Unlock the potential of food this Nutrition Month
VCH dietitians are taking the Nutrition Month pledge: “I will unlock the potential of food this Nutrition Month!”
Every year, Dietitians of Canada organizes Nutrition Month, and this year’s theme looks at how food can help us in many different ways.
Food has the potential to…
- Bring us together: Dietitians want to remind you of the power of coming together during meals. It gets us eating better and also allows us to share and create memories with our loved ones.
- Fuel: A balanced diet provides energy for us to grow, learn, play and work. Almost half of all Canadians say that eating a balanced diet is hard for them because they are so busy. Visit the Nutrition Month website for some healthy and easy to prepare meal and snack ideas!
- Discover: Eating habits start at a young age. Use team work to plan, shop, cook and learn together with your children. It’s fun and rewarding!
- Prevent: What we eat can affect our health. Eating healthy can help prevent us from getting sick. Unsure of how to do this? A dietitian can help!
- Heal: Food not only prevents sickness, but can also help you get and feel better when you are sick.
Nutrition resources
Vancouver public health dietitians promote sharing food together as an important key message that can build connections with family, friends, colleagues and community. Use the VCH Sharing Food, Creating Fun resource to help promote this message.
Join Canadians this Nutrition Month and unlock the potential of food! Visit the website www.NutritionMonth2018.ca to find more resources, recipes, phone apps and ways to be involved during Nutrition Month!
Want dietitian services added as part of your insurance plan? Visit www.dietitians.ca/employeehealth to find out what you can do!
Tex-Mex bowl recipe
Enjoy sharing this delicious recipe creating by UBC dietetic interns, Ariel Seah and Timothy Lau.
4 cups chopped romaine lettuce 1000 mL
2 cups cooked brown rice 500 mL
2 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained 500 mL
salt & ground black pepper, to taste
1 teaspoon ground cumin 5 mL
¼ teaspoon chilli powder, optional 1 mL
1 cup chopped red bell peppers 250 mL
1 cup canned corn kernels, drained 250 mL
1 cup chopped tomatoes 250 mL
1 cup shredded cheese blend 250 mL
cilantro, optional
dressing of your choice
- Divide romaine lettuce evenly into four serving bowls.
- Toss rice and black beans in a mixing bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste, cumin and chilli powder (optional). Divide into serving bowls.
- Divide red bell peppers, corn, tomatoes into bowls.
- Sprinkle cheese over the mix. Garnish with cilantro if you like.
- Serve with your favourite dressing (we suggest fresh lime juice, olive oil and crushed garlic) and a glass of milk or fortified soy beverage for a delicious, balanced meal.
Serves 4