Physical Health

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Eating a healthy diet is important for your physical and mental health. There are obstacles all over the world to eating healthy including poverty, the negative influence of the food industry, false claims and advertising of so called healthy food, and far too much sugar and additives in our food products. Combine a healthy diet with regular movement and you'll achieve great physical health!

We need to eat vegetables, fruits, whole grains and proteins. An easy guide for a healthy meal is to make half your plate vegetables/fruits, one quarter protein and the other quarter whole grains. 

Eat whole foods, produced naturally by the earth and avoid anything heavily processed.  Eating healthy does not mean giving up delicious foods. I grew up eating delicious healthy meals every day.  Eating healthy as children, helps children learn to make better food choices as adults, and embrace cooking healthy meals more.  Refer to the bottom of the page for some of my favourite healthy recipes and websites. 

To understand the dangers of sugar, watch this CBC Fifth Estate episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3ksKkCOgTw

"Millions of Canadians struggle with poverty and food insecurity. It takes a toll on their physical and mental health, and on the fabric of our communities. Community Food Centers Canada takes action by building vibrant centers and programs in low-income communities where food is used as a tool to build health, belonging, and social justice" (CFCC, 2021).

To learn more and make a difference about food insecurity across the country  visit:  https://cfccanada.ca/en/Home

In Canada, 10.6 million adults are overweight. 

"Obesity is serious because it is associated with poorer mental health outcomes and reduced quality of life. Obesity is also associated with the leading causes of death in the United States and worldwide, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some types of cancer." (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021).

We need to fight back against the food industry and their advertising and false claims. Don't buy into all the gimics about flavoured water, sports drinks, etc, which often contain food colouring, additives, extra sugars, etc...  The best drink we can consume is water--drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. 

Humans are meant to MOVE!!!  In addition to eating healthy we must exercise regularly.  Get up and walk whenever you can.  This is part of a healthy lifestyle. If we incorporate exercise into our daily routines, it makes us both physically and mentally healthier. Why not walk places--instead of driving--you can help yourself and the planet at the same time. Joining a team, club, etc, is often a lot of fun--you can socialize, have fun, and benefit your mind and body all at the same time! Don't be shy, don't be self conscious--just move!!!

Favorite healthy recipes:

• Spinach wraps: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OGRGbvd64qO0KrEzIDsxGFyWTiqhIoDgScOjHyXrehw/edit
• Tomato based veggie soup: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NOcq_8IePLUaome-zFQF69a6SvUD4N6QBORLeoGzfEw/view
• Green Smoothie: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EfK_hgdmGw_eJAtVJuimR8tUYXXsQNBAcV3CuhIAqqs/view

Some great sources for healthy recipes include:

 https://ohsheglows.com/ -Delicious & healthy Vegan recipes

https://www.allrecipes.com/ -Great place to find recipes with reviews. Anyone can post, so not everything on the website is healthy but they have tons of healthy options!

https://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/ -Has tons of quick and easy meals