Making Wise Choices When Eating Out

In This Issue:

Project Health Update
Quick Fact: Making Wise Choices When Eating Out
Resources
Mark your Calendars - Upcoming Events

Top of page

Project Health Update

Congratulations to Jessica from Heffner Lexus Toyota and Mary Beth from the Region of Waterloo on being the successful applicants for T4H’s 2007 Individual Workplace Consultation Project. We have hired the consultants for this project and they will be meeting with Jessica and Mary Beth in the very near future. This is an exciting project that will provide expertise and support to workplaces to create and sustain their own wellness initiatives. If our evaluation demonstrates that this consultation process is successful we hope to be offering it to other workplaces next year.

Mark your calendars! You are invited to Region of Waterloo Public Health’s Workplace Launch event on Thursday April 12, 2007 from 12 – 2 pm. Public Health will unveil its “Project Health – Supporting Healthy Workplaces” initiative and participants will be given a free copy of “The Handbook to Healthy Workplaces in Waterloo Region”, hear a presentation of the services being offered, have an opportunity to browse numerous displays and pick up information at our Resource Marketplace.

To register or for more information please call the Project Health phone line at 519-883-2287 or email sgretch@region.waterloo.on.ca.

Register early as attendance is limited and will be on a first come, first served basis.

Top of page

Quick Fact

Making Wise Choices When Eating Out

Eating out continues to grow in popularity. The percentage of food eaten at restaurants or purchased for take-out by Canadians rose from 53% in 1994 to 61% in 2004. On average Canadians spent approximately 30 cents of their total food dollar on these convenient options in 2001. Research also shows that healthier food choices are becoming more common but the most popular food and beverage items at Canadian restaurants are still french-fries and coffee.

Top of page

Resources

Make Wise Food Choices Wherever You Go!
This article stresses the importance of selecting healthy food choices, whether at a supermarket, a restaurant or a workplace cafeteria.

A Guide to Eating Out by Jill Zweig, Canadian Diabetes Association
The Canadian Diabetes Association points out that before you can eat out successfully you need to learn about the different food groups and how to incorporate different foods into your diet.

Eat Smart Restaurants in the Waterloo Region
Eat Smart! is an award program that recognizes top Ontario restaurants and cafeterias for achieving excellence in providing healthy food choices and a healthy environment for their customers. Your local Public Health Unit, along with the Canadian Cancer Society (Ontario Division) and the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario, awards restaurants and cafeterias that provide:

• A variety of healthier food choices, on the menu and by request, including vegetables and fruit, lower-fat options and substitutions
• An excellent track record in food safety and a least one full-time certified safe food handler on staff
• A 100% smoke-free environment

Eat Smart! and feel better! The choice is yours.

Healthier Eating Restaurant Style, Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association
A resource for restaurant operators so they may service their customers’ healthy eating needs.

Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada Health Check
The Health Check symbol in restaurants is designed to offer more healthy meal options when you are away from home and help you quickly find those options in restaurant menus.

Nutrition Matters: Dining Out– by Toronto Public Health
Great tips for restaurant dining – what to order and how it should be cooked.

Top Ten Tips for Eating Out – by Eat Right Ontario
Great tips, including what to eat at specific types of restaurants.

Eating Out The Healthy Way
Great advice for eating out including what to ask your server to ensure a healthier meal.

Top of page

Mark Your Calendars – Upcoming Events

National Nutrition Month – March 2007
The 2007 National Nutrition Month® Campaign will help Canadians discover the pleasures and benefits of cooking. Check out Nutrition Month® resources, events, and media information. Learn more about or get involved with Nutrition Month®

National Oral Health Month – April 2007
April is National Oral Health Month (NOHM) and the Canadian Dental Association (CDA) has organized a month-long oral health education campaign to promote the importance of a healthy mouth for a healthy body.

Canadian Cancer Society Daffodil Month – April 2007

World Health Day – April 7, 2007
The 2007 World Health Day slogan ‘Invest in health, build a safer future’addresses one of the most vital concerns of out times. Globalization, rapid travel and trade make it much easier for new and existing diseases to leap over.

Project Health Launch – April 12, 2007
Region of Waterloo Public Health will be launching their Project Health workplace program for all workplaces in Waterloo Region. For more information or to register please call the Project Health phone at 519-883-2287.

National Summer Safety Week – May 1-7, 2007
See how you can promote summer safety in your workplace.

National Mental Health Week – May 7 ^th to 13 ^th, 2007
Check for events in your community.

World Health Organization Move for Health Day – May 10^th 2007
Celebrate a ‘Move for Health’ day each year to promote physical activity as an essential for health and well being.

Recreation & Parks Month – June 2007

Top of page

Information

Check the Together4Health website for more information.