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Food and Nutrition

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Related Guides

For questions about food and nutrition, call 8-1-1 and ask to speak with a dietitian (available from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday) or email a HealthLinkBC dietitian.

Nutrient Directories

Search by food or food code to find out its nutrient profile.

These tables provide Dietary Reference Intakes for vitamins, elements (minerals), and macronutrients.

A collection of provincial healthy eating and nutrition related resources. Search the A-Z index for terms such as Eating Guidelines for Gallbladder Disease, Food Sources of Vitamin K, or Babies First Foods.

Find nutrient information on nearly 8,000 foods. Search by food item, group, or list to find the nutrient information for various food items.

Provides detailed information on vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, and other nutrients within common foods. Includes information on how each nutrient interacts with the body, its role in various diseases and conditions, and recommended dietary allowances by age group. Find information by searching the Nutrient Index or the Disease Index.

Food Recommendations

Specialty Diets

Dietary information for lowering blood-sugar. Includes suggested recipes and a meal planning tool.

Information on adopting a healthy, gluten-free diet.

Healthy eating suggestions for people who have had, or are at increased risk of, heart disease.

A searchable directory listing Canadian companies in the specialty food industry. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I access the recommended dietary allowances? 

I'd like information about healthy vegetarian diets.

  • The Dietitians of Canada have very informative information on Vegetarian Diets.

What is the glycemic index?

I have a list of  foods and I'd like to know which nutrients each food item contains.

How can I achieve a gluten-free diet?

  • Take a look at this Gluten-Free Eating guide from the Canadian Celiac Association, Dieticians of Canada, and Global Resource for Nutrition Practice.

What size is a daily serving?

  • HealthLink BC is a good place to see recommended serving sizes.

Useful Websites

Locate a dietitian close to home using this online index.

Digital Library Resources

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This database offers international coverage on a wide range of public health topics.

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Everywhere for Vancouver residents
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Thousands of high quality, full-text, downloadable encyclopedias, handbooks, dictionaries and travel ebooks. *Also suitable for research at the elementary, high school and undergraduate levels.

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Consumer friendly health information from the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Includes information on prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs and common medical conditions.

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A multidisciplinary research ebook collection but with a focus on current and classic literary criticism. *Also suitable for research at the high school and undergraduate levels.

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Recommended Titles

Cover Image for The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Complete Food and Nutrition Guide
Roberta Larson Duyff
Call Number
613.2 D98a4
Provides healthy eating advice for different stages of life and for different health concerns including heart disease, diabetes, cancer, metabolic syndrome, food allergies, gluten intolerance, lactose intolerance and weight.
Cover Image for PDR for Nutritional Supplements
Thomson Reuters Staff (Editor), Sheldon Saul Hendler, David M. Rorvik
Call Number
613.203 P11a1
As part of the Physician’s Desk Reference series, this text provides reliable, research-based source of information on vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. This latest version now includes information on functional foods. Search by supplement name, brand name, category (e.g., probiotics, vitamins), indications (therapeutic or preventive purpose), side effects, interactions, companion drugs and manufacturers.
Cover Image for The China Study The China Study
T. Colin Campbell
Call Number
613.2 C19c1
Dubbed the “Grand Prix of Epidemiology” the China Study examined over 350 variables in health and nutrition. The results demonstrate the link between nutrition and heart disease, cancer and diabetes.
Cover Image for The Complete Guide to Nutrients
Michael Sharon
Call Number
613.203 S53n2
Publication Year
2017
This is an accessible encyclopedia about nutrients found in superfoods, herbs, vitamins, minerals, and supplements.
Cover Image for The Most Complete Food Counter
Karen J. Nolan; Jo-Ann Heslin
Call Number
613.203 B48c2 Central Ref. Resources
This book explains terms (medical terms, drugs, biochemical, genetic and physiological terms) commonly used in medicine, food science, metabolism, physiology, and nutrition.
Cover Image for How Not to Die
Michael Greger, Gene Stone
Call Number
613.2 G81h
Publication Year
2015
Dr. Michael Greger identifies major diseases and explains how to reduce the risk using food and nutrition and scientific evidence.

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