Food and Diet in Canada

According to Canadian government statistics, Canadians have a Healthy Eating Index of 58.8 out of a possible 100 points. The Healthy Eating Index is a measure of how people's eating habits compare to the official nutritional recommendations. For example, if people eat as many vegetables as recommended, they get a higher score than if they only eat one serving per day. Canada's scores are slightly better than U.S. scores, which come out to 58.2.

Dietary Guidelines

Canada has its own set of dietary guidelines put out by the Ministry of Health. Canada's guidelines are illustrated in the form of a rainbow, rather than as a pyramid as they are in the U.S. The rainbow represents the variety of choices available. The servings for each group are comparable to those recommended in the U.S. and Europe: seven to 10 for fruits and vegetables, two to three for protein and two for dairy. These are all numbers for adults. The Canadian rainbow guidelines recommend six to eight grain servings a day, while the U.S. pyramid recommends up to 11.

Obesity Rates

According to the most recent Canadian Community Health Survey, conducted in 2004, more than 36 percent of Canadians are overweight and 23.1 percent are obese, up from just 13.8 percent in the 1978/1979 survey. The obesity rate increases are more significant among people 25 to 34 years old and people over 75. More than 26 percent of Canadian children and teenagers are overweight or obese.

Typical Meals

A typical meal in Canada differs based on region. In most of Canada, the cuisine is based on influences from England. In Quebec, the influence is predominantly French. Due to immigration waves throughout the decades, Canadian cuisine has also incorporated Asian, Middle Eastern and European touches. A typical Canadian dish includes ginger beef, which consists of strips of beef fried in a chili-and-ginger sauce. Maple syrup is another staple of the Canadian diet.

Street and Fast Food

While McDonald's and Burger Kings abound in Canada, the country also has its traditional fast foods. A typical fast-food dish is poutine, which consists of french fries topped with cheese and gravy. This dish is sold at fast-food restaurants as well as at street stands and in pubs. Street carts often sell Middle Eastern fare, such as falafels.