Eating well keeps you healthy. It helps lower your risk of chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease and cancer and can support good mental health.
Get reliable information
Explore Canada’s Food Guide or visit Unlock Food for information and advice from Registered Dietitians. To speak to a Dietitian, call Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000.
Online nutrition screening
Nutri-eSTEP® and Nutri-eSCREEN® provide nutrition screening for toddlers, preschoolers and older adults. Fill out the online survey to find out what is going well and where there is room for improvement.
Nutrition information for parents and caregivers
Nutrition needs change as we move through life. If you are a parent or caregiver, use this information to help keep your child healthy.
| Birth to 6 months |
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Breastmilk is the only food your baby needs for the first 6 months of their life. The longer you breastfeed, the more benefits you and your baby get. Learn more on our breastfeeding page. |
| 6 months to one year |
| You can start giving solid food when your baby is six months old and showing signs they are ready to eat. View or download this guide to feeding your baby from Best Start for more information. The following video will help you recognize feeding cues and build healthy eating habits.
Learn more about timing of the introduction of allergenic solids for high allergy risk infants. |
| Toddlers 1-3 years |
Your child is learning how to eat, how to tell when they are hungry or full, and what is good to eat. You can help them by dividing up the feeding responsibilities. You decide:
Trust your child to decide:
Follow these tips to help build healthy eating habits:
Learn more in Eat Right Be Active: A guide for parents and caregivers of toddlers 12-36 months from the Nutrition Resource Centre. If you are worried about your child’s eating habits, talk to a dietitian, to a public health nurse, or to your health care provider. |
| Preschoolers 3-5 years |
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Learn about healthy eating for preschoolers in Eat Right Be Active: A guide for parents and caregivers of preschoolers ages 3-5 from the Nutrition Resource Centre. Learn about packing lunches for school in School Lunches Your Kids Will Munch. |
| Children 6-8 years |
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Learn about healthy eating for young children in Eat Right Be Active: A guide for parents and caregivers of children ages 6-8 from the Nutrition Resource Centre. Learn about packing lunches for school in School Lunches Your Kids Will Munch. |
| Preteens 9-12 years |
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Your child’s body will start to grow and change quickly. Let your kids know that it is normal to gain weight as they are growing. Offer plenty of praise based on their strengths, abilities and personality, and not on their changing body size and shape. |
| Teenagers 13-19 years |
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Teens continue to grow quickly and have some special nutrition needs. Visit Canada’s Food Guide Healthy Eating for Teens or check out these resources from Unlock Food: |
Healthy eating for older adults
Good nutrition is important for brain health, memory, a strong immune system, muscles and bones. Eating well will give you a higher quality of life, help you stay independent, and lower your risk of:
- Fractures
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Osteoporosis
- Certain cancers
Follow A Guide to Healthy Eating for Older Adults from Unlock Food.