Nearly every news report, book shelf and magazine display has some nutrition related advice. With all the nutrition information out there, how do you know where to go for nutrition information you can trust? Dietitians of Canada's award winning website is a good place to start.
There are many ways to find information on the Dietitians of Canada website.
Visit the Virtual Grocery Store to learn about food label reading and food shopping tips.
Click on Lets Make a Meal for meal and snack suggestions.
Try the Food Guide Calculator to compare your choices to the suggested serving size ranges from Canada's Food Guide.
Track daily food and activity choices using the EATracker. The EATracker will provide you with feedback that compares your choices to the guidelines set by Health Canada.
Explore the website for many other useful items such as interactive games, quizzes, checklist and challenging ways to keep you informed about nutrition.
Dietitians have accurate, reliable and current information on food and nutrition. The title of Dietitian is protected by law and only those who have met the education requirements can use the title. Dietitians can use one of the following designations: RD, PDt, or RDt. Dietitians who work in a hospital or a community health centre often use the term "dietitian" and may focus on clinical care of the patient or manage food services. Dietitians working in public health settings are more likely to use the term "nutritionist". They focus more on supporting healthy eating and wellness for people of all ages. Public Health Nutritionists work with others to build healthy public policy and conditions that support healthy communities.
Be aware that the term "nutritionist" is not protected by law in Saskatchewan. People without adequate training may use the title to describe their nutrition related practice. If you are seeking advice from a "nutritionist" be sure you are dealing with a registered dietitian.
For almost 20 years weekly newspapers in Saskatchewan, have been providing readers with accurate nutrition information written by Public Health Nutritionists. Topics have ranged from the role and function of nutrients to the preparation and preservation of food. Columns have addressed issues from the cost of healthy eating to developing food policies in places where people live, learn, work and play. Columns often reflected the concerns of our readers.
Over the years, there have been many changes in writing and distributing the articles. Recent changes in public health promotion services have made it necessary to focus resources in other areas. As a result, this is the last column that I will be writing. I have appreciated the partnership provided by weekly newspapers in Sunrise Health Region in publishing the articles and the commitment of editors to providing readers with reliable nutrition information. And finally, I would like to thank you, the readers, for your calls and letters.
Written by the Public Health Nutritionists of Saskatchewan and supported by Public Health, Sunrise Health Region.
If you have any comments or questions please contact: Heather Torrie, Public Health Nutritionist, Sunrise Health Region, 150 Independent Street, Yorkton, Sask. S3N 0S7 Or phone: 786-0600.
