When it comes to healthy eating options, Toronto is like no other city in the world. Toronto's rich cultural diversity means you can eat healthy in so many interesting ways. Why not start your commitment to healthier eating with a 'world tour' of Toronto? You might discover new foods that are easy to make and fun to buy.
From Little India to Little Korea there are hundreds of restaurants, markets, delis and even street vendors for you to discover. Pretend you're a tourist and get a tourist guide to Toronto. See what specialties different communities have to offer. Or join a cooking club. Or grow a vegetable garden. Or visit a farmer's market. Or a supermarket - make it a family outing.
Explore. Experiment. Enjoy.
Still wondering where to start?
Here's just a sample of some of Toronto's healthy eating options:
GET INTO HEALTHY SNACKING
Twenty Parks, Forestry and Recreation (PFR) facilities across the City of Toronto now have vending machines with 100% healthy snack choices, as part of a pilot project promoting healthy eating habits. All other vending machines in Toronto PFR facilities offer 20% healthy snack choices.
Healthy snacks are a great way to help meet nutrient needs. Next time you crave a snack after participating in a recreation program, reach for a healthy choice. Active living and healthy eating go hand-in-hand!
What can you expect to see
Toronto Public Health has developed nutritional criteria for healthy snacks based on levels of vitamins, minerals, fibre, fat, sugar and salt. Healthy snacks may include grain-based bars and snacks, dried or canned fruit, cereal and baked chips. Eight refrigerated vending machines will offer additional healthy snack choices.
Facilities with 100% healthy snack vending are:
Albion Arena (EY)
1501 Albion Rd.
Alderwood Pool (EY)
2 Orianna Dr.
Amesbury Sports Complex (EY)
155 Culford Rd.
Armour Heights Community Centre (NY)
2140 Avenue Road.
Bayview Arena (NY)
3230 Bayview Ave.
Beaches RC (TEY)
6 Williamson Rd.
Birchmount Community Centre (Scarb)
93 Birchmount Rd.
Chris Tonks Arena (EY)
2801 Eglinton Avenue West
Driftwood Community Centre (NY)
4401 Jane St.
Ellesmere Community Centre (Scarb)
20 Canadian Rd.
Gord & Irene Risk Arena/CC (EY)
2650 Finch Ave W.
L'Amoreaux Tennis Centre (Scarb)
300 Silver Springs Blvd
Main Square CRC (TEY)
245 Main St.
Matty Eckler CC (TEY)
953 Gerrard St E.
Oakridge Community Centre (Scarb)
63 Pharmacy Ave.
Roding Arena/CC (NY)
600 Roding St.
Scarborough Village Arena/CC (Scarb)
3600 Kingston Rd.
S. H. Armstrong CRC (TEY)
56 Woodfield Rd.
Toronto Track & Field Centre (NY)
4700 Keele St.
Wallace Emerson Community Centre (TEY)
1260 Dufferin St.
Legend:
NY: North York District
EY: Etobicoke-York District
Scarb: Scarborough District
TEY: Toronto-East York District
Please note that 100% healthy snack vending facility locations are subject to change.
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MARKETS
Looking for information on Farmer's markets in Toronto? Check out www.toronto.ca/events/markets.htm for a listing.
For $12-$32 per basket, you can receive a wide assortment of vegetables and fruit delivered to a neighbourhood drop-off site, up to twice a month. Ontario grown products are chosen whenever possible. A newsletter offering nutrition and food preparation tips is included. Check out www.foodshare.net/goodfoodbox01.htm, call 416-392-6653 or e-mail: gfbox@foodshare.net
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RECIPES
The Toronto Public Health website features monthly recipes that focus on fruits and vegetables. Check it out at www.toronto.ca/health/vf/vf_recipes.htm
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COOKING CLASSES
You can access a list of cooking classes in Toronto by searching "cooking classes" on the Red Toronto website (redtoronto.com) or click here
For a directory of vegetarian cooking classes in Toronto go to: www.veg.ca/directory/cooking.html
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RESTAURANTS
In Toronto, Eat Smart! Ontario's Healthy Restaurant Program awards restaurants that offer a variety of healthier food choices and have the highest standards in food safety and smoke-free dining. For more information on the Eat Smart! Program and for a list of Eat Smart! restaurants in Toronto, visit
www.toronto.ca/health/eatsmart.htm
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GARDENING
Growing your own garden or participating in a community garden is a great way to have fun, save money, eat healthy and benefit from physical activity. For information on community gardening in Toronto, go to www.foodshare.net/garden02.htm or www.foodshare.net/
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FOR PARENTS
The Munch Bunch Club website has newsletters, activities, recipes and answers to common questions for kids aged 6-12. Topics include healthy eating, active living and interesting food facts. Visit www.toronto.ca/health/munch_bunch/index.htm for more information.
Toronto Public Health provides a number of downloadable PDF's with information for parents about encouraging healthy eating habits as a well as tips for positive parental role modelling. Info can be found at www.toronto.ca/health/children/healthy_weights.htm
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