Nutrition

Eating a nutritious and balanced diet is one of the best ways to protect and promote good physical and mental health. This means focusing on balanced intake and following recommended guidelines.

Your relationship with food is also an important part of good nutrition and a key part of that relationship is to trust the signals your body sends you: Your body tells you when it needs food (you’re feeling hungry) and when it does not (you've had enough).

Nutritional Education

Do you have concerns about your nutrition? Does your busy schedule cause you to make poor nutritional choices? Are you concerned about your weight, cholesterol levels, heart health or diabetes?

You are eligible to access up to two hours of personalized nutritional education with a dietitian or nutritionist through the university’s EFAP program. They can help you:

  • assess your current situation.
  • make recommendations.
  • assist in building an action plan.
  • plan your menus.

View Nutritional Counselling Overview

Book an Appointment

To arrange an appointment with a dietitian or nutritionist, contact the Employee and Family Assistance Program provider.

Canada's Food Guide

Hydrate

Make water your number one choice. Water is an essential part of a healthy diet and it is required by the body for all its functions. Other drink choices include white milk (unsweetened and lower fat), unsweetened fortified plant-based beverages and unsweetened coffee and teas.

The general rule for healthy people is four to six cups of water daily, however water intake varies on age, activity level and health. Check with your doctor to determine the right amount for you.

Limit Caffeine

Coffee and energy drinks cause a short-term burst of energy followed by a long-term slump. Limit caffeine to a maximum of 400 mg/day (or about three cups of coffee) and be aware of other products that have caffeine in them. Black tea, cola and even medicine such as ibuprofen all contain caffeine.

Three Steps to Healthier Grocery Shopping

Use these three steps to make healthier food choices when grocery shopping.

Be Prepared

Plan ahead and always shop with a grocery list. This will save you time and money and help you buy only for the foods you need. Part of being prepared includes not shopping on an empty stomach.

Make Healthy Choices

Fill your cart with fruit and vegetables, whole grain foods and protein foods. Half of your cart should be vegetables and fruits. In-season vegetables and fruits are often fresher and less expensive

Assess Shopping Habits

Keep track of where in the grocery store you are spending time and what types of foods you put in your shopping cart. Look at food labels and try to limit the amount of highly processed foods you purchase. Be aware of marketing and how it might influence your purchasing.