Health & Nutrition
CanadianMomEh understands that health and nutrition are an important part of a family’s well-being. Often times we want to make a change in our lifestyle but simply do not know how or where to start.
We’re excited to introduce guest blogger and CanadianMomEh follower, Nida A. Mir with the first in a series of posts on health and nutrition.
About Nida:
Nida grew up in West Island Montreal. She completed a Bachelors of Science in dietetics and human nutrition and is registered with the Dietitians of Alberta and L’Ordre Professionnel des Diététistes du Québec. She currently lives in Edmonton Alberta. As a recent graduate, she is working on pursuing a career in community nutrition in her new home town, while working with the South Asian community. In her spare time, Nida enjoys trying new baking recipes; everything from cupcakes to cakes too criminal to bake for her reputation. She also enjoys staying physically active by running and is currently enjoying her new yoga classes.
HEALTH AND NUTRITION
By Nida A. Mir
1. Nutrition Basics and Eating Well with Canada’s Food Guide
Parents and children agree that food can be healthy and taste good too. As a nutritionist, I understand the complexities that people face in having to ensure the best nutrition for themselves and their loved ones. I plan on using tools that parents use to improve their children’s health through nutrition. If you notice that your children are curious about nutrition but are not sure where to start, then follow some of my basic tips that may help you on a path towards healthy eating habits!
This may sound familiar to you as your kids may have brought a copy of Canada’s Food Guide home from school; however, instead of this guide lingering in their backpacks or collecting dust on your countertop, take a few minutes to open it up and read the information carefully.
Canada’s food guide was created for Canadians by grouping foods by the types of nutrients they provide. Its recommendations have evolved over time to support a variety of foods that provide all the nutrients needed for healthy growth and maintaining health while limiting those that are linked to chronic illnesses affected by diet.
The guide also advises on healthy portions and number of servings by gender and age group. It also provides you with cool tips on how to incorporate better nutrition and exercise into your daily life.
I love using Canada’s food guide and many of my patients know this. So let’s give the guide another look and post it somewhere accessible to serve as a visual reminder that the kitchen is a place for healthy meals.
2. Revamp your grocery list
Ask yourself if your kids are getting enough milk and alternatives, grain products, vegetables and fruits or meat and alternatives. You may find that your kids have enough milk and that you incorporate not only wheat but rice and some couscous in their diet as well; however, fruits and vegetables are always hard to cover. Your kids may not like any other meat other than deli meats. Understanding what your kids may or may not be willing to give up will be your own personal intervention on attacking the nutrition concerns of your children. So pace yourself, this may be a bit of a challenge, but you can do it! The next tip can give you some pointers on how to do it.
(NEXT WEEK: Strategizing on how to increase those “low in” foods)
The name of your blog made me laugh! I never realized how much we say Eh, until a customs agent in Florida guessed right away we were Canadian, before we even showed him our Passports, because of how we used eh after every sentence!
Cute story. It’s true eh?