Quebec’s minister of health and social services is sounding a lot like mom when urging people to eat fruits and vegetables every day.
But the government is doing more than nagging, they’ve launched a province-wide campaign to coincide with nutrition month.
Fruits et Légumes en vedette is an effort partnering provincial nutritionists with local food growers and agriculture associations, as well as some 450 restaurants across Quebec.
In the Vaudreuil-Soulanges region 10 local eateries have taken the health minister’s challenge to come up with affordable meals that feature fruits or vegetables.
Hungry patrons can give healthy eating a try by going to restaurants displaying the fruits and vegetables logo.
“It’s easy to choose a restaurant with gourmet foods that are good for you and are full of flavour and colour,” say organizers, adding it is possible to eat outside of the home without compromising quality foods and good health.
Changing habits
Statistics Canada reports that the days of gathering around the family table for three meals are gone.
About half of the meals eaten in Quebec are prepared outside of the house, says Statistics Canada, who found that 49-percent of the food we eat comes from restaurants, cafeterias or food machines.
“This is a change in food habits that we can’t underestimate,” says Dr. Jocelyne Sauvé, director of public health for the Montérégie.
And Jean-Pierre Lessard, Montérégie east regional director for the Minister de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation says the campaign is also an opportunity for restaurants to showcase their culinary skills by creating health healthy meals using ingredients that are good for clients. Go for colour
“Fruits and vegetables are the base for good health,” notes Dr. Sauvé, adding such foods are a great source of antioxidants that protect the body from chronic diseases such as heart disease, obesity and diabetes.
People should eat between five and ten servings of fruits or vegetables daily, ideally selecting items in a variety of colours.
Nutritionist say people can chose fruits or vegetables that are fresh or frozen, noting that under such guidelines it’s always possible to make healthy food choices. Participating restaurants
The Vaudreuil-Soulanges Health and Social Services Centre has listed ten restaurants participating in the fruits and vegetables campaign. They include: Chez Les De Villemure, located at 7 rue Principale in Coteau-du-Lac, La Soupe À papa, at 1 rue Principale in Coteau-du-Lac, Vieux Kitzbühel at 505 boul Perrot in L’Île-Perrot, La Maison du défricheur, situated at 976, Montée du Bois Franc in Rigaud, Momesso Café, located in the St. Lazare Sportsplex at 1850 rue des Loisirs in St. Lazare and Casse-Croûte Henri de l’Aréna Vaudreuil-Dorion, located at 9 rue Jeannotte in Vaudreuil-Dorion.
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