Healthy eating

5 things you should know

1. Healthy eating has many benefits that include more energy, better concentration, achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, a reduced risk of many illnesses — and it is much better for the environment.

2. A healthy diet consists mainly of plant foods such as fruit, vegetables, legumes (e.g. beans, lentils, chickpeas), whole grains, nuts and seeds.

3. Foods are more nutritious when they are closer to their natural state (e.g. whole grains as compared to refined grains); so include many whole foods in your diet and avoid highly processed foods.

4. There are practical guidelines to help people make healthy food choices, including Canada’s Food Guide, My Plate, the Vegetarian and Vegan Diet Pyramid and the Healthy Eating Plate.

5. Tasty, healthy meals and snacks can be prepared in little time and at low cost.