The other day I was browsing in a book store in Richmond Centre and, as usual, I found myself drawn to the displays with books about cooking and nutrition. However, I have to admit that after being interested and intrigued for a few minutes, I quickly became overwhelmed with the variety of books available, all offering very different advice and messages. One book boasted the richest and most delicious comfort food recipes, while another promised quick weight loss through elimination of specific food groups. It's overwhelming for people just trying to eat healthier, and looking for practical and reliable nutrition advice. This is why I was happy to see that the theme of this year's Nutrition Month (March) was "Simply Cook and Enjoy!"
It's a reality for many people that their hectic lifestyle demands convenience when it comes to everything, including food choices. One of the first things to go when people are busy, is preparing healthy meals at home. One of the goals of Nutrition Month this year is to help Canadians get back to the basics in the kitchen while involving the whole family, especially children and teens. If you are wondering how you can to this, try using these great resources: Get inspired! Download "Cookspiration" at www.cookspiration.com. This free app provides simple, healthy and delicious recipes to inspire you to cook. Each recipe is complete with a picture and nutrition information.
Visit the DC website at www.dietitians. ca daily for new nutrition tips and resources to help you make healthy food choices, or to find a registered dietitian in your area.
There are many benefits of getting back in the kitchen and preparing more meals for ourselves and our families. Research shows that preparing meals from scratch is associated with an increased consumption of fruit, vegetables and whole grains. Evidence also suggests that there can be significant health concerns associated with reliance on highly processed foods and restaurant meals. Often it is because we lack time, energy or ideas that we rely on these foods, so let Dietitians of Canada help you tackle these barriers and get back to the basics in your kitchen! Katie Huston, is a registered dietitian. Check out her website katiehustonrd.com.
