Seniors, Wellness and Social Development
January 5, 2015

Encouraging Healthy Choices for Seniors

Healthy Eating Guide Offers Support for Healthy Aging

One of the many well-received initiatives of the recently-established Department of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development, has been the release of Easy, Tasty�Nutritious, Healthy Eating for Healthy Aging, a guide for seniors that provides information to encourage healthy eating � from planning to putting meals on the table.

�A healthy diet is essential to feeling good and leading a full, active life in the community. Easy, Tasty�Nutritious, Healthy Eating for Healthy Aging is a great resource for older adults to assist with planning, shopping, preparing and cooking healthy meals. It is essential to focus on the importance of maintaining good health and independence, and this guide is a valuable tool to help improve, or even develop, excellent eating habits.
- The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

Easy, Tasty�Nutritious, Healthy Eating for Healthy Aging, released earlier this year, was developed with the support of Dietitians of Canada, the Provincial Advisory Council on Aging and Seniors, and registered dietitians throughout the province. For a digital copy, visit: www.gov.nl.ca/health/publications/Senior%27s_Healthy_Eating_Resource_Web.pdf. Print copies are available at regional health authority literature depots throughout the province.

The healthy eating resource has been shared with individuals and community partners, including the Newfoundland and Labrador 50+ Federation and the Newfoundland and Labrador Seniors Resource Centre.

Other strategies and supports for healthy eating initiatives in Newfoundland and Labrador include, but are not limited to:

• Eating Healthier in Newfoundland and Labrador, a provincial framework and action plan;
• Support for the Kids Eat Smart Foundation, which provides breakfast and snack programs to children in K-12 schools throughout the province;
• Eat Great and Participate, a program designed to increase access to healthy food and beverage choices in recreation, sport and community facilities and at events; and
• Support for the Food Security Network of NL, a provincial organization that actively supports community-based solutions to ensure access to adequate and healthy food for all.

For more information on eating healthy initiatives, visit:
www.gov.nl.ca/health/wellnesshealthyliving/healthyeating.html.

QUICK FACTS

• The Provincial Government has released Easy, Tasty�Nutritious, Healthy Eating for Healthy Aging, a guide for seniors that provides information to encourage healthy eating choices � from planning to putting meals on the table.
• The Provincial Healthy Aging Policy Framework identifies health and well-being, including healthy eating, as a priority direction.
• Additional information on Healthy Living in Newfoundland and Labrador can be found at: www.gov.nl.ca/health/wellnesshealthyliving/
• The Department of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development was created, in part, to bring more focus to government-wide efforts to promote physical activity, healthy eating and other wellness initiatives.

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Media contact:

Heather May Director of Communications Department of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development 709-729-0928, 697-5061 heathermay@gov.nl.ca

2015 01 05                              10:10 a.m.