Healthy eating means enjoying a variety of foods each day to maintain your health. In addition to eating well, being active and following other healthy behaviours can help lower your risk of disease and make you feel your best.
Eating well doesn’t mean we need to give up the foods we enjoy, but to choose our foods wisely and listen to our body’s hunger and fullness cues. At the Thunder Bay District Health Unit, our role is to encourage healthy eating by:
- Improving the food environment (places where foods can be accessed) so that healthier options are more accessible
- Providing information on healthy, tasty, affordable meals
- Helping ensure Thunder Bay District has secure access to healthy foods such as by participating in the Thunder Bay and Area Food Strategy
Our goal is to help you make the healthy choice the easy choice!
What We Do
Our team is made up of Public Health Nutritionists and Public Health Dietitians registered with the College of Dietitians of Ontario. We work together to monitor eating habits in the district and encourage healthy eating through different programs and strategies.
As part of that goal, we have partnered with several local and district organizations that also highlight healthy eating. These partners include schools, workplaces, child care organizations, and community organizations. We are all working together to promote healthy eating as part of healthy living.
Food and You
Food is not only our source of energy and nutrition but also one of life’s greatest pleasures. Experiment with new foods! Different flavours and textures add enjoyment to your routine. Choose a variety of foods at each meal and snack. A variety of nourishing foods is the best way to ensure you have all the nutrients you need to maintain your energy and health.
The best foods are whole foods. Packaged and processed foods contain a lot of fillers and chemicals we simply do not need. Stir fries with your own “secret” blend of seasonings will be a big hit. Homemade pasta dishes always taste better than frozen. Even special treats are better for you when you make them yourself. Instead of using a box of cake mix, make that cake from scratch. It’s easy and there are tons of recipes online.
How to Access a Registered Dietitian in Thunder Bay
Registered Dietitians are health care professionals that specialize in food and nutrition. Dietitians are regulated health professionals that complete comprehensive education and training to become certified. They work to make it easier for the public to make healthy food choices, suited to their personal needs. Dietitians help translate scientific evidence into practical strategies to manage health conditions and promote overall health. They work alongside other health care professionals to help support you in achieving wellbeing. Registered Dietitians work in many different settings, such as hospitals, clinics, long-term care homes, public health, the food industry, as well as education and research.
For more information about what a dietitian is, visit Dietitians of Canada: Learn about Dietitians.
If you would like to access an Outpatient Registered Dietitian in Thunder Bay for general nutrition counselling, use this document to find the most appropriate service: Outpatient Registered Dietitian in Thunder Bay. If you would like to access a Registered Dietitian for a specific condition (such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease, mental health, etc.), speak to your health care provider for a referral.
For Further Information
If you’re looking for more information or have a question about nutrition, call Telehealth Ontario and ask to speak to a Dietitian. It’s free! Toll-free number: 1-866-797-0000.
For information on our nutrition programs, please call 807-625-5900 or toll-free 1-888-294-6630.