Canadas Food Guide
What is the purpose of Canada’s Food Guide?
To help people make healthy food choices
Which macronutrient is the body’s main source of energy?
Carbohydrates
What is one healthy beverage recommended for daily hydration?
Water
What is malnutrition?
A condition caused by not getting enough or getting too much of certain food
Scenario 1 (Time limit: 5 minutes)
You are a school nutritionist planning lunch options for students who often skip meals. Many students choose fast food instead of school lunches.
Task: Create a balanced school lunch menu for 3 days that encourages healthy eating and includes all major food groups. Explain why your choices are healthier than fast food options.
Day 1:
Day 2:
Day 3:
Why this is healthier than fast food:
These meals include whole grains, fruits, vegetables, protein, and dairy. They are lower in unhealthy fats, salt, and added sugars compared to fast food, and they provide more vitamins and energy for learning and focus.
What food group should make up about one-quarter of your plate according to Canada’s Food Guide?
Protein foods
Which macronutrient helps build and repair body tissues like muscles?
Protein
What is a balanced diet?
Eating a variety of foods in the right proportions
How can climate change affect global nutrition and food security?
It can reduce crop yields, increase food prices, and make food harder to access in some regions
How can you make healthier choices when shopping for groceries?
You can choose fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables, whole grains instead of refined grains, and lean proteins. Reading nutrition labels also helps you avoid foods high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats.
Name one healthy eating habit encouraged by Canada’s Food Guide besides food choices
Looking more often, eating with others, or being mindful of eating
What is the main function of protein in the body besides energy?
To build and repair body tissues
How can food insecurity affect a person’s health?
It can lead to poor nutrition, stress and illness
What is the difference between undernutrition and overnutrition?
Undernutrition is not getting enough nutrients, while overnutrition is getting too many nutrients or excess calories.
Scenario 2 (Time limit: 7 minutes)
You are working in a community where food prices have increased due to climate change, making fresh fruits and vegetables less affordable.
Task: Design a weekly meal plan for a family of four using low-cost, nutritious foods. Include strategies to maintain good nutrition despite rising food prices.
Weekly meal ideas:
Strategies to maintain nutrition:
This plan keeps meals balanced while staying low-cost and nutritious.
What type of grains does Canada’s Food Guide recommend choosing most often?
Whole grain foods (such as whole wheat bread, oats, brown rice)
Name one community program that helps reduce food insecurity.
Food banks, school meal programs, or community kitchens
Why is calcium important for growing children and teenagers?
Calcium helps build strong bones and teeth during growth. Getting enough calcium in childhood and the teen years can reduce the risk of weak bones and fractures later in life. Good sources include milk, yogurt, cheese, fortified plant-based drinks, and leafy green vegetables.
How can food insecurity affect a country’s economy?
It can reduce productivity, increase healthcare costs, and limit economic growth due to poorer health in the population.
What are some healthy snack options you can buy at the grocery store?
Healthy snacks include yogurt, fruit, nuts, whole grain crackers, cheese, and vegetables like carrots or cucumbers with hummus.
Explain how the Canada’s Food Guide plate model is different from older food pyramid models.
It focuses on proportions of foods on a plate (vegetables/fruits, etc.) and emphasizes healthy eating habits, rather than fixed servings from a pyramid structure.
Why is food insecurity considered both a health issue and a social issue?
Because it affects physical health and is linked to income, inequality, and access to resources
Why might someone experiencing food insecurity rely more on cheaper, highly processed foods
Because they are often more affordable, more available, and have a longer shelf life than fresh healthy foods.
How do international organizations help improve global nutrition?
They provide food aid, fund nutrition programs, support farming and food systems, and work to reduce hunger and malnutrition worldwide.
How can planning your grocery list help you eat healthier?
Planning a grocery list helps you buy only what you need, avoid unhealthy impulse purchases, save money, and make sure you have balanced ingredients for healthy meals throughout the week.