Lifestyle factors, including what we eat, can influence our health. A nutritious diet can help prevent illness and can lower the risk of developing chronic diseases.; as well as manage certain conditions, such as celiac disease, swallowing problems (dysphagia), cancer and more.
BUILD A BALANCED DIET
There are many diets or “eating patterns” and some are healthier than others. The best eating pattern is one that you enjoy and can stick with in the long run. The eating patterns that have been the most researched for their health benefits include the Mediterranean, DASH and MIND diets. The foods that are recommended on these patterns can help prevent type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, dementia and some types of cancer.
The eating plans listed above may have different names, but the foods are mostly the same! Here are some foods that are common to all of them:
- Vegetables and fruit
- Whole grains
- Legumes like beans and lentils
- Nuts and seeds
- Milk, cheese and yogurt
- Fish, seafood and poultry
- Olive oil
These nourishing foods are the basic ingredients that form the diet for disease prevention. You may also notice what’s missing from these eating patterns. They don’t contain a lot of highly processed foods, like cake, chips, cookies and sugary drinks that are high in added sugar, salt and trans fat.
WORK WITH A DIETITIAN
Almost 80 per cent of premature stroke and heart disease can be prevented through healthy lifestyle behaviours. These include eating healthy, being active and living smoke-free.
The journey towards wellbeing begins with how we eat and dietitians have the knowledge, compassion and flexibility to help you achieve your goals.
Dietitians can help you follow a healthy eating pattern that suits your individual needs and health goals.
BOTTOM LINE
Consider working with a dietitian if you have health goals or concerns about your risk of chronic disease. They will work with you to embrace food, understand it and to enjoy it while considering your overall objectives, needs and challenges. We look beyond fads and gimmicks to deliver reliable, life-changing advice.
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Adapted from the Dietitians of Canada’s Nutrition Month campaign materials.
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