Broccoli and Vitamin D top Canadian picks for curing winter blues

A new national survey reveals concern about staying healthy and happy this winter

TORONTO, Nov. 3, 2014 /CNW/ - The Canadian Health Food Association (CHFA) today released the results of a national survey that explored how Canadians plan on staying happy and healthy during the upcoming 'T-Rex of winters.' The survey was conducted by Leger Marketing as part of the celebration of Natural Health Products Week (NHP Week)  taking place across the country from November 3^rd to 9^th taking place across the country.

The survey found a majority of Canadians (79 per cent) are concerned about staying healthy and happy during the upcoming winter. Canadians also shared some surprising ways to keep their spirits up and their immune systems strong this winter: top choices include eating broccoli (69 per cent), taking Vitamin D (55 per cent) and spending time outdoors (55 per cent).

While winter presents some well-known health challenges to Canadians, the survey identified large gaps in Canadians' knowledge and behaviour when it comes to overcoming these challenges . For example, the Canadian Cancer Society recommends adults living in Canada should consider taking vitamin D supplementation of 1,000 IU a day during fall and winter, but only 55 per cent of survey respondents indicated they plan on taking this positive step.

"Health Canada recently reported on seven crucial nutrients that Canadians consistently miss in their diets, including Omega-3 fats, probiotics, magnesium, vitamin D, calcium, fibre and vitamin A," says CHFA president, Helen Long. "These nutrients affect our health and are especially important in ensuring our bodies have what they need to perform to their fullest throughout this difficult season."

Additional data from the survey revealed:

• Women are significantly more concerned about the upcoming winter season than their male counterparts (81 per cent vs. 76 per cent).
• Omega-3 fats and calcium (supplements?)  are preferred by one third of Canadians as a method of maintaining their health and happiness.
• The majority of Canadians intend to eat healthy foods this winter to maintain their health and happiness (79 per cent).
• When Canadians were asked what healthy foods they will eat during winter to help keep themselves healthy and happy, broccoli (69 per cent) and greens (68 per cent) came out as the favourites; particularly among women and the elderly.
• Two thirds of Canadians intend to exercise regularly. British Columbia residents are significantly more likely to exercise regularly than Quebec and Ontario residents.

"Canadians are right to turn to greens, like broccoli, that are rich in pre-Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and folate," says Michelle W. Book, registered holistic nutritionist. "These nutrients all help our immune system fight off bugs.  Supplements are also a safe and effective way to fill in the gaps in our diets to get the additional vitamins and minerals our bodies need to stay strong all winter long."

In an effort to help all Canadians adopt healthy habits, CHFA is holding Natural Health Products (NHP) Week from November 3 to 9, a week-long celebration of the happiness and wellbeing that natural health products bring to millions of Canadians. During NHP Week, natural health retailers across the country are inviting Canadians to stop in and chat with experts about how to stay healthy and happy by eating right and supplementing with often overlooked nutrients to beat the winter blues naturally.

The nationally-representative survey of 1,545 Canadians was completed by Leger Marketing online between September 15 and 18, 2014.

CHFA is proud to be spreading the word about how to stay happy and healthy this season during NHP Week and all year long. This is an opportunity to shine a spotlight on natural health products and their many benefits.  It's also a great time for those interested in healthier living to visit their local health food store to learn more by participating in fun and informative NHP Week activities.   

Some facts about the Canadian natural health industry

• The Canadian natural health industry is now valued at over $3 billion, and employs more than 34,000 people.
• The organics industry is valued at over $3 billion. Approximately 5,000 farmers, processors and handlers work on 900,000 hectares of land to produce certified organic products in Canada.
• 71 per cent of Canadians have used a natural health product.
• 77 per cent of Canadians agree that NHPs can be used to maintain or promote health.

About CHFA 
The Canadian Health Food Association (CHFA) is Canada's largest national trade association dedicated to the natural health and organic products industry. The association represents manufacturers, retailers, wholesalers, distributors and importers of natural health and organic products, including foods, vitamin and mineral supplements, herbal products, homeopathics, sports nutrition products, fibres and health and beauty aids. With a membership of over 1,000 businesses across the country, CHFA represents an industry that contributes more than $6 billion to the Canadian economy.

Video with caption: "Video: This year for Natural Health Products Week, the CHFA is celebrating the happiness and wellbeing that natural health products bring to millions of Canadians. This "choose-your-own-adventure" video series highlighting seven nutrients Health Canada reports Canadians consistently miss in their diets. Visit the NHP Week website to discover more and to find a participating natural health retailer near you. http://www.chfa.ca/NHPWeek". Video available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYH0QvtAheI

Image with caption: "The Canadian Health Food Association (CHFA) and Leger Marketing polled over 1500 Canadians to determine how they plan to stay happy and healthy this coming winter. When asked what healthy foods they will eat, broccoli (69 per cent) and greens (68 per cent) came out as the favourites; particularly among women and the elderly. For more information visit chfa.ca. (CNW Group/Canadian Health Food Association)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20141103_C2362_PHOTO_EN_7196.jpg

Image with caption: "In celebration of Natural Health Products Week (NHP Week), the Canadian Health Food Association (CHFA) has conducted a national survey to determine how Canadians plan on staying happy and healthy during the predicted ‘T-Rex’ of winters. Canadians reported they plan on taking Omega-3 fats and calcium this winter to maintain their health and happiness. For more information visit chfa.ca. (CNW Group/Canadian Health Food Association)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20141103_C2362_PHOTO_EN_7197.jpg

Image with caption: "In celebration of Natural Health Products Week (NHP Week), the Canadian Health Food Association (CHFA) has conducted a national survey to determine how Canadians plan on staying happy and healthy during the predicted ‘T-Rex’ of winters. Canadians shared some surprising tactics they plan to use to keep their spirits up and their immune systems strong this winter including taking Vitamin D (55 per cent). For more information visit chfa.ca. (CNW Group/Canadian Health Food Association)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20141103_C2362_PHOTO_EN_7198.jpg

Image with caption: "The Canadian Health Food Association logo (CNW Group/Canadian Health Food Association)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20141103_C2362_PHOTO_EN_7199.jpg

SOURCE: Canadian Health Food Association

Media Contact: Beatrice Bastedo, Merkato Communications, 416-915-4408 ext. 103, [email protected]

Related Links

http://www.chfa.ca