Canada's Food Guide Research Articles

Vegetarianism and Planetary Health

I begin by asserting that a vegetarian, even a vegan diet, from a nutritional standpoint, is at least as healthy as, and in all probability healthier than, one which centers on or includes meat. Scientific evidence supporting this claim is beginning to accumulate, and abundant material is available for those who wish to pursue the issue (Anonymous 1988a; Anonymous 1988b; Barnard 1993; Chen 1990; Melina, Davis, and Harrison 1994; White and Frank 1994). In addition, every good bookshop today has several vegetarian and/or vegan cookbooks, and many titles currently on the market contain excellent chapters on the fundamentals of vegetarian nutrition as well as references to contemporary nutritional research. For these reasons I shall not attempt to summarize here the evidence in favor of a vegetarian diet. My second preliminary claim is that meat-eating in general is, and in particular certain kinds of meat-eating are, unhealthy. The statistical correlation between high meat consumption and increased probability of colon, breast, and other cancers, heart disease, and atherosclerosis far and away the leading causes of death in North America has been well established by many independent researchers (Barnard 1990; Fiddles 1991; Mitra 1991; National Research Council 1989; Robbins 1987). This realization prompted Health and Welfare Canada (a federal government department) to issue a new version of Canada 's Food Guide to Healthy Eating, which appeared in 1992. Alternatives to meats (such as tofu and legumes) are accentuated, as are 5-10 servings per day of vegetables and fruits and 5-12 servings per day of grain products. Critics maintain that an even greater shift toward a vegetarian diet might have been endorsed in the Guide had it not been for the extraordinary (and entirely predictable) behind-the-scenes lobbying efforts of the livestock industry (Industry Forced Changes 1993).

Preliminary assessment of nutritional status in a group of persons with visual impairments

Twenty-five legally blind subjects were visited in their own homes in an attempt to make a preliminary assessment of their nutritional status. Standing heights and weights were taken. Twenty-four hour recalls of the previous day's dietary intake were taken on three different days and some demographic data was also collected. Not one of the subjects consumed a diet in accordance with that recommended by Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating. The poorest food group consumed was Milk Products with 96% of the subjects consuming less than the minimum recommended. Caloric values of the diets consumed appeared to be low yet body weights were very high. Physical inactivity is a possible contributing factor.

DIETARY PROFILE OF PHYSICALLY ACTIVE VERSUS SEDENTARY OLDER ADULTS

821 The purpose was to compare the nutritional profile of physically active (PA, N=45) and sedentary (S, N=21) older adults (mean age=73 years). Active versus sedentary status was based on regular activity for 30 minutes at least 3 days a week. Dietary information was obtained using a background questionnaire, a 24-hour dietary recall, and a food frequency questionnaire. The results showed that both groups felt that healthy eating and regular physical activity are important for their health and well-being. Most from both the PA (85.5%) and the S (88.5%) groups were aware of Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating, although 50 percent indicated they do not follow the Food Guide. The dietary intakes were analysed for their nutrient content. The findings were similar between the PA and S groups. The mean energy intake (1791 kcal.day−1; 25.22 kcal.kg−1.day−1) was lower than the recommended requirement for adults over 65 years. However, mean protein intake (1.15 gm.kg−1.day−1) was higher than the Canadian requirement (0.86 gm.kg−1.day−1). The carbohydrates, protein, and fat accounted for 55%, 20%, and 25% of the total energy intake, respectively. When the percentage goals of selected macro and micro nutrients were compared, it was found that the intakes of carbohydrate, fibre, and fat were lower, and intakes of protein, B complex vitamins, vitamin C, calcium, iron, and potassium were higher than the RNI. Thus, nutritional profiles of older adults showed deficiency of caloric intakes, but there were no differences in the dietary status of PA versus S groups.

An introduction to nutrition Newfoundland and Labrador with a preliminary look at the dietary intakes and some related health issues in senior residents of the province

Nutrition Newfoundland and Labrador is a province wide survey of a random sample of approximately 2000 residents of the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Survey questions address dietary intakes of respondents and related nutrition and health issues. Preliminary findings on the 65–74 year old subgroup (342 respondents) suggest that only 17% intentionally exercise in their leisure time, 30% take nutritional supplements, and almost 63% are aware of Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating. An increasing number of seniors would be expected to experience food insecurity although only 3% of the respondents admitted to not always having enough food to eat. This may be partly due to the local availability of wild/game foods. During the past year 76% claim to have eaten moose/caribou, 43% rabbit, 30% seal, and 23% wild birds.

Nutrient Intake and Obesity in Children with Autism

Many children with autism have idiosyncratic food preferences and eating habits that are difficult to regulate. The nutrient intake of 54 school-age Canadian children with autistic spectrum disorders, at mean age 13.3 years, was assessed using 3-day food consumption diaries compiled by parents or caregivers. The food records were analyzed for energy, minerals, vitamins, carbohydrates, protein, and fat content and compared with the recommended nutrient intake (RNI) for Canadians.All children had adequate protein intake, but only the diets of 4 children (7.4%) met the recommended servings from each food group recommended by the Canadian Food Guide. Twenty children (37%) with adequate vitamin intake received additional vitamin supplement, and 18 children (33%) not supplemented were low in calcium intake. The entire group consumed more carbohydrates and less fat than the average Canadian child but had similar calorie intake.Twenty-three children (42.6%) were found to be obese (to have greater than 120% of ideal body weight), but only five of these were overeating. Nearly half of the obese children had a low level of activity. Obesity was found to be correlated positively with severity of autism but not with gender, parents' educational levels, intake of various food groups, or with overeating alone.

Narrowing the gap: practical strategies for increasing whole-grain consumption.

Overcoming consumer confusion and doubt regarding nutrition recommendations is key to communicating the message to increase whole-grain foods in the diet. Nutrition communicators may do that more successfully by using four tactics to fashion messages about whole grains: (1) present a positive message; (2) keep it short and simple; (3) keep the message practical and flexible; (4) speak with a united voice. The quantitative recommendation to eat at least three servings of whole-grain foods daily also must be integrated into national nutrition documents, such as Healthy People 2000, Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the Food Guide Pyramid, Nutrition Recommendations for Canadians, and Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating, if we are to be truly successful in communicating the need to increase whole-grain consumption.

The Eating Patterns and Problems of Homeless Women

While inadequate nutrition has been identified as a factor affecting the health of the homeless, there has been little research to identify the extent to which inadequate nutrition is a problem. The goal of this paper is to document the eating patterns and problems of single homeless women and to locate the determinants of nutritional adequacy in their diets. Our findings are based on a random sample of 84 single homeless women using hostels and drop-in centers. For 85.5% of the women food was provided primarily by hostels and supplemented by the drop-ins. When their daily food intake was compared to the Canada's Food Guide recommendations, the average number of servings in each of the four food groups was below the recommended. The women in our sample indicated that their problems with food consumption were rooted in their poverty and further analysis indicated that the provision of food by social agencies was an important factor in the nutritional adequacy of their diets. Hostels and drop-in centers not only provide shelter, they have also assumed most of the responsibility for feeding the homeless. It is their poverty which burdens these women and structures their eating patterns.

Weight loss in patients receiving radical radiation therapy for head and neck cancer: a prospective study.

Thirty-one patients receiving radiation therapy for localized cancer of the head and neck areas were systematically assessed before, during, and after treatment. The pathogenesis of weight loss and its association with treatment morbidity and other determinants were sought. The serial data collected consisted of a food frequency questionnaire based on Canada's Food Guide, anthropometric measurements, 10 Linear Analogue Self Assessment questions on morbidity, and biochemical and hematological indices. Twenty of 31 patients (68%) lost over 5% of their presenting weight within one month after completing treatment. The mean weight loss was 10% and the range of weight loss in this group was 5.4 to 18.9%. Pretreatment dietary habits, serum albumin, absolute lymphocyte count, serum creatinine, creatinine height index, and anthropometric measurements did not predict for weight loss. However, weight loss can be predicted on the basis of field size and site irradiated. Treatment-related morbidity involving dysguesia, xerostomia, dysphagia of solids, and mouth pain was greater and of longer duration in patients with weight loss. The sequence of development of these symptoms during treatment and their duration provide a rational basis for the timing and methods of nutritional intervention in this patient population.

Dietary Management of the Malabsorption Syndrome

The purpose of this report is to emphasize the importance of strict dietary control of patients suffering from the malabsorption syndrome and to announce the availability of a gluten-free bread-substitute, called "Unimix", from the Scientific Development Committee, Room 14, Medical Building, University of Toronto. Science a gluten-free diet is difficult to follow because of the widespread use of wheat flour and other cereals in the production of many common foods, a suggested gluten-free meal pattern is presented, which conforms with Canada's Food Guide and permits a number of choices of menu within certain limits.