Eating a balanced diet is important for maintaining good health and preventing illnesses. Studies show that people in Canada often choose foods that are too high in fat, sugar and calories. Canada’s Food Guide recommends that people include more whole grains, fruit and vegetables in their diets, as well as lean cuts of meat, fish, nuts, eggs and dairy products. Click on the links below to find more information about Canada’s Food Guide, ideas for enjoying a variety of foods, and recipes from around the world. Some of the information is available in different languages.

ActNow Healthy Recipes – This booklet has many healthy recipe ideas. Each recipe has the nutritional information available, so that you know how many calories and nutrients you are putting into your body.

BBC Food Recipes – This website has many different recipes from all around the world. It is a great tool if you want to try a new vegetable or need ideas for foods that you already have in your fridge. You can enter up to three food items in the box and find different recipes that use all those food items.

BC Farm Fresh – This website has information about fruit, vegetables, milk products, meat, grains, etc., that you can find at farms in the Fraser Valley region of British Columbia. You can learn about the kinds of foods that grow in British Columbia and in what months they are available. You can also find addresses to local farms so that you and your family can visit them.

BC Farmers Markets – This website has information about all the farmers markets in British Columbia. Farmers markets are great places where you will find fresh, healthy foods and meet new people in your community. If you want to try something new, farmers can also give you ideas on how to cook local foods that you may have never tried before.

Canada’s Food Guide (English Version) – This website will help you and your family know how much food you need to eat each day and what types of foods are best for you, so that you get enough vitamins, minerals, protein and fibre, reduce your risk of diseases, and maintain overall health.

Canada’s Food Guide (Multilingual Version) – This website will help you and your family know how much food you need to eat each day and what types of foods are best for you, so that you get enough vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, reduce your risk of diseases, and maintain overall health. The information is available in Chinese, Portuguese, Punjabi, Spanish, Tamil, Urdu, Vietnamese, Amharic and Farsi.

Canadian Diabetes Association – This website is for people living with diabetes. It has information on cooking healthy meals, eating the right amount of food, eating out at restaurants, and choosing the right type of carbohydrate foods. It also has tips on diabetes management and prevention.

Dial-A-Dietitian – This website has easy to use information about nutrition. There is a free phone number you can call if you have questions about diabetes, cholesterol, blood pressure, vegetarianism, heart health, allergies, healthy eating, infant nutrition, vitamins and minerals, osteoporosis, pregnancy and weight control. Information is available in 130+ languages.

Dietitians of Canada - Eat well, Live well – This website has a lot of information on eating well. There are factsheets on healthy eating, nutritional quizzes, virtual shopping and cooking games, and a resource centre. You can also look up dietitians (somebody who can give you advice about eating well and weight control) in British Columbia that speak different languages.

Heart and Stroke Foundation – This website has information on ways you can prevent heart diseases and strokes. There are tips on healthy eating, family health, recipes, and healthy weight. Specific information is available for African-Canadian, Chinese, Persian and South Asian communities. Resources are available in English and other languages, including Cantonese, Mandarin, Farsi, Hindi, Punjabi, Tamil, and Urdu.

The Senior Chef - Cooking for One or Two – This website has many different recipes for seniors. The meals are easy to prepare and the food portions are small.

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Last reviewed on July 23, 2007