Eat It Up!

Enjoying a wide variety of healthy foods can help to prevent type 2 diabetes. Not only does healthy eating help you to maintain a healthy weight it also fuels you through your day's activities. Healthy eating may seem confusing at times. We are often bombarded by different messages claiming some foods to be good and others bad. Feeding a family adds an extra challenge to eating healthy.

The good news is that healthy eating does not have to be difficult. In fact, it can be fun, exciting and tasty too. First, check out Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating to learn the basics of healthy eating - what foods are important and how much of them you need.

Buyin' and Fixin'

Your next step is to learn how to make healthy choices when grocery shopping. Test your knowledge of food labels and learn about other important nutrients such as fibre, fat and sodium. Discover money saving tips on fruits and veggies as well as how to include more of them in your diet. And find out how to prepare foods in healthier ways—it can be nutritious and delicious.

Setting the stage for healthy eating habits starts early in life. Trying to get some kids to eat their veggies may set the stage for a battleground at dinnertime. Learn how to survive the meal time mania. Many parents find they fall into a rut when packing lunches for their children. Mix it up with some of these new ideas to beat the lunch box blues. Often the best way to get kids to try new foods is to have them help in the preparation. Try making some of these healthy kid-approved snacks together.

Canadians are spending increasingly more of their food dollars outside the home. Many of these dollars are being spent at fast food outlets. Making healthy choices at some eating out places requires some sleuthing through the menu. Learn how to find healthier selections when eating out.

For more information on healthy eating visit some of the following websites.

Dietitians of Canada

• This award winning web site is filled with interactive tools, tips and fact sheets for healthy eating. Check out the "Nutrition Profile" to get personalized advice about your current food choices. Cruise through the "Virtual Kitchen" for tips and facts about the food you eat. Take the "Nutrition Challenge" to test your knowledge of nutrition.

Mission Nutrition

• Provides parents, educators and youth with a well balanced source of reliable nutrition information. Features fun interactive online activities for youth, answers to parents' commonly asked questions and practical tips for families.

5 to 10 a day

• Find out why we should be eating more fruits and veggies. Learn about easy ways to increase your fruit and veggie intake. Search by fruit or veggie in the recipe database.