Health Canada has been providing advice on healthy eating since the 1940s through various versions of the Canada Food Guide.

Ann Ellis from the Office of Nutrition Policy and Promotion with Health Canada tells us how it began and why.

“The first food guide was called the official food rule and they were released in 1942 as a part of war time nutrition program when there was a lot of rationing going on and the food rules are really intended to improve the health of Canadians by promoting better eating habits and also a lot of the focus was really on promoting adequate amounts of essential nutrients.”  

Ellis says the Food Guide has transformed many times over the years to evolve with updated science and to recognize changing demographics and the various types of foods that are available now in Canada compared to the 1940s.

Ellis shares that healthy eating habits aren’t restricted to just the food we eat.  Cooking more at home and enjoying our meals with others are also important factors in good eating habits.

For more on the Canada Food Guide catch the interview with Ellis at thompsononline.ca.