How to Eat Well to Live Well.

Canada's latest food guide has finally caught up to all the scientific research on how we should all be eating.

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by food choices, nutritional information & fad diets? You are not alone. Canada's latest food guide does a really great job of making it simple for you. Imagine you put all of the food you eat in a day on one big plate. Half of the plate should be made up of fruits and vegetables, one quarter of the plate should be made up of whole grains and the other quarter should be comprised of healthy proteins.

"Eat plenty of fruits & vegetables. Eat healthy proteins. Choose whole grain foods. Make water your drink of choice."

The guide also includes tips that go beyond just eating because having a good relationship with food is just as important as the food you eat.

Healthy Eating is More Than the Foods You Eat

Be mindful of your eating habits. This starts with your eating environment. You should be focused on eating rather than any kind of multi-tasking (think devices). Focusing your attention on eating allows you to be aware of your eating habits and the sensations involved in the eating experience. Eating mindfully can help you to make healthier choices each meal and each day.

Cook more often. I know you're busy but this is worth it. Cooking yourself allows you to limit your family's intake of processed foods and be in control of what you are consuming. Try cooking bigger batches and freezing leftovers for quick meals when you are pressed for time. Involving your children in this process can also be very rewarding.

Enjoy your food & eat meals with others. This is also vital to developing a healthy attitude about food. Enjoyment of food can come from sharing it with people you love, understanding where your food comes from, eating foods that please your senses and limiting other distractions at mealtime.

Other important factors to consider are learning to read a food label, limiting foods that are high in sodium, sugars or saturated fats and being aware for food marketing. Discuss these topics with your family to help build a healthy culture around food in your house.