Links in this page: General Strategies | Workplace Strategies
Related Links: School Strategies

Take Heart can support you or your group to promote healthy lifestyles at home, at school, at work and at play. It's as easy as providing nutritious food choices, the chance to be active, and providing a smoke-free space. You can make a difference!

General Strategies

Provide Nutritious Food Choices

The overall goal is to promote eating more vegetables and fruits, more whole grains, and lower fat options. Consider making the following foods a staple in your events, meetings etc.:

• Water, pure fruit juices and 2%, 1%, or skim milk
  
• Lower-fat whole grain products more often (muffins, crackers, bagels, bread etc)
  
• Sandwiches made with little or no mayonnaise, butter or margarine
  
• Plenty of vegetables and salads
  
• Lower-fat dressings, sauces and gravies on the side
  
• Healthier dessert options like fruit salad, fresh fruit and yoghurt
  
• Choose healthy fundraisers e.g. fruit, cheese, non-food items
  
• Ensure vending machines and concession stands offer healthy and lower fat choices e.g. pure fruit juices, water, granola bars, nuts, sunflower seeds, fruit, veggie pizza

The Chance to be Active

The overall goal is to get people moving around. Even light effort activities are better than sitting around. Consider the following:

• Plan an "active" event along with the more common "sit-down" social e.g. mini-put, swimming, outdoor picnic in the park, golf, dance
  
• Plan active games for the children
  
• Promote a comfortable dress code, where good walking or running shoes are appropriate
  
• Replace coffee breaks with walking breaks during long meetings or conferences
  
• Provide information on walking paths, parks or gyms to visitors from out of town
  
• Register your group as a team for many of the fundraising walks or runs. Start training together

Create Smoke-Free Spaces

The overall goal is to protect non-smokers and staff from the hazards of Environmental Tobacco Smoke (second hand smoke). Consider the following:

• Hold your event or meeting in a smoke-free venue
  
• Choose to make your event smoke-free (regardless of the location)
  
• Inform participants where smoking is permitted
  
• Support local smoke-free by-laws by making your group's views known to municipal councillors

Healthy Living At Work and At School

Many of the above tips can be used in work and school environments. However, consider these additional strategies:

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