Message from the honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health

National Nutrition Month

March 2010

March is Nutrition Month in Canada. The theme for this year's Dietitians of Canada-led campaign is "Celebrate food...from field to table!" In keeping with this theme, I encourage Canadians to make a habit of choosing healthy and nutritious food, whether you get your food from a farmers' market or the grocery store.

Our Government is working to helping Canadians maintain and improve their health. Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide, as well as its tailored version for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis, provides Canadians with simple and easy-to-follow advice. The Guide will advise you on how much food you need, on what types of foods are better for you, and on healthy ways to prepare them. The tailored version also reflects the values, traditions, and food choices of Aboriginal peoples.

I also encourage Canadians to continue using the Nutrition Facts table to make informed food choices while they are shopping.

The Government supports innovative nutrition research and the development of tools for Canadian dietitians and policy-makers, such as the National Nutritious Food Basket, which monitors the cost and affordability of a nutritious diet for Canadians.

Healthy eating is an important part of an active, healthy lifestyle and, along with regular physical activity, can help you and your family reduce the risk of chronic disease.

To find out more about healthy eating, please visit Health Canada's website and, for ideas on how to get physically active, please visit  Canada's Physical Activity Guides.

Leona Aglukkaq
Minister of Health
Government of Canada