Nutrition and fitness

We wish we could tell you that preventing cancer was as simple as eating a certain food or doing a certain exercise, but we can’t. This much, though, is clear:

You have a higher risk of developing cancer if you are overweight. Staying at a healthy body weight reduces your risk of cancer.
Eating well – lots of veggies and fruit, lots of fibre, and little fat and sugar – will help you keep a healthy body weight.
Regular physical activity helps protect against cancer. It’s also one of the best ways to help you stay at a healthy body weight, which reduces your risk of cancer.
Red meat and processed meat increase your risk of cancer.

Food for thought

About one-third of all cancers can be prevented by eating well, being active and maintaining a healthy body weight.

The science is clear: it’s the overall pattern of living that’s important. You can lower your risk if you move more, stay lean and eat plenty of vegetables and fruit, as well as other plant foods such as whole grains and beans.

Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Resources

Mix it up
The Canadian Cancer Society, Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada and the Canadian Produce Marketing Association have joined forces to persuade Canadians to eat more vegetables and fruit. It’s estimated that 20% of cancers could be prevented if every Canadian ate at least 5 servings of vegetables and fruit daily.

Canada's Guidelines to Healthy Eating (Health Canada)
Canada's Guidelines for Healthy Eating is a guide to help you make wise food choices. The Food Guide places foods into 4 groups: grain products, vegetables and fruit, milk products, meat and alternatives. The Food Guide also tells you about the kinds of foods to choose for healthy eating.

Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia
The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia s a volunteer-based health charity that leads in eliminating heart disease and stroke, and reducing their impact through the advancement of research and its application, the promotion of healthy living, and advocacy.

Nova Scotia Department of Health Promotion and Protection
Nova Scotia Department of Health Promotion and Protection aims to improve healthy eating within the Nova Scotia population, leading to improved overall health and reduced risk of chronic disease. The Department achieves this vision through leadership, support, education, advocacy, research and policy. Health Promotion and Protection works with many partners towards achieving the nutrition-related objectives outlined in Healthy Eating Nova Scotia.

Health Canada Physical Activity
Physical activity improves health and well-being. It reduces stress, strengthens the heart and lungs, increases energy levels, helps you maintain and achieve a healthy body weight and it improves your outlook on life.

Goodness in Many Ways
Vegetables and fruit come in many ways. Fresh, frozen and canned are all great options to choose from. Explore this site to find practical tips and ideas for making veggies and fruit part of your every day.

Healthy Eating Nova Scotia
Healthy Eating Nova Scotia (HENS) is a strategic plan to address nutrition-related health issues. This website provides a framework for comprehensive action on healthy eating, one of the four areas of emphasis recommended in the Nova Scotia Chronic Disease Prevention Strategy.