December 2009 - Program Updates

Nutrition Resource Centre launches Eat Right Be Active – A guide for parents and caregivers of toddlers 12-36 months

Eat Right Be Active program logo.

The Nutrition Resource Centre is pleased to announce that a new resource in the Eat Right Be Active series is now available for parents and caregivers of toddlers, ages 12-36 months.

This new 20-page booklet, developed as part of Ontario's Action Plan for Healthy Eating and Active Living, aims to assist families, caregivers, and professionals to support healthy eating and physical activity in the early years. Available in English and French, the booklet provides practical information and tips on how much food to offer, sample menu plans, answers to common feeding challenges, daily activity needs of toddlers, and why active play is important.

The booklet can be downloaded from the EatRight Ontario website in English and French.

Printed copies are available free of charge and may be ordered from the ServiceOntario Publications (SOP) website. Download information on ordering from ServiceOntario Publications [PDF].

For more information on Eat Right Be Active, please contact Mary Ellen Prange, Program Coordinator, Health Eating & Active Living, at 416-367-3313 ext. 241.

NRC’s celestial opportunity with the Canadian Space Agency

In 2009, along with the first Canadian mission to the International Space station, the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) launched an educational program and cosmic contest.

Astronaut Dr. Robert (Bob) Thirsk wanted to promote “health and nutrition” for the Eat Right Be Active program for 9 to 16 year olds. The program included the Astromenu contest plus a physical activity component. For the healthy eating piece, kids were asked to design a menu for astronaut Bob Thirsk, who just completed six months of living and working aboard the International Space Station (a Canadian first).

NRC’s connection was that we were asked to evaluate the menus submitted. Elizabeth Smith agreed to take on this challenge and is highlighted on the CSA website (scroll down the list of Jurors).

The contest included an educational component about healthy eating in space, which foods travel best in space, and which are the best for astronauts.

Winners of the Astromenu contest have not yet been announced.