As March kicks off, so does Nutrition Month and the celebration of Dietitian’s Day on March 20^th. During March, the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit (HKPR District Health Unit) is emphasizing the role of Registered Dietitians as the reliable source for nutrition information and healthy eating guidance. Registered Dietitians promote Canada's Food Guide to help you choose a mix of healthy foods every day, making it easier to eat well and stay healthy.

"Healthy eating goes beyond making good food choices, it's about embracing mindful habits like taking your time to eat and listening to your hunger cues, cooking more often and eating meals with others, and enjoying your food including celebrating your culture and food traditions,” says Elsie Azevedo Perry, Registered Dietitian, with the HKPR District Health Unit. “Dietitians provide personal guidance helping people to set and meet their nutrition goals, feel better, and manage health concerns.  With many workplace health benefit plans covering their services, speaking with a Registered Dietitian is a great way to improve your overall health and well-being."  

Canada's Food Guide encourages individuals to:

• Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and protein foods every day.
• Drink more water and skip the sugary drinks.
• Pay attention to when you're hungry and when you're full.
• Take your time when eating. Enjoy your meals.
• Try cooking more meals at home and get other people involved.
• Choose healthy fats (nuts, seeds, avocado, fatty fish, etc.) and cut back on saturated fat (highly processed foods, some tropical oils, etc.).
• Limit highly processed foods (sugary drinks, candy, chips, fast food, etc.) 

At the HKPR District Health Unit, we work with community partners to create healthy food environments in our communities, schools, and daycares. We are committed to promoting healthy eating habits by offering a range of nutrition programs and support services across the County of Haliburton, the City of Kawartha Lakes, and Northumberland County. There are several initiatives through which we promote healthier eating and safe food practices to enhance overall well-being within the HKPR District area, those include:

• Dietitian Support: Feeling confused about food and nutrition? We can help connect you with a Registered Dietitian locally who uses the latest science to guide and support your food and nutrition goals. 
• Healthy Families Feeding and Nutrition Clinic: We assist and guide parents/guardians who are seeking nutrition support with feeding their babies or children, including breastfeeding, introducing solids, as well as preconception and prenatal nutrition-related concerns.
• School Nutrition Programs: Kids go to school hungry for all sorts of reasons. In working with community partners, we ensure Student Nutrition Programs (SNPs), offer children and youth healthy snacks at no cost, fostering positive eating habits and creating healthier places for food in schools.
• Food Advocacy: Since 1998, Ontario Public Health Units have monitored the cost of food. Our Addressing Food Insecurity and Poverty reports provide local data measuring the cost of basic healthy eating against national nutrition guidelines and average food buying patterns. This helps assess individuals' and families' ability to afford nutritious food, informing advocacy efforts for fair access to healthy eating options.

“Our Healthy Families Feeding and Nutrition Clinic supports parents with the knowledge they need to feed their babies and children,” says Laura Abbasi, Registered Dietitian, with the HKPR District Health Unit. “Whether it's breastfeeding challenges or questions about introducing solids or the common allergens, our Clinic provides a safe and understanding space where families can seek guidance and build confidence in feeding their family.” 

More Information
Visit the HKPR District Health Units’ webpage on Eating and Nutrition for more information on programs, services, and support.