Rushed mornings, food-filled meetings, workplace celebrations, quick lunch breaks, mid-day slumps and end of day dinner struggles can make it difficult for staff members in Sun Country Health Region to eat well. But eating well at all times can boost a body's concentration, productivity and vitality. It can also reduce missed days of work by helping to boost over-all health.
To encourage staff members at Sun Country Health Region and in the larger community to eat well at work and make positive changes for a healthier work and food environment, the Population Health Promotion department of Sun Country Health Region is hosting a cooking challenge this month.
March is Nutrition Month in Saskatchewan
Strong public health nutrition practice is critical to protecting and enhancing the health of the population, says Janice Giroux, Vice President, Community Health for Sun Country Health Region.
"Healthy eating means eating a variety of foods from the four food groups to feel good and maintain your health. Eating well, along with being active, can also lower your risk of disease and help you reach and maintain a healthy weight," she says.
#iCook Challenge Coordinator and Public Health Nutritionist Barb Wright echoes that thought.
A healthy diet is a major factor in good health, she says. "Lifestyle and dietary changes can help prevent some chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and certain cancers."
"Many people find that eating healthy meals and snacks at work is a challenge," says Mrs. Wright.
In general, Canadians are spending less time preparing meals, she says. "Food skills like cooking and meal planning are being lost in the shuffle of competing priorities and schedules. It is important for us to make time to prepare our foods at home and plan for healthy meals at work."
Four #icook Challenges will take place during March in Sun Country Health Region. Each team will be made up of three health professionals who will have 15 minutes to prepare a healthy and tasty salad during the Challenge. Co-workers and spectators will be asked to taste each and vote to choose their favourite salad.
Challenges will take place in the following locations: Deerview Lodge on Friday, March 13 at 1:30 p.m.; Weyburn Community Services Building on Thursday, March 19 at 10 a.m.; Bengough Health Centre on Monday, March 23 at 11:30 a.m.; Carlyle Community Services Building on Wednesday, March 25 at 11 a.m.
The public is invited to watch the challenges in these four communities and to "like" the SCHR Population Health Promotion Facebook Page. Results from the #1cook Challenge and other nutrition tips will be posted regularly on that page throughout Nutrition Month.
