Are Canadians getting enough?

New free app from the Registered Dietitians at Dairy Farmers of Canada helps Canadians get enough of the food they need today for a healthier tomorrow

TORONTO, May 13, 2014 /CNW/ - A healthier future is just a tap away for Canadians with the newly released free Get Enough Helper App available from the Registered Dietitians at Dairy Farmers of Canada. The App helps Canadians eat healthier and feel great by tracking their food servings every day to ensure they are getting enough essential nutrients from each of the four food groups, as recommended by Canada's Food Guide. As an added benefit, the App also helps support three great causes.

Each day Canadians track their food servings using the new App, Dairy Farmers of Canada will donate one dollar, on their behalf, to one of the following great causes up to a maximum of $50,000 per organization: Heart and Stroke Foundation, Osteoporosis Canada or the Colorectal Cancer Association of Canada.

"Studies have shown that Canadians are not getting enough servings of Milk and Alternatives, and Fruits and Vegetables," says Sue Mah, Registered Dietitian. "This means they may be missing out on nutrients that are essential for their health, and this could lead to an increased risk of chronic disease as they get older."

For instance, milk contains 16 vitamins and minerals and has been shown to help reduce the risk of hypertension, osteoporosis and colorectal cancer. Yet, studies have shown that most people are only consuming one out of the two to three servings they need each day, as recommended by Canada's Food Guide.

"I recommend Canadians fill their fridge with milk products, colourful fruits and vegetables (the more variety the better), lean meats and fish, and stock their pantry with whole grains and legumes," says Mah. "It really is true that you are what you eat, so you need to be mindful of what you are consuming each day to ensure a healthy tomorrow."

With the Get Enough Helper App, available for iPhone and Android, users will be able to follow their progress and receive tips and recipes based on their daily eating habits.

"The Registered Dietitians at Dairy Farmers of Canada are so proud of this new App and believe it will make a difference to Canadians," says Nathalie Savoie, assistant director, nutrition, at Dairy Farmers of Canada. "Not only will Canadians feel good about using this App to help their health, they will also be helping three great causes." 

Dairy Farmers of Canada and its partners want to remind people of the positive health impacts of a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle, which together may contribute to healthy blood pressure maintenance, a reduced risk of osteoporosis and the prevention of colorectal cancer.

"We sincerely appreciate the support from the Registered Dietitians at Dairy Farmers of Canada," says David Sculthorpe, CEO, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. "We'd like to encourage Canadians to use the Get Enough Helper App each day for their own benefit, and also to help us raise funds to support research, health education and advocacy programs that work to prevent heart disease and stroke, save more lives and promote recovery."

"A balanced diet that includes sources of vitamin D and calcium is important for continued bone health," says Dr. Famida Jiwa, president and CEO of Osteoporosis Canada. "We applaud this unique effort by the Registered Dietitians at Dairy Farmers of Canada to help Canadians maintain a balanced diet for their health."

"Studies have shown that certain foods can lower the risk of colorectal cancer such as milk, whole grains and legumes," says Barry Stein, president of the Colorectal Cancer Association of Canada. "The Colorectal Cancer Association of Canada is proud to partner with the Registered Dietitians at Dairy Farmers of Canada on this App to help Canadians get enough servings of healthy foods to help reduce their risk of colorectal cancer."

For more information on the benefits of milk products and to download the free Get Enough Helper App, visit GetEnough.ca.

About Dairy Farmers of Canada
Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) is involved in a number of initiatives that promote good nutrition and healthy living. The Registered Dietitians at DFC are committed to understanding and translating the science and art of healthy eating into effective, innovative and award-winning resources. DFC is completely funded by dairy farmers.

SOURCE: Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC)

For media inquiries, to set up an interview with Sue Mah or a representative of the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Osteoporosis Canada or the Colorectal Cancer Association of Canada, or to receive an electronic version of the media materials, please contact:Fiona Robinson / Beatrice Bastedo, Merkato Communications, [phone] ext. 102 / 103, [email protected] / [email protected]