Food for Thought
Food for Thought: A Pan-Canadian Initiative Addressing the Healthy Eating Goals of Persons with Disabilities
This initiative ended in March 2010. For its successful conclusion, we would like to thank members of the Food for Thought Advisory Committee and the Independent Living Resource Centre in Thunder Bay for their contributions.
Advisory Committee members included our national partners, Active Living Alliance for Canadians with a Disability, Dietitians of Canada, and Santropol Roulant, as well as the eight pilot sites at the following IL Centres:
- Cowichan Independent Living (Duncan, BC)
- Independent Living Resource Centre of Calgary (Calgary, AB)
- Le Phénix (Alfred, ON)
- Independent Living Centre Kingston (Kingston, ON)
- Niagara Centre for Independent Living (St. Catharines, ON)
- Montreal Metropolitan Independent Living Resource Centre
(Montreal, QC) - Vie Autonome péninsule acadienne, inc. (Shippagan, NB)
- Independent Living Nova Scotia Association (Halifax, NS)
IL Canada gratefully acknowledges the project funding provided by the Physical Activity and Healthy Eating Contribution Program – Centre for Health Promotion, Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC).
Overview
Upon conducting a literature review it was clear that people with disabilities are more likely to experience reduced well-being because of obesity, or being underweight, malnourished. They face higher rates of dehydration, heart disease and diabetes than their able bodied counterparts. It also became evident that nutritionists and other educators and stakeholders lack information specific to the disability community.
Tools and Resources
Facilitators Guide to Exploring Canada’s Food Guide
Tip Sheets for person with disabilities
Nutrition Labels (DOC | PDF)
Healthy Eating on a Budget (DOC | PDF)
Diabetes (DOC | PDF)
Keeping Food Safe (DOC | PDF)
Project Research
Food for Thought Project Wrap-up: A Summary of Consumer Views
To access an online version of the 2010 Community Action Toolkit (for internal use only) member Centres are invited to visit www.vilrc.ca.
For more information contact: ilc-vac%23ca|foodforthought
