March Is Nutrition Month - 2024

Information - Resources - Wellness Classes - Career Opportunities

Community Wellness Programs

Explore FREE Classes for Healthy Living

Feeding Littles - How to raise competent eaters

• April 25 on MS Teams

Feeding Your Baby - Introduction to solids

• March 21 on MS Teams

Commit To Quit - Reduce or stop nicotine use

• April 8 to May 6 on MS Teams (afternoons)
• April 11 to May 9 on MS Teams (evenings)

Craving Change - Change Your Thinking, Change Your Eating

• April 23 to May 21 in Selkirk (afternoons)
• May 9, 16, 23 and 30, June 6 and 13 on MS Teams (lunch hour)



To Register for Wellness Classes:

Call Toll Free 1-877-979-9355 or email [email protected]

For information on using Microsoft Teams for our virtual classes, click here.

We are Dietitians

Contributor: Caroline Le Clair, Registered Dietitian and Community Wellness Facilitator with the Interlake-Eastern RHA

March is nutrition month and this year Dietitians of Canada chose the theme “We are Dietitians” to highlight the profession. Registered Dietitians are experts in food and nutrition and believe in the power of food to enhance lives and improve overall health. The best part of our job is to empower our clients and communities to embrace food, understand it and most of all enjoy it! 

The Interlake Eastern RHA employs Registered Dietitians working in many different areas – community, health promotion, chronic disease prevention, primary care, foodservice, etc.

"One of my passions as a dietitian on the community wellness team is family nutrition. I love attending the west side “Our Time” healthy baby groups and answering questions about food and nutrition for baby. I also teach two online classes; “Feeding your baby - intro to solids” and “Feeding Littles – how to have pleasant mealtimes” which are free and available to all residents of the Interlake. Feeding your family can be a struggle and overwhelming, but there is help available." ~ Caroline Le Clair (and in the above photo) 

Read more and scroll down to see our schedule for virtual family nutrition classes.

The 2024-2025 Intake for Healthy Together Now Funding is open!

Are you a volunteer working with a community group? Are you looking for funding for your community programs?

Healthy Together Now (HTN) is a community-lead grassroots program to help prevent chronic diseases in Manitoba. The program is coordinated by the Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority and supported by the Province of Manitoba. HTN focuses on prevention activities for all ages and strives to engage the highest needs population, individuals, families, and communities. Limited funds are dedicated to each community, and are to be used within a year.

Community organizations can apply for funding for prevention activities in the areas of:

• Mental Well-Being
• Healthy Eating
• Tobacco Prevention & Reduction
• Physical Activity

Click here to connect with an IERHA Community Wellness Facilitator and to find a community meeting near you.

Banner Photo credits: Chaiyan Anuwatmongkolchia (Pixabay), Cristian Pizarro Cespedes (Pixabay), Freepik, James Rein (Pixabay), Prostooleh (Freepik), Energie DeVie (Pixabay). 

Your Budget Friendly Recipes for March: What to do with Potatoes

Contributor: Hailey Schurko, Dietetic Intern, 2023 and Kristen Ticknor, RD Registered Dietitian, Interlake Eastern Regional Health Authority

• Are you looking for something that pairs well with ham or baked chicken? Why not try this never-fail recipe for Scalloped Potatoes!

• How about a vegetarian & gluten free meal option with Crispy Tomato Cubes?

• If you are looking for a new brunch idea, why not try Potato Scones? They are a staple in Scotland and pair well with bacon and eggs.

Are you hungry for more? Click here for the recipes.

Photo credit: Polina Tankilevitch, Pexels

How can I make an appointment with a Registered Dietitian?

Source: ierha.ca



You don’t need a referral to see a registered dietitian, you can call to arrange an appointment. There is no cost.

Dietitians are specially trained to help if you have any of the following chronic disease conditions:

• Diabetes
• Heart health
• Cancer
• Kidney health
• Celiac disease
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Wound healing
• Gastrointestional Health and Digestive concerns
• Eating Disorders
• Chewing and swallowing difficulties
• How to modify your diet after surgery
• Malnutrition
• Meeting nutrient requirements (protein, vit B12, Iron, Calcium, etc)
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding
• Infant feeding and childhood nutrition
• Picky Eating
• Food allergies and Intolerances
• Sports nutrition
• Making sense of complex nutrition information
• Meal planning – issues with cooking for one, cooking on a budget.
• Undesired weight loss
• De-bunking myths and making safe food choices

Visit our website to find a Dietitian near you.

2024 Anti-Vaping Poster Contest

Contributor: Caroline McIntosh, Community Wellness Facilitator with Interlake-Eastern RHA

Data from a recent Health Canada survey showed that almost a quarter of students in grades 7-12 have tried an electronic cigarette. The use of e-cigarettes is not safe for kids, teens, or young adults. E-cigarettes usually contain nicotine which is highly addictive to the developing brain. Nicotine can damage the developing brain in adolescents and young adults. In addition, vaping has been linked with lung damage. To help combat these high levels of vaping in youth, the Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority held an ‘Anti-vaping’ poster contest with the focus being on the health risks of vaping and reasons not to vape. 

The anti-vaping poster contest was open to all students in grade 6 (and grade 6-split classes) in the Interlake-Eastern Health Region. Over 140 students from 4 school divisions participated: Evergreen, Interlake, Lord Selkirk and Sunrise.  The IERHA Tobacco, Vaping & Cannabis Committee chose 12 winning posters with colourful artwork, excellent messages and clever elements of persuasion. The TVC Committee would like to thank all students and teachers who participated and hope they continue to be community champions by sharing their knowledge on the harms of vaping. 

See All 12 of the Winning Posters.

Do you want to help increase awareness of the effects of vaping? Our next poster contest is November 2024 to January 2025.  

Become a Healthcare Hero!

Join us in Selkirk for paid three-week Micro-Credential Health Care Aide Training.

For more information, contact:

Ian Magnan

PH: 204-340-5596

Email: [email protected]

For more information on Interlake-Eastern RHA careers, visit our website.

Measles Update:

Although there have been no confirmed measles cases in Manitoba in 2023/2024, there has been an increase in cases globally. If you are unsure if your child has received the required number of measles vaccinations, please contact your local public health office.

Community Health Office locations and contact information can be found on our Find Us page. 

If You Have Symptoms or Have Been Exposed to COVID-19

What to do if you have symptoms that may be COVID-19

COVID-19 and flu vaccines remain broadly available, additional COVID-19 dose available to some higher-risk Manitobans

Source: Province of Manitoba

Manitoba Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care reminds Manitobans it is not too late to protect themselves against COVID-19 or seasonal influenza by getting vaccinated. It is recommended people get their COVID-19 vaccine by the end of April to help ensure the recommended minimum intervals between doses in anticipation of the fall immunization campaign. 

Building on guidance released by the National Advisory Committee on Immunization last month, an additional dose of the XBB COVID-19 vaccine is also now available to individuals who are at higher risk of more severe outcomes from COVID-19 or whose immune system may require the additional support of another dose. Manitobans who are concerned about their risk associated with COVID-19 should speak to their health provider about the need for a spring dose. For a complete eligibility list, visit https://gov.mb.ca/covid19/vaccine.html.

COVID-19 vaccines will continue to be available to all eligible people until April 30. Individuals who wish to receive a COVID-19 dose after May 1 should speak with their health-care provider. By generally discontinuing COVID-19 immunization at the end of April, Manitoba is ensuring most people will have at least a six-month interval between doses when vaccines are again available in the fall. Longer intervals between COVID-19 doses provide a stronger immune response. 

Community Health Office locations and contact information can be found on our Find Us page. 

For more information about COVID-19 and flu vaccinations in Manitoba, visit: https://manitoba.ca/protectmb/. 

Our next issue will be in circulation in April 2024.

Community Wellness Team | Toll Free 1-877-979-9355

[email protected] | ierha.ca