March is Nutrition Awareness Month ~ Resources + Giveaway

Each March is Nutrition Awareness Month, where dietitians across Canada remind us of the importance of eating a healthy diet and the impact it has on our overall well-being. This year the Dietitians of Canada chose the theme of debunking food myths. To 'Get The Real Deal On Your Meal', click here.

Eating healthy takes some careful thinking on your part. It requires you to plan balanced meals which provide your daily recommended intake of vitamins, minerals and nutrients, a shopping list and if you're a bargain hunter, match your list to sales, coupons and price matches; all staying within your budget. There are a number of services which provide menu planning for free and for a fee.  

Let's take a closer look at these:

• Eat Right Ontario offers a free online service with a wide variety of dietary options for your menu. Click here to start using the My Menu Planner right away.
• SOSCuisine.com offers both paid and free menu planning service that incorporates the sales and specials at the grocery stores in your area. The free service is for weeknights only and has limited modifying capabilities. The premium paid service is from $1.99 per week. Visit the site for complete details.
• CanadianLiving.com has a new, free online Meal Planner that will keep you on track and help you plan a week or a whole month of eating. 

However, if you prefer to plan your own menu, you can download this handy menu planning template to get you started. Here are some handy tips to keep meal planning simple:

• Make a grocery list and display it where everyone can see it and contribute
• Gather up your favourite recipes and dishes to make, ask for everyone's input
• Know what you have on hand in your pantry and what you'll need to buy
• Check flyers, coupons, etc for the specials to help keep your meals within budget
• Plan three meals and two snacks daily, keep it simple when you're busy (don't forget to drink lots of water, they recommend 8 glasses each day)
• Use up leftovers to save time making lunches and use time saving appliances like a slow cooker while you're working and come home to a cooked meal

Eat Right Ontario even has meal plans to prevent or manage type 2 diabetes specifically for women and for men.

The one resource that I always have on my refrigerator or near by is the Canada's Food Guide. It's an invaluable resource for planning healthy, balanced nutritious meals. Click here to order a print copy or download the PDF.

And now the giveaway details....enter below for a chance to win a $25 grocery gift card! Winner may choose from Walmart, Zellers, Sobeys, No Frills, Zehrs, Foodland and Shoppers Drug Mart.

• Limit of 1 entry per person
• Open to Canadians only
• Valid from March 1 at 12:01am EST to March 31, 2012 at 11:59pm EST
• Winner will be drawn randomly using Random.org on April 1, 2012
• Prizes must be claimed within 30 days of contest winner announcement

Good luck and be sure to eat healthy!

EDIT: Entry Form Removed

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNER....BECKY WALLACE!