Nutrition Conversations

Over the past decade, food and food systems have emerged as key to tackling non-communicable diseases, sustainability, and food security. This has spurred major investments in technologies that transform how we produce and consume food. Yet, regulation and policy remain major barriers to innovation, access, and identifying foods that support healthy diets. Dr. William Yan earned his Ph.D. in Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases from the University of Alberta and joined Health Canada in 1995. As Director of the Bureau of Nutritional Sciences (2010–2022), he led key Healthy Eating Strategy initiatives, including sodium reduction, trans fat elimination, and front-of-package labelling. Now retired, he is a CNS-SCN Fellow, and teaches at the University of Ottawa. Dr. Samuel Godefroy, former Director General of Health Canada’s Food Directorate and Vice Chair of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, has over 25 years of experience in food regulatory science and policy. He is President of both the International Union of Food Science and Technology and the Global Food Regulatory Science Society. Currently, he is a Full Professor at Laval University, where he leads the Food Risk Analysis and Regulatory Excellence Platform. In this episode, Dr. Yan and Dr. Godefroy discuss regulation and policy as a barrier and facilitator to addressing food system challenges, with a primary focus on food manufacturing and consumers as targets for food system modernization. This podcast is sponsored by Protein Industries Canada.

Older adults are the fastest-growing demographic in Canada, yet gaps in care persist, including limited healthcare access, social isolation, and rising cognitive decline. Addressing these challenges through diet and physical activity is key to promoting healthy aging and quality of life. Dr. Lora Giangregorio is a Professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences at the University of Waterloo and Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Bone Health and Exercise Science. She leads the Bone Health and Exercise Science Lab, also known as the BonES lab. The BonES lab team leads research on physical activity for older adults and people with osteoporosis. Dr. Giangregorio is a member of the Scientific Advisory Council for Osteoporosis Canada and was on the leadership team that developed the 2020 Canadian 24-hour Movement Guidelines. She also led the Exercise Working Group for the 2023 Clinical Practice Guidelines for Management of Osteoporosis and Fracture Prevention in Canada. In this episode, Dr. Giangregorio discusses the vital role of exercise in supporting mobility, bone health, and muscle strength in older adults.

The world's over-65 population is expanding rapidly, and the risk of malnutrition is prevalent in this population. Meeting nutritional needs is a recognized strategy to reduce and address multiple debilitating adverse health outcomes associated with malnutrition. Dr. Agnes Siew Ling Tey, Senior Lead of Clinical Science & Nutrition at Abbott in Singapore. Her research centers on pioneering dietary strategies to prevent and manage malnutrition, cardiometabolic diseases, and obesity. With over 50 contributions to international peer-reviewed journals, and an evidence-based position statement for the National Heart Foundation of New Zealand, Dr. Tey is also an esteemededitor and reviewer for various scientific journals. Prior to joining Abbott in 2016, Dr. Tey was a Research Fellow at the Clinical Nutrition Research Centre of Singapore's Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). At Abbott, she has provided scientific leadership as the Study Chair and Lead Scientist for the Strengthening Health In ELDerly through nutrition (SHIELD) study on elderly nutrition and has led several randomized controlled trials in diabetes. Her broad expertise includes clinical research on malnutrition in older adults and cardiometabolic diseases in populations who are overweight or living with obesity. In this episode, Dr. Tey discusses the role of nutrition in healthy aging with a focus on the Strengthening Health in Elderly through Nutrition Study. This podcast episode is sponsored by Abbott.

Malnutrition in Canada is an overlooked health issue that can have a huge impact on individuals and the health care system. When it comes to pediatric malnutrition, the stakes are even higher, calling for urgent transformation in how we address and prevent it. . The Canadian Malnutrition Task Force, a group of clinicians, researchers and decision makers, has been advancing nutrition care research and education to address the prevention, detection, and treatment of malnutrition across many health sectors. Dr. Jessie Hulst is a staff physician in the division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at the Hospital for Sick Children, and Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics and Nutritional Sciences of the University of Toronto. She previously served as a Staff Gastroenterologist at Sophia Children's Hospital in Rotterdam, Netherlands (2011-2018). Her PhD focused on nutritional assessment in critically ill children, development of a nutritional risk screening tool (STRONGkids), and she has authored > 100 peer-reviewed publications. She has been involved in the implementation of the Dutch Malnutrition Taskforce pediatric malnutrition pathway and mandatory National Hospital Quality Indicators and is the co-chair of the pediatric working group of the Canadian Malnutrition Taskforce. Daina Kalnins is a registered dietitian and Director of Clinical Dietetics at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, which includes the Breastfeeding Program. Daina is a strong advocate for supporting evidence-based practice and has engaged her Clinical Dietetics team in caring safely practices, as well as quality improvement initiatives. She also works in the CF clinic and the lung transplant program, and has authored/co-authored over 16 publications and chapters related to CF, as well as several books on infant and children’s nutrition. In this episode, Dr. Hulst and Daina discuss transforming pediatric malnutrition care.

Most of us are familiar with vitamin and mineral supplements, but did you know that there are foods and drinks on the market called “supplemented foods”? These products have added ingredients such as vitamins, minerals, and caffeine. While they can offer additional nutrients, some can pose a risk to your health if consumed excessively or by vulnerable groups (e.g. pregnant individuals). Elaine De Grandpré is the Manager of Knowledge Translation and Exchange in the Bureau of Data, Science and Knowledge Integration of the Food and Nutrition Directorate at Health Canada. She is an innovative and energetic leader with over 30 years of experience in the public and private sectors and has extensive knowledge of public health nutrition, behavioural science, food and nutrition policy and regulatory development and evaluation, stakeholders’ consultation & engagement as well as education. Elaine is also a professor at the University of Ottawa in the Food Policy and Regulatory Affairs program. In this episode, Elaine discusses Health Canada’s new Supplemented Foods Awareness Labelling Initiative. You can learn more about supplemented foods at www.canada.ca/supplementedfoods.

Mentorship, often described as the art of guiding and nurturing, holds a special place in the fabric of human development. From ancient traditions of apprenticeship to modern-day corporate mentorship programs, the practice has evolved, yet its essence remains unchanged: the passing down of wisdom, experience, and support from one generation to the next. Dr. Sharon E. Straus is a geriatrician and clinical epidemiologist who trained at the University of Toronto and the University of Oxford. She is the Director of the Knowledge Translation Program and Physician-in-Chief at St. Michael’s Hospital and Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Toronto. She holds a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Knowledge Translation and Quality of Care and has authored more than 600 peer-reviewed publications and 3 textbooks in evidence-based medicine, knowledge translation and mentorship. She has received national awards for mentorship, research and education and was named to the Order of Canada in 2021. In this episode, Dr. Straus discusses the art and science behind effective mentorship, exploring strategies, challenges, and enduring rewards that define this practice.

On March 8, 2024 we celebrated International Women’s Day where the theme was to “Inspire Inclusion”. Over the past 20 years, studies have shown persistent gaps in gender representation at the top levels of parenteral and enteral nutrition societies. Why does this matter? It's not just about numbers; it's about equality, opportunity, and the ability for all voices to be heard.Dr. Carla Prado is a Professor and Registered Dietitian at the University of Alberta, and a Campus Alberta Innovates Chair in Nutrition, Food and Health. She is the Director of the Human Nutrition Research Unit and expert in assessing nutritional status through the precise measurement of body composition and energy metabolism. Dr. Prado is a member of the Royal Society of Canada, the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences, and has received the title of Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100. She is also a Clarivate™ Highly Cited researcher. Dr. Leah Gramlich is a gastroenterologist and physician nutrition specialist who works at patient, provider and systems levels to understand and enhance the impact of diet and activity strategies to improve health and reduce disease at the University of Alberta. She is the Founding President of the Canadian Nutrition Society and a CNS Fellow, an honour bestowed upon a CNS member by their peers in recognition for outstanding contributions to nutrition science and/or practice. In this episode, Dr. Gramlich and Dr. Prado will discuss sex disparities in parenteral and enteral nutrition societies and gender equity in clinical nutrition.