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  1. Canada.ca
  2. Health
  3. Food and nutrition
  4. Canada's food guide
  5. Healthy eating recommendations
  6. Limit highly processed foods
Canada’s food guide

Choose healthy menu options

Choosing healthy menu options when you are eating out can be an important step to limiting highly processed foods. If you eat out often, remember that the foods you eat are a part of your eating pattern or routine and can impact your health.

On this page

  • Benefits of choosing healthy menu options
  • How to choose healthier menu options
  • Healthy menu swaps

Benefits of choosing healthy menu options

It is important to make wise menu choices whether you are eating food from:

  • cafeterias
  • restaurants
  • coffee shops
  • fast food outlets

Often foods served in these places have a lot of:

  • sodium
  • sugars
  • saturated fat

Eating too much of these can lead to an increased risk of chronic diseases like:

  • heart disease
  • type 2 diabetes
  • some types of cancer

Many cafeterias, fast food outlets and restaurants now offer healthier menu options than their usual choices. Healthier options can include:

  • baked potato
  • fresh fruit salads
  • steamed vegetables
  • whole grain pizza crusts
  • berries with lower fat yogurt
  • baked, grilled or poached fish
  • salads with dressing on the side
  • grilled chicken sandwich on whole grain bread

How to choose healthier menu options

Try these ideas to enjoy delicious meals and snacks while keeping healthy eating in mind. No matter what kind of restaurant you choose, some choices are healthier than others.

Find out how items are prepared and if the nutrition information is available. You can often find this information:

  • by asking
  • directly on the menu
  • on posters or pamphlets
  • online on the restaurant’s website

Choose foods cooked in healthier ways such as:

  • baked
  • grilled
  • broiled
  • poached

Ask for sauce and dressing “on the side” so you can control the amount. The sauces and dressings served are often highly processed. Only use a small amount.

Enjoy a colourful meal. Try:

  • squash dishes
  • a variety of colourful vegetables on rice
  • salads with dark leafy greens like spinach

Choose whole grain options. Ask for whole grain:

  • rice
  • pasta
  • bread

Limit cakes, cookies and rich desserts. If you do eat them, get a smaller size or share with someone.

Drink smart. Choose water instead of:

  • sugary drinks
  • alcoholic drinks

Healthy menu swaps

Try these swaps to make your choices healthier:

  • Order tomato sauces instead of alfredo or cheese sauces.
  • Flavour your food with lemon or pepper instead of salt, sauce or gravy.
  • Choose stir-fry vegetables with garlic instead of stir-fry vegetables in oyster sauce.
  • Choose dark mixed green salads with vegetables or fruits instead of salads like:
    • taco
    • pasta
    • potato
    • Caesar
  • Order the small or regular sized coffee, cappuccino or iced latte. Ask for your drink to be made with lower fat white milk or unsweetened fortified soy beverage instead of higher fat options. Skip the whipped cream topping.

Further reading

  • Healthy eating while eating out
  • Healthy eating for holidays and events
  • Sugary drinks
  • Healthy eating at work
  • Improving your eating habits
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Date modified:
2022-05-24

Section Menu

  • Healthy food choices
  • Eat a variety of healthy foods
    Expand
    • Eat plenty of vegetables and fruits
    • Eat whole grain foods
    • Eat protein foods
    • Choose foods with healthy fats
  • Limit highly processed foods
    Expand
    • Prepare foods with healthy ingredients
    • Choose healthier menu options
  • Make water your drink of choice
    Expand
    • Replace sugary drinks
      Expand
      • Sugary drinks and your teen
  • Use food labels
  • Be aware of food marketing
    Expand
    • Limit kids’ exposure to food marketing
  • Healthy eating habits
  • Be mindful of your eating habits
    Expand
    • Take time to eat
    • Notice your hunger cues
  • Cook more often
    Expand
    • Plan what you eat
    • Involve others
  • Enjoy your food
    Expand
    • Include culture and food traditions
  • Eat meals with others

For recipes and more food guide resources visit:

Canada.ca/FoodGuide

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