Nutrition Toolkit

About Nutrition

Why is nutrition important?

• It's part of a healthy lifestyle.
• Increases the power of your immune system.
• Increases your concentration and memory.
• Decreases the chance that a child will have more serious diseases as an adult (e.g. Diabetes)

What is malnutrition?

• Undernutrition.
• Not getting enough vitamins or minerals in your diet.
• Not getting a variety of foods from the four food groups.

What is Overnutrition?

• Eating too many bad foods that are high in sugars and fats and low in vitamins and minerals.
• Can lead to obesity, heart disease and high cholesterol.
• Is just as harmful to your child's health as undernutrition (see Health Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating).