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Mar. 9, 2011 (Canada NewsWire Group) --

Dietitian Tina Stewart available to comment on omnibus results and tips on eating healthier

BRAMPTON, ON, March 9 /CNW/ - According to an Angus Reid Public Opinion online poll commissioned by Loblaw Companies Limited conducted of more than 1,000 Canadians on February 9, 2011, 76 per cent of Canadians are making healthier eating choices now versus three years ago. 

Canadians 55+  are leading the way with 80 per cent of them making healthier eating choices, followed by Canadians ages 35 to 54 (76 per cent) and Canadians ages 18 to 34 (73 per cent).

Regionally, residents of British Columbia and Alberta are leading the pack in healthier eating with 82 per cent of respondents claiming they are eating healthier now than three years ago. Ontarians followed closely with 77 per cent eating healthier. 

The findings revealed that the biggest barrier to eating healthier is perceived cost, followed by concerns around taste. "Eating healthier doesn't have to be expensive or lack flavour," says Tina Stewart, dietitian for Loblaw Companies Limited. "If you know how to shop wisely and learn how to replace some recipe ingredients with easy, flavourful alternatives, you can be on your way to leading a healthier lifestyle."

Healthy Bites from Across the Nation

• The biggest change Canadians have made to their diet year over year was eating more fresh foods (42 per cent), followed by reducing sodium intake (38 per cent) and reducing fat intake (36 per cent)
• Almost 7 out of 10 Canadians (67 per cent) are influenced by nutritional information on packages when making a purchase
• Compared to last year, the biggest change in Canadian men's habits has been reducing sodium intake (44 per cent), while almost half of Canadian women have begun eating more fresh foods (44 per cent)
• Regarding sodium intake, residents of the Atlantic provinces are most concerned, with 45 per cent of them reducing their sodium intake compared to last year
• Four of ten (39 per cent) residents from both British Columbia and Manitoba/Saskatchewan have reduced their sugar consumption
• At 40 per cent, Quebecers report reducing their fat consumption more than residents of other provinces year over year

Want to know more?

Tina Stewart knows first-hand about the obstacles to eating healthy. As a working mom (of two sons) Tina, a dietitian, understands the demands of having a family, but also knows the importance of a balanced lifestyle and making healthier food choices.

Tina is available to speak with the media and can address:

• Overall survey results that illustrate that Canadians are making healthier choices to their diets How to break out of a food rut and smartly stock a pantry and fridge - to prepare tasty healthier meals and snacks quickly and affordably
• How to be a smart snacker
• Tips for packing a healthier lunch that children will actually eat
• Time saving tips for healthier and easy food prep and cooking at home
• Ingredient substitutions to turn old recipes into healthier, new recipes

As part of the Helping You Live Life Well event, the President's Choice^® Insider's Report^® is now available nationally in Loblaw banner stores.

About the Survey

From February 9 to February 10, 2011, Angus Reid Public Opinion conducted an online survey among 1,021 randomly selected Canadian adults who are Angus Reid Forum panelists. The margin of error—which measures sampling variability—is +/- 3.1%, 19 times out of 20. The results have been statistically weighted according to the most current education, age, gender and region Census data to ensure a sample representative of the entire adult population of Canada. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.

About Loblaw Companies Limited

Loblaw Companies Limited, a subsidiary of George Weston Limited, is Canada's largest food distributor and a leading provider of drugstore, general merchandise and financial products and services. Loblaw is one of the largest private sector employers in Canada. With more than 1,000 corporate and franchised stores from coast to coast, Loblaw and its franchisees employ more than 136,000 full-time and part-time employees. Through its portfolio of store formats, Loblaw is committed to providing Canadians with a wide, growing and successful range of products and services to meet the everyday household demands of Canadian consumers. Loblaw is known for the quality, innovation and value of its food offering. It offers Canada's strongest control (private) label program, including the unique President's Choice^®, no name^® and Joe Fresh Style^® brands. In addition, the Company makes available to consumers President's Choice Financial^® services and offers the PC^® points loyalty program.

Product samples and high-resolution images are available upon request.

Or to arrange an interview with Tina Stewart or another Loblaw spokesperson, please contact: