Canadians choose broccoli for winter health

Former US President George H W Bush is famously quoted as saying:  “I do not like broccoli. And I haven’t liked it since I was a little kid and my mother made me eat it. And I’m President of the United States and I’m not going to eat any more broccoli.”

Unfortunately he was setting a bad example as broccoli is quite good for you. Canadians seem to agree with its health benefits as a majority say they’ll be eating it this long dark cold winter to stay well.

Recently a group called the Canadian Health Food Association (CFHA) commissioned a study by the Leger polling firm, which asked Canadians how they plan to stay healthy and happy during the long winter.

The September poll heard from over 1,500 Canadians, the majority of whom (79%) said they were concerned about staying healthy and keeping their immune systems up to par.

One of the suprising results was that 69-percent said eating broccoli was part of their plan. Some 55-percent, said they would be spending time being active outdoors to stay healthy and happy during the upcoming winter of shorter days and longer nights.

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.

Osteoporosis Canada says vitamin D is important to help the body produce stronger bones. However, it says because we live in a northern climate, our bodies don’t produce enough vitamin D and recommends Canadians take vitamin D supplements.

•  Other points noted in the survey:
• 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 are preferred by one third of Canadians as a method of maintaining their health and happiness.  ( for Omega-3 needs, Health Canada recommends two servings of fish per week)
• 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.

Canada food guide