Canada's first food guide, the Official Food Rules, was introduced to the public in July 1942. This guide acknowledged wartime food rationing, while endeavoring to prevent nutritional deficiencies and to improve the health of Canadians. Since 1942, the food guide has been transformed many times - it has adopted new names, new looks, and new messages, yet has never wavered from its original purpose of guiding food selection and promoting the nutritional health of Canadians.

In February 2007, Eating Well with Canada’s Food Guide, the most recent Food Guide was released. Eating Well with Canada’s Food Guide describes the amount and type of food people need for a healthy eating pattern. The eating pattern from Canada’s Food Guide includes foods from each of the four food groups - Vegetables and Fruit, Grain Products, Milk and Alternatives, Meat and Alternatives - plus a certain amount of added oils and fats.

Canada’s Food Guide Suggests . . .

• Eat the recommended amount and type of food each day.
• Eat at least one dark green and one orange vegetable each day.
• Choose vegetables and fruit prepared with little or no added fat, sugar or salt.
• Have vegetables and fruit more often than juice.
• Make at least half of your grain products whole grain each day.
• Choose grain products that are lower in fat, sugar or salt.
• Drink skim, 1% or 2% milk each day.
• Select lower fat milk alternatives.
• Have meat alternatives such as beans, lentils and tofu often.
• Eat at least two Food Guide Servings of fish each week.
• Select lean meat and alternatives prepared with little or no added fat or salt.
• Include a small amount of unsaturated fat each day.
• Satisfy your thirst with water.
• Limit foods and beverages high in calories, fat, sugar or salt.
• Be active every day.