Most Canadians are wandering off the healthy path despite the signposts in the Food Guide.
People are eating less fat and more fibre, but they could still improve their diet, says the most recent issue of Meat Probe, a publication of the Beef Information Centre, Canadian Pork Council and Canadian Meat Council.
Canadians are following the admonitions of the guide and their mothers to eat more fruits and vegetables. The average intake of this food category is close to the five-a-day minimum suggested in the food guide.
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Most people should add another serving of whole grains to their day, said the newsletter. While more are eating pasta, it has just replaced a white bread serving and offers no more fibre.
Adults have really messed up in the dairy category. They are not drinking enough milk or eating enough cheese to meet the recommended two daily servings. Women are especially at risk because of the possibility of developing weakened bones.
And ironically, while Canadians have shifted from whole milk to 2% to reduce fat content, they are eating more cheese, which is fatter than milk and has no vitamin D.
In the meat and alternates category, peple are close to the recommended two servings a day and are also trying to choose leaner meat. But this category is Canadians’ second highest source of fat, mainly from processed meat. Again, women are undereating this food, which contains the iron they need.
A similar survey of Americans showed they eat more servings of fats, oils and sweets than the recommended servings for the vegetable, fruit, milk or meat groups. The survey concluded that either Americans don’t understand the nutrition message or they are rejecting it for the flavor of snacks.
While most Americans eat the proper amounts of meat, they are concerned it is too much, said the newsletter. Still, 95 percent of 4,700 people surveyed classified themselves as meat eaters, while five percent called themselves meat avoiders. Less than two percent said they were always on a vegetarian diet.
