March is in full blast and, as you may have noticed, this post was published March 14th. Coincidence? I think not! In addition to being Pi Day (everybody gets to eat a slice of pie for that one!), March 14th is also Dietitians’ Day! Woot! Woot!
The theme for this year’s nutrition month is Unlocking
the Potential of Food. What does that mean? Well, it means that food is more
than just calories to sustain our bodies. Food is an integral and very much
needed part of our day. So what is the potential of food? There are many
answers to that question, but we will tackle 5 of them together today:
1) The Potential to FUEL
As I am sure you have noticed that foods are made of
calories. Calories are the unit of measurement of energy. In simple terms: food
gives us energy. That being said, you can get different qualities of energy
because food is not all made equally. You only have one body, and you have the
power to CHOOSE the best fuel
that enters it. So do yourself a favor and opt for more nutritious foods. Where
to start? I will write a post on a balanced diet in the future, but for today,
I would like to highlight the importance of protein and fiber. Both these
things have something in common: they give you satiety. Satiety is when you are
satisfied after a meal, like you have eaten enough and your fuel gauge is back
up. This also means that you will have the energy necessary to do your daily
activities for longer, as opposed to eating a quickly absorbed sugar that makes
your energy peak and crash, leaving you feeling tired shortly after your meal.
2) The Potential to
DISCOVER
How many parents let their children cook at a young age?
How many parents take the time to teach their children how to enjoy cooking?
Too few, that’s the answer. Children are exposed to over 25 million food and
drink advertisements per year, 90% of them being of products high in sugar,
salt and destructive fat. Without the adequate knowledge obtained while being
in the kitchen at a young age, children are more prone to rely on these
pre-made products. But we have the power to do differently! There are many
resources online with kid-friendly recipes that are mouth-watering! For
example, these No-Bake Energy Balls (see link below) are fun to make and can be
a nutritious (and delicious) snack. Children will for sure be proud of their
creation! And it doesn’t stop with children! Tasting foods from different
countries is a great way for everyone to experience different cultures. Not to
mention that sharing recipes with family and friends is a great bonding
experience!
Find recipe here: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/245429/no-bake-energy-balls/
3) & 4) The Potential to PREVENT and to HEAL
I’ve decided to merge these two topics because they are
very closely related. Dietitians are an integral part of the healthcare team in
hospitals, clinics, rehab centers, etc. We work with medical doctors, nurses,
pharmacists, occupational therapists and many more professionals to heal your
body. Our specialty: healing through food! As I am sure you have heard, you are
what you eat. Your body will regenerate itself using what you feed it. Dietitians
are present to adapt a meal consistency in case of dysphagia, helping heal the
gut in case of irritable bowel disease, make lifestyle choices to prevent
chronic diseases, and much more. Did you know that lifestyle changes can reduce
the risk of developing type 2 diabetes up to 70% and cardiovascular diseases up
to 80%? Take a moment to let that sink in. Chronic diseases are, as the name
states, chronic. For this reason, they are greatly affected by your lifestyle
habits. Opting for healthier habits such as eating balanced meals, exercising
and ensuring proper sleep are quite preventative. And the good news is that
it’s never too late! Whether it’s reducing medication dosage or completely silencing
the disease, positive changes can be found through food.
5) The Potential to
BRING US TOGETHER
I will be honest and tell you that this is my favorite
topic in this year’s nutrition month. Imagine this: you have a long lost friend
that you would like to catch up with. What do you do? Meet up over supper!
Easter is around the corner and your family will all gather together over what?
Food! You had a long day at work and want to catch up with your spouse and
kids, when is the best time to chat together? Suppertime! Unfortunately, a
quarter to a third of families say that they never or rarely eat together, mostly
due to lack of time. For this nutrition month, I would like to reinforce the
importance of eating together around the dinner table. Children who regularly
eat meals with their family also tend to do better in school and have reduced
chances of developing weight problems and eating disorders. Children and adults
alike tend to make healthier food choices when eating together, at the table.
For these reasons, I encourage you to take the time to sit at the table and
talk those that are sitting with you.
Say it with me: This nutrition month, I will unlock the
potential of food!
Source: Dietitians of Canada campaign for Nutrition Month
For more information, visit www.nutritionmonth2018.ca
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