Dietitians are key in helping Canadians Unlock the Potential of Food this Nutrition Month
TORONTO, ON – March is Nutrition Month and this year builds on the 2018 campaign that saw dietitians help Canadians Unlock the Potential of Food, highlighting how food can not only nourish you, but also fuel active lives, inspire children, help to heal, prevent chronic diseases – and most importantly – bring people together. For 2019, Nutrition Month will put the focus on the important role dietitians play when it comes to food and nutrition.
“Food is nourishment, but it is so much more,” says Adrianna Smallwood, dietitian and Nutrition Month spokesperson based in Newfoundland. “As a dietitian, I help guide my patients and clients as they navigate a life-long journey with food; from childhood through adulthood when they are healthy and when they are ill. Food has the potential to enhance lives and improve health, and as dietitians, our goal is to help you unlock that potential.”
Canadians have a passionate, personal relationship with food – as do dietitians. Playing a key role in supporting the health of Canadians, dietitians collaborate with other healthcare professionals, undertake scientific research, drive innovation, inform public policy and work with patients and communities. Like all regulated health professionals, dietitians undergo comprehensive and rigorous training, both on the job and in universities.
“As dietitians, we want to help Canadians understand the diversity of what a dietitian can offer, and the role we can play in your life,” says Whitney Hussain, dietitian and Nutrition Month spokesperson based in British Columbia. “Some dietitians support critically ill patients while others support families to overcome barriers to eating together. There are dietitians working in many different roles and places and during Nutrition Month, we will share how we can help you unlock the potential of food – no matter what challenges you may be facing.”
The 2019 Nutrition Month campaign will explore five topics that help Unlock the Potential of Food:
- Potential to fuel: Stay energized by planning nutritious snacks into your day
- Potential to discover: Foster healthy eating habits in children by teaching them to shop and cook
- Potential to prevent: Understand how food can help prevent chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes and heart disease
- Potential to heal: Learn how food can promote healing and how dietitians work with health care teams to make a difference
- Potential to bring us together: Enjoy the benefits of bringing families and friends together with food
Throughout March, dietitians in communities and workplaces across the country will be talking about the potential of food to enhance lives and improve health to support Nutrition Month 2019. Healthy living tips, nutritious (and delicious) recipes and helpful links – including one that helps Canadians find a dietitian in their area – are available at
NutritionMonth2019.ca.
About Dietitians of Canada
For more than 30 years, Dietitians of Canada has led Nutrition Month in Canada. The campaign provides information and guidance from dietitians. Dietitians share a deep appreciation of food, a curiosity to understand the science behind it and the tools to unlock its potential.
Dietitians of Canada supports the access of Canadians to evidence based food and nutrition information and helps them locate a dietitian for nutrition counselling and nutrition services at
www.unlockfood.ca.
About Nutrition Month Sponsors
Dietitians of Canada acknowledges the support of Avocados from Mexico and Dairy Farmers of Canada that help bring Nutrition Month 2019 to Canadians.
Additional Information:
For more information or to book an interview with a dietitian, please contact:
Hayley Lang
Argyle PR
416.968.7311 x253
hlang@argylepr.com
Kate Comeau
Manager, Public Relations and Media
Dietitians of Canada
kate.comeau@dietitians.ca