Health Canada leads the Pack
I am not usually one to be "proud" to be Canadian, but today I can relate to that sentiment. Health Canada released the newly revised Food Guide and it is plant focused and evidence based. Yes it still includes some animal products but they are over shadowed by the abundance of plant foods, lack of a dairy food group and its focus on unprocessed foods overall.
Here are a few great excerpts:
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"How to eat more protein foods that come from plants,
Here are some easy ways to eat more protein foods that come from plants:
Add soft tofu to a blended soup to make it thicker and creamier.Try a bean salad, lentil and rice pilaf or a bowl of vegetarian chili for lunch.Make your own trail mix by combining your favourite whole grain cereal with a handful of nuts and seeds.Spread hummus on the inside of a whole grain pita and fill with vegetables such as romaine lettuce and shredded carrots.
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Each week, plan a couple of meatless meals. As your main course, try using:
beans in a burrito tofu in a vegetable stir-fry chickpeas and beans in tacos lentils in a soup, stew or casserole
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Try to eat protein foods such as:
Nuts and seeds, peanuts, almonds, cashews, nut butters, sunflower seeds , beans, peas and lentils brown, green or red or other lentils, peas such as chickpeas and split peas, dried beans such as black beans and kidney beans fortified soy beverages, tofu, soybeans and other soy products
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Snack Ideas: nuts and seeds, oven roasted chickpeas, hummus with fresh veggies, peanut butter on celery sticks."
Brazil also has some encouraging dietary guidelines. Their first statement is "Make natural or minimally processed foods the basis of your diet - Natural or minimally processed foods, in great variety, and mainly of plant origin, are the basis for diets that are nutritionally balanced, delicious, culturally appropriate, and supportive of socially and environmentally sustainable food systems."
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It is promising to see major health authorities focusing on the science and educating the public on better food choices.