March is Nutrition Month (and March 20 is ‘Dietitians Day’) in Canada and Discover Moose Jaw News chatted with Danielle Switzer from the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) about living happier, healthier lives through better eating. 

“Nutrition impacts so, so much of our lives, and food is so central to our everyday lives,” Switzer said. “It’s a part of our cultures and celebrations, it’s a way to bring people together, and food and nutrition, I would say, are a cornerstone to our health and well-being. So, it has a significant impact on our lives.” 

Switzer is a Registered Dietitian (RD) and the official SHA Public Health Nutritionist for the Moose Jaw area. 

Although there are many ways for health practitioners to call themselves ‘nutritionists’, the title of ‘dietitian’ is protected in Canada in a similar way to professions like physicians and nurses. Registered Dietitians are provincially regulated and are obligated to provide evidence-based, client-focused advice on nutrition.  

That’s relevant because, as Switzer pointed out, there is an absolute glut of fad diets, nutrition supplements whose promised results should raise eyebrows, and non-evidence-based advice out there. The confusion of deciding what to eat is multiplied by a chorus of confident voices. 

“Sometimes it’s really hard to know what is credible and/or trustworthy, and so, as far as what we would suggest, would to look for information that is evidence-based,” Switzer explained. 

“Examples of that, when you’re looking online, would be (resources) like Canada’s Food Guide (food-guide.canada.ca) or UnlockFood.ca, or accessing a Registered Dietitian is also a great source of credible nutrition information.” 

The best place to find an RD in Saskatchewan is through the official College of Dietitians at www.saskdietitians.org. Another way is to obtain a referral from a primary health care provider. 

Aside from doing’s one own research and finding certified sources, Switzer noted that recent updates in the profession have emphasized the how of eating almost as much as the what. 

“One of the biggest changes with the current Food Guide was recognizing the importance of not just what we eat, but how we eat, and so as far as small changes that people can make, there’s ideas such as eating ‘distraction-free’,” she said. “You know, putting your phone down, turning the TV off, having meals with others, if you can. 

“Really be mindful of your eating habits ... taking time to eat, noticing your hunger cues and fullness cues and enjoying your food. And we’re always a fan of cooking when you can.” 

Switzer recommended small changes to start, because developing healthy habits needs to be sustainable long-term. She said that if you don’t enjoy the diet in the first place, it’s going to be much harder to continue. 

“I would just like to wish everyone a happy Nutrition Month and send out a verbal bouquet to all my colleagues and fellow dietitians,” she added, “who will be celebrating National Dietitians Days on Wednesday, March 20.”