Canada’s Food Guide 2019

 

I am quite content with the Government of Canada having finally updated the food guide. The guide encourages everyone to eat more fruits and vegetables and to opt more often for  plant based recipes for protein. In lieu of juice, milk or other, to make water your drink of choice.

This shift towards plant-based foods comes despite intense lobbying from the meat, dairy and juice industries.

Here below are some highlights and where plant based  foods are mentioned. For the complete guide please visit the site https://food-guide.canada.ca/en  

Hopefully the next guide would of had eradicated meat and dairy altogether.

 

 

Benefits of healthy eating patterns

Making healthy food choices can help you develop a healthy eating pattern. A healthy eating pattern helps you improve your overall health.

The term eating pattern refers to what you eat and drink on a regular basis. In a healthy eating pattern, all the foods and drinks work together to:

• help you feel good
• maintain your health
• meet your nutritional needs

Many of the well-studied healthy eating patterns include mostly plant-based foods.

Plant-based foods can include:

• vegetables and fruits
• whole grain foods
• plant-based protein foods

Eating plant-based foods regularly can mean eating more fibre and less saturated fat. This can have a positive effect on health, including a lowered risk of:

• cancer
• heart disease
• type 2 diabetes

Most healthy eating patterns include little to no highly processed foods.

 

How to eat more protein foods that come from plants

Here are some easy ways to eat more protein foods that come from plants:

• Add soft tofu to a blended soup to make it thicker and creamier.
• Try a bean salad, lentil and rice pilaf or a bowl of vegetarian chili for lunch.
• Make your own trail mix by combining your favourite whole grain cereal with a handful of nuts and seeds.
• Spread hummus on the inside of a whole grain pita and fill with vegetables such as romaine lettuce and shredded carrots.

Each week, plan a couple of meatless meals. As your main course, try using:

• beans in a burrito
• tofu in a vegetable stir-fry
• chickpeas and beans in tacos
• lentils in a soup, stew or casserole

 

We are definitely heading in the right direction

 

Cristina for Peas and Peace