Canada’s Food Guide To Healthy A Review by Lynda Clark Lowry MS PHEc The goal of this educator’s resource is to promote healthy eating among two to five-year olds and it does well. The content includes sections on typical eating patterns. Adjustments for a lacto-ovo vegetarian style are outlined. Vitamine-mineral supplements are not recommended as a general policy. The booklet also contains many practical ideas for introducing new foods, increasing acceptance and applying child-size servings to menu plans. The most controversial aspect of the booklet is the recommendation for preschoolers to learn to enjoy lower fat foods including 2% and 1% milk if the family uses those products. The added proviso is that the children must also meet their needs for energy. Higher-fat foods are recommended for younger preschoolers who tend to eat smaller amounts of food. This has the potential to conflict with the Canadian Pediatric Society’s recommendation that infants and toddlers should receive between 40% and 50% of dietary energy from fat. These guidelines suggest that individual diets need to be evaluated and that may be beyond the ability of some of individuals who will be using this resource. A child-size serving ranges from one-half to one serving as listed in Canada’s Food Guide to Healthy Eating. Preschool children will generally choose the number of servings at the lower end of the ranges in the food groups. Because fluid milk is their main dietary source of Vitamin D, it is stated that "Preschoolers should consume a total of 500 mL (2 cups) of milk every day." They may also choose other milk products in addition to this amount. A list of suggestions to reduce the risk of tooth decay is included as are guidelines to prevent choking. Water is recommended body fluids. The booklet also includes a section on vitality that encourages children to be active and feel good about themselves and to enjoy eating. The booklet is attractive, easy-to-read with sketches which show a variety of child care and family settings. It would be a useful resource for all educators who work with child care providers and parents. Free copies are available to Canadian educators from provincial or local health departments of from: Publications, Health Canada, Ottawa ON, K1A 0K9.
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