People in rural communities pay more for produce but Canada’s Food Guide recommendations are to eat more fruit and vegetables.
“Although the old rainbow model of the food guide is no longer being used, the largest arc was always vegetables and fruit, so although on the visual of the plate where ideally half of the plate being fruit or vegetables at each meal, that’s not a new concept. Health Canada has been promoting that concept previously and in the community of dietetics is something we’ve been promoting for a long time,” said Erin Reyce, Public Health Dietitian with North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit.
Reyce mentioned that in some of the background documents and resources that Health Canada has provided to professionals, they have recognised some of the determinants of health and health equity issues and how income presents challenges for people to eat healthily.
“It is a conundrum. The reality is to have optimal health and this is what a healthy diet looks like: half of your plate being vegetables and fruit, approximately a quarter of your plate with protein-rich foods with an emphasis on plant-based proteins, and a quarter of the plate being whole grains, ideally. These recommendations are out of reach for many Canadian’s living with a low income,” Reyce said.
Reyce there are ways to eat healthy on a budget such as frozen peas and frozen fruit though, she’s pleased with the guide’s emphasis on local produce and apples, squash and potatoes and notes that dried or canned beans are a low-cost alternative to expensive meats.
The public health dietician suggests purchasing items in bulk when possible. Oranges and citrus fruits tend to be on sale when they are in season and can be purchased in quantity. Squash, she says can be stored throughout the winter and recommends stocking up on dried beans and freezing produce whenever possible.
“The majority of Canadians actually spend a low percentage of their disposable income on food but its the people living with low income such as those living on social assistance, working for minimum wage or relying on a senior’s pension, they may be faced with the difficulty of buying food for good health and making ends meet with what they have,” she said.
Reyce says that in the past, Canada’s Food guide has been scrutinized for being influenced by industry lobby groups such as beef and dairy farmers and Reyce says the current food guide doesn’t appear to be influenced by lobby groups because of the amount of research that has gone into the new guide. She also says she’s satisfied with the emphasis on portion control, the recommendation to drink water with each meal and mindful eating practices.
More information about Canada’s Food Guide recommendations can be found here.Â