Nutrition Month: Take small steps to make big changes

March is officially Nutrition Month, and Dietitians of Canada is challenging Canadians to take a pledge to make small positive changes to their eating habits, one meal at a time.

The national 2015 Tracking Nutrition Trends survey revealed a 35-per-cent drop in people who made a change to improve their eating habits between 2013 and 2015.

This March, dietitians have said they want to reverse this trend and inspire Canadians to make a small change to improve their health.

“We are on a mission to help Canadians across the country take a small step toward better health this Nutrition Month,” said Emily Mardell, a Dietitians of Canada Nutrition Month spokesperson, in a press release. “Too many changes at once can be overwhelming, which is one reason people give up. Instead, we want Canadians to pick one change and practice it over 100 meals.”

Half of Canadians (52 per cent) over the age of 20 live with a chronic disease like diabetes or heart disease, and four out of five are at risk, with diet and lifestyle being major factors. Dietitians of Canada is determined to see a reduction in these numbers.

“If everyone just picks one small change, and practices it over the next 100 meals, Canadians across the country would be off to a great start,” said Laurie Barker Jackman, a Dietitians of Canada Nutrition Month spokesperson from Halifax, in a press release.

Canadians will consume almost 100 meals in March. Each week during the journey dietitians across Canada will share tips, strategies and ideas to encourage and guide Canadians through the process of making a change.

For tips, recipes and ideas to support your 100 Meal Journey and more information about Nutrition Month 2016, visit NutritionMonth2016.ca.