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3. Health
4. Food & nutrition
5. Healthy eating
What is healthy eating?
Video Gallery Full/Transcript
Healthy eating means eating a variety of foods from the four food
groups to feel good and maintain your health. Eating well along with
being active can also lower your risk of disease and help you
reach--and maintain--a healthy weight.
How to eat healthy
Follow these steps to help you eat healthy:
1. Eat the right types of food by following Canada's Food Guide.
Choose a variety of foods from each of the four food groups.
2. Eat the recommended amount of food for your age, sex, and activity
level.
3. Read food labels to compare and choose healthier foods when
shopping. The Nutrition Facts table and the Percent Daily Value can
help you make better choices.
4. Limit foods and drinks that are high in calories, fat, sugar, and
sodium.
Healthy food choices
Eat these foods more often:
* vegetables (especially ones that are dark green or orange)
* fruit
* whole grains (like barley, brown rice, oats, quinoa, and wild rice)
* lower-fat milk (skim, 1% or 2% milk) and milk alternatives like
fortified soy beverages
* fish (like char, herring, mackerel, salmon, sardines, and trout)
* lean meat (skin removed and fat trimmed)
* meat alternatives (like beans, lentils, and tofu)
Get more tips on making healthy food choices.
Did you know?
Canada's Food Guide suggests drinking water regularly. It can satisfy
your thirst without adding calories!
Foods to limit
The following foods and drinks should be consumed only occasionally and
in limited quantities because they are high in calories, fat, sugar,
and/or sodium.
* cakes and pastries
* cookies and granola bars
* ice cream and frozen desserts
* chocolate and candies
* doughnuts and muffins
* French fries and other fast foods
* nachos
* potato chips
* alcohol
* fruit-flavoured drinks
* soft drinks
* sports and energy drinks
* sweetened hot or cold drinks
Get ideas on healthy alternatives to these foods.
For more information
* Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide
* Food labels
* Nutrition claims
* My Food Guide personalized interactive tool
* My Food Guide Servings Tracker
* Food labels interactive tools
* Food allergies
* Food safety
* Physical activity
For industry and professionals
Date modified:
2013-05-31
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