Healthy Eating

In Canada, we have four distinct seasons. When we’re eating fruits and vegetables in season, it means we get to enjoy them at their peak freshness. Plus, eating seasonally is sustainable, and it’s great to be able to support our local farmers! This resource from Canadian Food Focus tells you what foods are in-season at different times of the year.

Go to resource

Find tips for making and packing healthy lunches.

Go to resource

Find tips to starting your day off right with a healthy breakfast.

Go to resource

An example of how Vancouver is creating a system for producing, processing, distributing, and consuming food that is environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable as a City priority.

Go to resource

UnlockFood.ca (formerly EatRightOntario.ca) is a bilingual award winning website brought to you by Dietitians of Canada.
On UnlockFood.ca you’ll find information on nutrition, food and healthy eating as well as recipes, videos and interactive healthy eating tools. The content is written and reviewed by dietitians using the trusted information in the Practice-based Evidence in Nutrition (PEN®) database.

Go to resource

The First Nations Perspective on Health and Wellness aims to visually depict and describe the First Nations Health Authority. This visual depiction of the Perspective on Health and Wellness is a tool for the FNHA and First Nations Communities. It aims to create shared understanding of an holistic vision of wellness. This image is just a snapshot of a fluid concept of wellness: it can be adapted and customized freely and is not confined to remain the same.

Go to resource

Aboriginal peoples in Canada have undergone a significant nutritional transition whereby traditional diets and associated physical activities have been replaced with patterns of consumption that increase the risk of developing chronic disease. Understanding this transition, and the benefits associated with traditional diets, is important for developing interventions to prevent chronic disease in Aboriginal communities.

Go to resource

The Healthy Eating Manual is about bringing good nutrition and healthy eating to life in a very practical way, incorporating healthy eating education into existing and developing programs, helping community leaders to help others to learn about nutrition and healthy eating, and spreading the healthy eating message through a variety of people, programs and organizations.

Go to resource

Engergy drinks often claim to give you extra energy, help you to concentrate and feel alert. This resource shares information about some of the ingredients in energy drinks.

Go to resource

Sustainable Food Edmonton is a non-profit charitable organization who initiates and supports projects and programs to encourage the building of community through urban agriculture. We connect communities and kids with their food, how it’s produced, and the planet that makes it all possible.

Go to resource

The Sugar Shocker Education Kit provides fun, interactive activities to help children and youth learn about healthy drink choices. The lesson plans in this kit support the Alberta Education Health and Life Skills Curriculum, and are applicable and adaptable to all age groups. The items needed to teach the activities are included in this kit.

Go to resource

The Stay Active Eat Healthy® program is an evidence-based capacity building initiative developed in BC. Stay Active Eat Healthy® aims to increase the provision of healthy food and beverages while restricting unhealthy options in municipal and community recreation facilities.

Go to resource

Engage youth to try making a salad in a jar at home with the supplies they have available.

Go to resource

Healthy eating at schools supports healthy food environments and provides resources for school teachers, child educators, parents and health professionals working in schools and recreation facilities. Healthy eating environments teach and encourage young Albertans to make healthy food choices and live a healthy lifestyle.

Go to resource

Ready-to-use presentation with information on: A walking tour of Eating Well with Canada’s Food Guide – First Nations, Inuit and Métis; How this food guide was created; What makes it special; and Where to find more information about Canada’s Food Guides.
This presentation has been developed for all educators involved in promoting healthy eating. These educators include: Community health workers and community health representatives; Dietitians and nutritionists; and Nurses (such as those working in public and community health).

Go to resource

This Action Guide supports British Columbia’s local governments in their efforts to build healthier communities for all. It shares promising practices and examples of how local governments can create conditions that support healthy and thriving communities.

Go to resource

Osteoporosis Canada is the only national organization serving people who have, or are at risk for, osteoporosis. The organization works to educate, empower and support individuals and communities in the risk-reduction and treatment of osteoporosis.

Go to resource

The percent daily value (% DV) found in a nutrition facts table can help you make informed food choices. Learn how to use % DV to choose healthier foods.

Go to resource

Looking Nourishing Beginnings is a free online nutrition program created for Alberta Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) educators by leaders in nutrition and ELCC in Alberta.

Go to resource

This toolkit supports program providers and health professionals who work with newcomers to Canada. It is a collection of nutrition teaching resources for people with basic English literacy and diverse cultural backgrounds.

Go to resource

This report is divided into three sections followed by a concluding chapter which lists the key recommendations that have resulted from NWAC’s engagement project on a National Food Policy for Canada. The first section outlines the discussions that took place during NWAC’s Board of Directors roundtable discussion on food policy, including the development of culturally relevant and gender-specific questions. The following section outlines the responses from grassroots Indigenous women on what they think should be included in the National Food Policy for Canada. The third section provides an analysis of NWAC’s social media advocacy and an online survey that helped raise awareness of how food insecurity affects Indigenous women. The concluding chapter outlines the recommendations that address environmental sustainability, access to the land, the need for healthy and affordable food, transferring knowledge of traditional Indigenous foods and improving health outcomes.

Go to resource

The Healthier Food and Beverage Guidelines for Public Events is a collaborative document created by the Housing for Health team working with Alberta Health Services Nutrition Services and being distributed also in partnership with the Alberta Recreation and Parks Association’s Communities ChooseWell.

These simple-to-use Guidelines should be used by organizations, businesses and members of the public to improve the healthiness of food and beverage items served or sold at public events. Any organization, business or members of the public may also choose to use these Guidelines for food and beverage items served or sold at other events or venues.

Go to resource

Did you know that up to 80% of premature heart disease and stroke can be prevented through your life habits, such as eating a healthy diet and being physically active? Find resources to support a healthy diet designed for heart health.

Go to resource

For over 60 years, Heart & Stroke has been dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. Our work has saved thousands of lives and improved the lives of millions of others.

Go to resource

Eat Smart Meet Smart will help you plan meetings, events and conferences that are healthy for your participants — and healthy for your organization.

Go to resource

The Healthy Food Checker makes choosing healthy, nutrient-rich foods easier. It compares the nutrition information from a Nutrition Facts Table to the Alberta Nutrition Guidelines, and will put foods and drinks into one of three groups: Choose Most Often, Choose Sometimes, and Choose Least Often.

Go to resource

Developing and implementing a healthy school policy is an important part of creating a healthy school community. These resources can help guide this process.

Go to resource

View case studies and articles from communities within Alberta who are working to implement healthy eating environments within recreation settings.

Go to resource

This guide was developed to assist workplaces in applying a comprehensive approach to healthy eating, planning activities using the framework of comprehensive workplace wellness, and creating a supportive environment for healthy eating.

Go to resource

Alberta Health Services resources on healthy eating at work, school, early learning and childcare centres, and communities. Other healthy eating resources and steps to a healthier you are also available.

Go to resource

The Healthy Eating Starts Here poster series was developed by Alberta Health Services based on the principles contained within Canada’s Food Guide, the Alberta Nutrition Guidelines, nutrition research and current health and eating habits of Albertans. The series Healthy Eating Starts Here: Steps to a Healthier You gives workplaces easy and visually appealing healthy eating tips.

Go to resource

Healthy food is important for children and youth. How can recreation centres and community centres help children eat healthy food? Follow the Alberta Nutrition Guidelines for Children and Youth. This easy to read booklet is for people who work or volunteer at Alberta recreation centres and community centres. This booklet is also for food service operators.

Go to resource

Healthy Eating for Seniors addresses many of the barriers to healthy eating: time, effort, knowledge and skills, taste and cost. Healthy Eating for Seniors also addresses food safety – which is key for promoting health. It includes information about supplements and how to eat with a chronic disease. And it offers you simple ways to eat with less fat and salt, to keep a healthy body weight, to shop for healthy food on a budget, and to read labels

Go to resource

This toolkit is designed to help you turn your facility into
a Healthy Choices Facility.

Go to resource

Immigrants are eligible for health care coverage under the Canada Health Act. Find information on: Employment; Immunization; Health Care System; Health Promotion; Mental Health; Reports on New Immigrants; Women; Reports on Immigrant women; and more.

Go to resource

Safe food and good nutrition are important to Canadians. Maintaining the safety of Canada’s food supply is a shared responsibility among government, industry and consumers. Eating a nutritious and balanced diet is one of the best ways to protect and promote good health.

Go to resource

Health Canada services and information including recalls, Canada’s food guide, diseases, immunization, and health risks while travelling.

Go to resource

The objectives of this resource are to: Promote an environment in Public Buildings that encourages healthier eating by increasing the range of healthier food and beverage choices available in vending machines; Assist vending operators in identifying healthier food and beverage choices; Support growth of markets in the area of healthier food and beverages; and Provide a best practice model in implementing healthier choices in vending machines for those not captured by the Policy

Go to resource

Half Your Plate will provide you with the tips, tricks, and recipes – all you have to do is cook! We’ll also give you smart shopping tips, holiday tips, back to school lunch tips, and more! Curious about a fruit or vegetable? Ask us! We’ll give you the top ten ways to cook it. Wondering how to get creative in the kitchen? Check out our recipes or ask us for a suggestion! We’re here to help Canadians find easy, budget-friendly ways to fill half of their plate with fruits and veggies at every meal and snack.

Go to resource

The purposes of this Act are as follows:
1. To foster successful and resilient local food economies and systems throughout Ontario.
2. To increase awareness of local food in Ontario, including the diversity of local food.
3. To encourage the development of new markets for local food

Go to resource

Healthy living, active living, and healthy eating resources, including Eat Smart Meet Smart.

Go to resource

Daily food challenges – simple and fun to try with the kids!

Go to resource

Find information on servince sizes for children ages 5 to 11.

Go to resource

Find information on servince sizes for children ages 12 to 18.

Go to resource

Find information on servince sizes for children ages 1 to 4.

Go to resource

This booklet is all about how making healthy
food choices can put you on the right track
to healthy aging. Challenge yourself to follow
these 10 smart bites for healthier eating, and
you will see the results of practising a healthier
lifestyle. One year from today, you’ll have more
energy, vitality and zest for life.

Go to resource

Delivered directly to schools, the grants are designed to bring more of the local harvest into schools where it is featured in a salad bar meal service, using the Farm to School Approach. The goal? To see more students and school communities engaged in: Growing; Purchasing; Harvesting; Cooking; Serving; Learning about, and eating.

Go to resource

Farm to Cafeteria Canada (F2CC) is a pan-Canadian organization whose vision is “vibrant and sustainable regional food systems that support the health of people place and planet.” F2CC works with partners across Canada to educate, build capacity, strengthen partnerships, and influence policy to bring local, healthy, and sustainable foods into all public institutions.

Go to resource

Ever Active Schools is a provincial initiative designed to create and support healthy school communities. We engage and support schools through a Comprehensive School Health approach, which addresses health and education goals to improve the social outcomes of children and youth in Alberta.
Through collaborative partnerships, projects-based work, knowledge exchange and competency-based learning opportunities, Ever Active Schools spearheads meaningful collaboration between the health, education, recreation and active living sectors.

Go to resource

As part of Canada’s Food Guide revision, we are currently working with First Nations, Inuit and Métis partners to support the development of healthy eating tools.
Along with the new 2019 Canada’s food guide, you can still use the current Canada’s Food Guide – First Nations, Inuit and Métis as a trusted source of information on healthy eating.

Go to resource

Resources on Health Canada’s guidelines and considerations on healthy eating. The guidelines are based on the best available scientific evidence. They promote healthy eating and overall nutritional well-being, and support improvements to the Canadian food environment.

Go to resource

Eat Smart, Live Strong is an intervention designed to improve fruit and vegetable consumption and physical activity among 60-74 year olds participating in or eligible for FNS nutrition assistance programs. This resource was originally released in 2008 and was updated in 2013.

Go to resource

This article uses a population health perspective to examine the complex set of interactions among the determinants of healthy eating. An overview of current knowledge on determinants of healthy eating was organized as follows: 1) individual determinants of personal food choices and 2) collective determinants, including a) environmental determinants as the context for eating behaviours and b) public policies as creating supportive environments for healthy eating.

Go to resource

This Cooking Club Manual provides a hands-on opportunity for students’ ages 8 to 12 to learn about healthy food choices and valuable cooking skills. The manual can be adapted for younger and older students if needed.

Go to resource

Community gardens are collaborative projects on shared open spaces where participants share in the maintenance and products of the garden, including healthful and affordable fresh fruits and vegetables. This resource offers links to other resources, case studies, and journal articles.

Go to resource

This Portal provides a consolidated one-stop shop for busy health professionals and public health decision-makers. It is a compilation of multiple sources of trusted and credible information. The Portal links to resources and solutions to plan programs for promoting health and preventing diseases for populations and communities.

Go to resource

Canada’s Food Guide provides resources, guidance and evidence based advice on both eating healthy and healthy eating behaviours.

Go to resource

Encouraging and supporting healthy eating, active living, and social well being to develop and promote healthy citizens and community in Brooks, Alberta.

Go to resource

Posting live videos to support cooking and nutrition related initiatives.

Go to resource

BC Healthy Communities Society is a province-wide not-for-profit organization that facilitates the ongoing development of healthy, thriving and resilient communities.

Go to resource

Searchable database of classroom and school resources compiled by Heathy Schools BC

Go to resource

APPLE Schools (A Project Promoting healthy Living for Everyone in schools) is an innovative school-focused health promotion initiative. It improves the lives of more than 20,000 students annually in 74 schools across British Columbia, northern Alberta, Northwest Territories, and Manitoba by improving their healthy eating, physical activity, and mental health habits.

Go to resource

The goal of the Alberta Nutrition Guidelines for Children and Youth is to equip facilities and organizations with the tools they need to provide healthy food choices in childcare settings, schools, in recreation centres, at special events, and in the community at large. The Alberta Nutrition Guidelines for Children and Youth will help assist Albertans to create an environment which provides and promotes healthy food choices and healthy attitudes about food.

Go to resource

Since 2001, the Growing Food Security in Alberta (GFSA) network has supported many projects and initiatives across Alberta focusing on food security and food sovereignty using an asset based community development approach. Hundreds of groups and individuals are now part of the Network, all seeking to connect and work together to achieve food sovereignty and food security in Alberta and understand the real value of real food.

Go to resource

Food is one of life’s basic needs. Hands-on experience with a school garden is an important step in helping young people to understand and appreciate the industry that grows, processes, and delivers safe, abundant food to Albertans every day. The gardening process also encourages children to make healthy food choices.

Go to resource

Alberta Health Services has created a series of infographics that explain how to optimize the 4Ps of marketing to sell healthy food and drink options. Learn how Product, Placement, Price and Promotion can help you improve healthy food environments.

Go to resource

As a health organization and as health leaders, AHS wants to lead by example. Healthy eating is an important part of promoting health and preventing and managing chronic disease like obesity, diabetes and cancer. Teaching people what and how much to eat is not enough. Having healthier food choices makes it easier to eat for health. Together we can make the gradual shift to a healthy eating environment.

Go to resource

The Community Gardens Handbook offers guidence to groups in Alberta who want to start and maintian a community garden that grows food.

Go to resource

Healthier Together is an online resource that’s bringing Albertans together. It’s guiding entire communities toward healthier ways of living and working that give everyone a fair chance for health. And it lets you choose health conditions that concern you most and connects you with information, tools and proven strategies that make it easier to take action. Picture the possibilities. Then create them with Healthier Together.

Go to resource

This resource guide is designed to assist local governments promote food security and support food systems in BC. It showcases a sample of the wide range of innovative projects being developed or supported by local governments across the province. It includes examples that are meant to pique your curiosity and inspire you to action, whether your community is just starting out or well on its way to creating a strong and healthy food system.

Go to resource

This guide is for older adults. Find tips and ideas to make healthy eating easy and enjoyable! Remember, it is never too late to start eating well!

Go to resource

Check out the BRAND NEW guide developed by Alberta Recreation and Parks’ Communities ChooseWell program in partnership with Alberta Health Services! This booklet provides tips and tools to help food service operators provide more healthy food and drink options in recreation facilities. Gain examples, quick wins and learn how to leverage 2020 consumer and market trends to have a fresh start in recreation food services!

Go to resource

In this article, we draw on a 2012 Montreal-based study that examined the embodied, every day practices of immigrant children and families in the context of urban greenspaces such as parks, fields, backyards, streetscapes, gardens, forests and rivers.

Go to resource