Foods They Eat in Canada

The average Canadian's diet is not radically different from that of the average American. The variations are mainly due to the French traditions of Quebec, the existence of specifically regional foods and a few differences in popular brands and chains. The huge American brands, such as McDonald's, Wendy's, Starbucks, Pizza Hut and Domino's Pizza are as ubiquitous north of the U.S.-Canadian border as they are south of it.

Statistics: United States vs. Canada

Dramatic differences between Canadian and American cuisine are limited to a small number of food groups. Canadians drink twice as much tea and two-thirds as many soft drinks as Americans; Canadians also drink similar amounts of skim milk, almost 50 percent more 2-percent milk and half the amount of standard milk. On average, Canadians has somewhat less meat and eggs in their diets and more fresh vegetables, far less canned fruit and slightly more fresh fruit than their southern neighbors.

Quebec

Quebec's French heritage produces a unique cuisine. "La belle province," as it is nicknamed, produces artisan cheeses, including traditional cheddars and okas, as well as wines, beers and ciders that often accompany them. Quebec is renowned for its maple syrup and variety of dishes that employ it. Tourtiere, a meat and pork pie, is another regional specialty, as is poutine, a dish composed of french fries, cheese curd and gravy. Montreal bagels and smoked meats are also popular.

Other Regional and Local Specialties

Fiddleheads, usually associated as a cuisine of Quebec and the Maritime Provinces, are available in stores throughout Canada. U.S. bacon is usually made from pork belly, but Canadians prefer back bacon or peameal bacon, a back bacon soaked in brine and dredged in cornmeal. Nanaimo bars consist of custard sandwiched between two layers of chocolate. Butter tarts are another popular sweet. Fish and brewis is a Maritime specialty consisting of salt cod and hardtack crackers. Although Ontario's wine industry did not really get started until the 1990s, the reliably cold winters produce icewines that consistently win international awards. The Niagara wineries are evolving into a regional gastronomic tourist center, similar to California's Napa Valley.

Coffee and Doughnuts

The doughnut shop founded by legendary Toronto Maple Leafs hockey star Tim Horton is ubiquitous in Canada. Specialties include Timbits, a brand of bite-sized doughnut balls, and the double-double, which is coffee served with two helpings each of creamer and sugar. Canadian coffee drinkers frequent Second Cup and Timothy's, popular upscale Canadian coffee chains, as well as the U.S. chain Starbucks.

Ethnic Diversity

Canada is a land of immigrants. Its major cities offer a wide range of international cuisines. In Toronto, where more than half the population was born outside Canada, you can find east and south Asian, European, African, and South American cuisines, as well as such creative blendings as kosher Chinese and halal pizza.