Make friends with food
Who wants to talk about gas, bloating and the feeling your innards are full of helium?
Dietitians of Canada, a national, professional association with 6,000 members across the country, wants to open up the discussion, especially given March is Nutrition Month, and the perfect time to clear the air, so to speak, on such sensitive issues.
We’re a nation in constant battle with what we eat and what happens afterwards. Yet, the dietitians want to remind Canadians that “eating should be joyful, not a source of everyday frustration and confusion.”
A recent Ipsos study revealed, nearly two in five Canadians said they find it challenging to avoid bloating or gassiness.
Gas is normal — doctors, nutritionists and those in the food world will assure you that passing wind is a normal part of living.
The key is understanding what’s normal for you, say the dietitians.
Gas comes from a variety of sources — everything from eating certain foods high in carbohydrates to something as simple as talking and chewing at the same time, or using a straw, even chewing gum.
Everyone is different — but for many, it’s a constant battle.
“Food fights, like feeling bloated after every meal, or struggling with a picky eater, are common and unfortunately ... so is running to search for an answer on the Internet,” says Emily Mardell, a registered dietitian from Alberta and Nutrition Month spokesperson. Research shows almost half (49 per cent) of Canadians turn to the Internet when looking for answers about what foods are best for them and their families.
“Canadians are inundated with nutrition information online, and the problem is that not all online advice comes from a credible source,” says Mardell, adding “knowing where to look and who to rely on can save a lot of time, energy and frustration.”
Contact-centre dietitians at Eat Right Ontario and HealthLink BC revealed that Canadians struggle with five common ‘food fights,’ including:
Food fads: How do I know which nutrition information to trust?
Digestive woes: What’s causing all this gas?
Picky eating: Why is family mealtime such mayhem?
Eating and stress: Why do I always turn to food when I’m stressed?
Managing a condition (e.g. diabetes): How can I manage my diabetes?
During Nutrition Month, dietitians across Canada are banding together to help ease frustrations by teaching Canadians how to overcome their food fights with a simple three-step approach — spot the problem, get the facts and seek support.
“With accurate information and a good support system, Canadians will be better equipped to make decisions about food, without the fight,” say company officials.
Check out Take the Fight out of Food at nutritionmonth2017.ca — you’ll find plenty of tips, recipes and ideas to win your food fight. You can also download the Dietitians of Canada’s free recipe app Cookspiration.