Resources for Parents

• Public Health is committed to helping all parents provide healthy food choices for their families. From Student Nutrition Programs to the Grey Bruce Good Food Box Program, Public Health supports access to safe and nutritious food for all.

Healthy Lunches

• Packing a healthy lunch for your child–or making any meal of the day for that matter - can be frustrating.   What will they eat? What do you want them to eat? The key is working together to give them choices from the four food groups.  Public Health’s pamphlet School Lunch Your Kids will Munch is a great place to start. 

Be a Good Food Role Model

• Your children are always watching, so don’t expect them to eat well if you don’t. Eating together as a family has been shown to decrease the likelihood of children using tobacco, alcohol and drugs. The family meal is a place for communication and building a feeling of belonging that creates and strengthens ties between family members.  The Heart and Stroke Foundation has a good section on Eating Together complete with time-saving tips and meal ideas.

Recipes

• Our family–friendly recipes are sure to please even the pickiest of eaters in the family!

Guides and Resources - Call Public Health for a copy or click:

Canada’s Food Guide for ages 2 and up www.healthcanada.gc.ca/foodguide

The Physical Activity Guide for the family www.paguide.com

Eat Right, Be Active booklets for children aged 3-5 and 6-8  and Busy Bodies – a flip book with activity and fun food ideas on every page – both available through The Nutrition Resource Centre   www.nutritionrc.ca

The Heart Healthy Eating Guide for your Family from www.heartandstroke.on.ca

Other Good Websites

www.eatrightontario.ca  - ask your nutrition questions on- line

www.dietitians.ca  - featuring credible nutrition information, fact sheets, and interactive sections like Let’s make a Meal.

www.foodlinkgreybruce.com – for local food producers and farmers markets

www.active2010.ca  - link to Pause to Play section geared specifically to children and youth

www.targetyouth.ca - created by local youth working with Public Health

www.nedic.ca  - National Eating Disorders Information Centre – with information and links to more resources about eating disorders and weight preoccupation.