Better food takeout choices from Health Canada
- December 9, 2021
- Posted by: olinsadmin
- Categories: Critical Illness, Disability Insurance, Health Care Ontario, Life Insurance Ontario, Retirement

Working from home, supervising distance learning, cleaning and doing laundry … Sometimes, you just don’t have time and energy to make dinner. Your local restaurants may save the day. Now is the perfect time to invest in takeout to save your sanity and keep small businesses afloat.
Here, you’ll find healthier takeout choices to make mealtime easier from Health Canada
Better takeout choices
Takeout doesn’t have to mean unhealthy or junk food. Consider these ideas when you’re ordering food to go. Ordering takeout may seem like an easy and appealing choice right now. Whether you pick up your food or have it delivered, remember that it is still important to make wise menu choices.
Choose healthy menu options
Whether you are ordering from fast food outlets or restaurants, foods served in these places may not have many vegetables, fruits or whole grain foods. They can also have a lot of:
- sodium
- sugars
- saturated fat
Many fast food outlets and restaurants offer healthier menu options. Find out how items are prepared and if the nutrition information is available on the restaurant’s website.
Try these ideas to make your choices healthier:
- Drink water instead of ordering sugary drinks.
- Choose whole grain options, such as whole grain pizza crust.
- Steamed summer roll instead of a deep-fried spring roll.
- Choose options where half of the meal is vegetables or fruits.
- Grilled, not fried, chicken parmesan.
- Ask for sauce and dressing “on the side” so you can control the amount.
- Steamed vegetable dumplings instead of fried wontons.
- Choose foods cooked in healthier ways such as baked, grilled, broiled or poached.
- If the meal you want is only available in a large portion, save some of it as leftovers.
- Soft-shell taco rather than a fried hard-shell taco (or even better — a taco salad with lettuce).
- Baked potato instead of fries.
Safe home food delivery and online food shopping
Here are some tips to keep you safe when having food delivered to your home.
- Use contactless payment whenever possible: key fob, pay online, tap and go, use mobile apps
- Ask for contactless delivery if available. Have your food dropped off at the doorstep.
- Keep your distance from the delivery person (at least 2 arms lengths, approximately 2 metres).
- Wash your hands after handling the delivery.
- Put away your groceries, especially items requiring refrigeration.
- Wash your hands after handling food and food packaging.
- Use proper food handling practices.
Source: Health Canada