March designated as Nutrition Month

The OPDQ (Ordre professionnel des diététistes du Québec) is pleased that March has once again been designated as Nutrition Month. Across Quebec and the rest of Canada, dieticians/nutritionists will be holding events and activities aimed at raising public awareness about the importance of a healthful diet and teaching people how to maintain or improve their health by eating right. The OPDQ will issue press releases to promote these events and activities as it learns of them. The highlight of Nutrition Month will be Dieticians' Day on Wednesday, March 16, when dieticians/nutritionists will answer calls on any question the public may have about human nutrition. Dieticians/nutritionists will also be present in Montreal and Quebec City to meet the public and provide information on the advantages of a healthful diet.

As far too many Quebecers are suffering from chronic illness (heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer, etc.), it is crucial people eat right, become physically active and maintain a healthful body weight. "The link between diet, human nutrition and health has been clearly established," said Ann Payne, RD, and the First Vice-President of the OPDQ. "In addition to helping people become re-acquainted with the pleasure of eating, dieticians/nutritionists are the best qualified health professionals to support the growing number of people who are changing their eating habits as they become aware of the importance of adopting a healthful lifestyle."

"A healthful diet does not mean a restrictive one," added Ms. Payne. "Learning how to read food labels, replacing some foods in your diet by others with a higher nutritional value and adjusting your food intake in relation to your daily needs can have a major impact on what you eat and how it affects your health."

As human nutrition specialists, dieticians/nutritionists are the best qualified to make dietary recommendations. "Nutrition Month is the perfect opportunity for Quebecers to sit down at the dinner table, listen to their nutritionist's advice and get the whole family involved in preparing meals!" said the OPDQ vice-president.