part of our lives, and is a source of not only health, but happiness. Find foods that you like and craft your diet around them. This will make your meals not only healthy, but enjoyable too!

With food playing such a big and important role in our lives, it is important to have a good understanding of what is good nutrition. Following a diet that is health for you will make you stronger, healthier and give you more energy. If you are looking for more useful information on nutrition and healthy eating visit www.dieticians.ca. Happy eating!

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A picture of Cathy Pearson’s display that features sodium during her presentation.

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