Facts about the Canadian Diet...

   Last week I shared a story about a boy who went blind due to his poor diet.  Many people wondered how the parents could allow the child to eat so poorly. North American rates of childhood obesity are higher than ever and consequently, rates of illnesses like diabetes, autoimmune, liver and gallbladder disease are on the rise. Many "older people" diseases are now appearing in young children and it is predicted that this generation of children will not live as long as their parents if something is not done.  Sadly, this child is not unique.  
Observe what the public is buying and consuming and you will see why the majority of people in North America are on at least one prescription medication. Toxins, preservatives, chemicals, and pesticides are being purchased along with tons of sugar and unhealthy fats.  
I compiled some statistics and facts about food consumption in Canada:

•  Most Canadians eat the standard "Western diet" - high in processed grains, dairy products,                   farm grown beef, salt and sugar.
•  Only 30% of Canadians aged 12 and older consume 5 or more fruit and vegetable servings a day.  
•  Only 1 in 10 adults eat enough vegetables to maintain good health. 
• Chicken, beef or ham are the principal ingredients of most Canadian dinners with an added starch and small amount of vegetables. 
• The average Canadian household wastes 140 kilograms of food in a year at a cost of $1,100.  For the whole country, that means that we throw out 22 million tons of edible food each year costing Canadians 17 billion dollars. 

The consequence of a poor diet in Canada (defined as not eating the 8 major food groups that prevent disease) is an economic burden of approximately 13.8 billion/year in health care costs.  There are direct health results like getting diabetes, heart disease, and autoimmune diseases but there are also indirect costs like obesity, tooth decay, loss of productivity due to fatigue, psychological effects, and lower life expectancy.  
It is time we just say no to "junk food" or food that is processed, refined or full of chemicals.  We need to change the world with our dollars using them to buy real foods that come from the earth.  If we do this, we will live longer and better, be more productive and happier people.  
​Keep following for more tips on eating healthy.
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