Can Canadians afford the new Canada’s Food Guide? Assessing Barriers and Challenges

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate Canadian’s awareness and use of Canada’s Food Guide and to explore barriers to adopting the recommendations. We also conducted a cost analysis to measure the affordability of the 2019 Food Guide compared to the previous version. Although 74% of Canadians were aware of the new Food Guide, it ranked low as a preferred source of information; as well, affordability is a top concern when implementing the recommendations. However, eating based on the 2019 Food Guide is more affordable than the 2007 version at food prices in either year. These results bring into question the influence Food Guides have on population’s health behaviour.