6 reasons to respect Canada’s Food Guide

 

You may or may not agree with every recommendation made in Canada’s Food Guide, but the way it was put together this time sure deserves some respect.

There’s often a lot of skepticism towards national food guides by both health and nutrition professionals as well as the public.

And, rightly so!

The history is fraught with industry lobby; not to mention that food guides have not done a whole heckuva lot to improve eating behaviour (people are eating more junk than before).

Canada is no exception.

Until now…

Canada’s Food Guide was just re-issued this week and it’s unlike the previous versions.

Here are six reasons to respect Canada’s new food guide.

 

1 – They had the right objective

I think their goal was 100% spot on:

Our goal has been to:

• strengthen healthy eating recommendations
• communicate guidance in ways that better meet the needs of different users, such as:
  • the general public
  • policy makers
  • health professionals

In other words, at least on its face (and we’ll dive in deeper below), the whole purpose of revising the Food Guide was for the right reasons. They wanted better recommendations communicated more effectively.

Plus, they were committed to being open and transparent about the entire process. No hidden meetings or ulterior motives. They wanted Canadians to see what and how they were doing every step of the way. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this in the comments below!

The whole purpose of revising the Food Guide was for the right reasons. #CanadaFoodGuide #HealthyEating #EatWellPlate Click To Tweet

 

2 – They collected and listened to feedback

When someone has feedback on something you’ve created, how often do you take a deep breath, remove emotion and personal attachment, and try to objectively hear what that person says?

It’s hard.

Freaking hard.

As humans, we seem to be wired to double-down on our position when we feel it’s being “attacked.” Even if the feedback is meant to help and elevate us, we often immediately feel defensive, dismissive, and sometimes even try to prove that other person wrong. It’s natural to try to protect yourself (or your position) when feeling threatened – we all do! (Here is an example of what I mean).

BUT…

While this reaction helps us to survive in times of life and death (literal survival), it will never help us to grow and expand our understanding of a topic.

If the feedback is at least somewhat correct, we would be wise to entertain it, even for a short time. But, even if the feedback is total BS and we are 100% correct because we are in fact a real expert, being defensive or dismissive will never help expand our understanding of that person or their intent or their communication style.

With this new food guide, Health Canada took feedback (phase 1) and (phase 2) and improved the process they used to create the new version.

You gotta respect that.

With this new food guide, Health Canada took feedback and improved it. #CanadaFoodGuide #HealthyEating #EatWellPlate Click To Tweet

 

3 – Industry was NOT lobbying

The food industry – yes, those who often put profits over health – were not at the table to shape this new food guide (I suspect a few of them are piiiiiissssed right now).

As a nutrition professional and Canadian it’s SO NICE that the food industry was not invited to the table to shape Canada’s new food guide. That’s called putting citizens over industry profits.

The food industry, associations, and companies were allowed to submit their comments as all concerned citizens were. No more.

This shows leadership from our government that they see themselves as public health champions (see point #1 above) and that they’re independent from undue industry lobby.

Plus, some of the recommendations are going to hurt parts of the industry which relied on the previous guides to market their food. For example, the recommended beverage of choice is not juice nor milk, but water. Also, dairy, meat, and alternatives are now one group called “protein” and they comprise no more than 1/4 of the “Eat well plate” with a note to “Choose protein foods that come from plants more often.”

NOTE: Dairy is still in the Food Guide, it’s in the protein category now.

In fact, they also included a page devoted to being aware of food marketing.

Simply put, they put the health of Canadians first when creating this guideline.

It's SO NICE that the food industry was not invited to the table to shape Canada's new food guide. That's called leadership and putting citizens over industry profits. #CanadaFoodGuide #EatWellPlate #HealthyEating Click To Tweet

 

4 – It goes way beyond how much of each food to eat

When you get to the main page, flip the tiny (2) under the image and you’ll see many other factors that we know affect people’s food choices. Things beyond the historical and one-dimensional: “Eat # servings fruit/vegetables every day.” Things like:

• Healthy eating habits
  • Be mindful of your eating habits (when is the last time you saw “mindful eating” in a food guide?)
  • Cook more often.
  • Enjoy your food.
  • Eat meals with others.
• Use food labels.
• Limit foods high in sugars, sodium, and saturated fat.
• Be aware of food marketing.

Again, whether you agree with each of these isn’t my point. My point is that these relevant and important factors that influence what we eat are part of the new guide. Because they should be!

And I respect that.

There are many factors that influence people's food choices and behaviours - they are included in Canada's new food guide. #CanadaFoodGuide #HealthyEating #EatWellPlate Click To Tweet

 

5 – It’s more accessible, practical, and easier to implement

Instead of specific “servings,” the new guide focuses on an overall healthier pattern of eating.

The Eat Well Plate is so simple, at meals aim for: 50% fruit/veg, 25% whole grains, and 25% protein (dairy, meat, and alternatives).

The term “serving” has been identified as an issue for years – it’s not that easy to estimate a serving (we eat on plates, not measuring cups). Plus, the food industry was using the minimum servings to sell more of their products (Don’t forget to have # serving of x today!).

There are also a bunch of recipes included to make it easier for people to make their own food. Remember, one of the things that affects people’s health is their ability to cook, so some example recipes can certainly help many Canadians.

And, under their “tips” button, you can find tips on:

Meal planning, cooking and healthy choices

• Meal planning
• Eating healthy on a budget
• Healthy snacks
• Food safety
• Healthy grocery shopping
• Healthier cooking methods
• Healthy eating and the environment (I’ve never seen this included as part of a food guide, have you?)
• Healthy eating for holidays and events
• Make healthy meals with the Eat Well plate
• Physical activity
• Sugar substitutes and healthy eating

Healthy eating anywhere

• Home
• School
• Work
• In the community
• While eating out

Life stages

• Teens
• Parents
• Adults
• Seniors
• Infant feeding and nutrition

Check them out!

Plus, they have a few new videos on their YouTube channel.

PRO TIP: If you’re a nutrition professional, download the Dietary Guidelines here.

The Eat Well Plate is so simple, at meals aim for: 50% fruit/veg, 25% whole grains, and 25% protein. #CanadaFoodGuide #EatWellPlate #HealthyEating Click To Tweet

 

6 – It will continue to be updated as the science develops

Honestly, one thing I love is constantly learning more about health. New research is consistently published that either supports or refutes what we “know.” I’ve changed my position on topics I “knew” based on new, better quality research (and you can too!).

This latest version of Canada’s Food Guide is published, it is NOT carved in stone.

Health Canada continually monitors the evidence from credible scientific sources to support dietary guidance in Canada. We’re committed to using the best and most recent evidence in our decision making. We consider:

• high-quality, peer-reviewed systematic reviews
• reports from leading scientific organizations and governmental agencies

Health Canada will update Canada’s dietary guidelines, as needed, to ensure the guidance remains consistent with the latest convincing evidence.

This latest version of Canada's Food Guide is published, it is NOT carved in stone. It will be updated as high quality research learns more. #CanadaFoodGuide #HealthyEating #EatWellPlate Click To Tweet

 

Conclusion

You can agree with all, some, or none of the recommendations in Canada’s new food guide – but it certainly deserves way more respect than its predecessors do. It’s simple, easier to follow, includes other factors that affect our food, and excludes industry influence.

#Respect

Signing off and toasting: To a respectable process and respectable new food guide.

 

Over to you

Have you looked at Canada’s new food guide? Do you agree with it? Does it earn some of your respect? What are your thoughts?

I’d love to know (in the comments below)!

 

Further reading

• The Globe and Mail explained some of the new food recommendations here.
• Dr. Yoni Freedhoff has a great summary of the guide’s health recommendations here.
• Dr. Freedhoff has an awesome commentary on the greater effects of the new food guide, well beyond that of personal responsibility (I love this one!).
• Dr. Freedhoff talks about other things in the food environment that should be improved now that the food guide has started leading the way.