Guelph Family Health Study

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Guelph Family Health Study

The Guelph Family Health Study is a long-term study designed to follow families over many years.

By the age of five or six, your kids will form eating, exercise and sleep habits that can last a lifetime. The Guelph Family Health Study is testing new ways for kids to learn healthy habits early - habits that can significantly lower your child's risk for disease now and in the future.

01/26/2026

GFHS in the news? More like GFHS on TV 📺

GFHS’ very own co-director, Dr. Jess Haines, was spotted on health series Burps, Butts, & Bones🌱🧬🦴

Watch the full video “Veggie Quest” on TVO kids website or YouTube. Link in bio!

01/20/2026

New episode alert🎧‼️

Join us for this awesome episode all about fibre with none other than the Queen of Fibre herself, Mairlyn Smith👑

Mairlyn is a professional home economist and food writer, and a familiar face on Cityline and Breakfast Television. With a background in acting, she brings humour and warmth to everything she does including this episode.

We dive into what fibre is, why it matters, and share practical, everyday tips for getting more fibre into your diet for you and your family. And of course, we couldn’t miss talking about her world-famous !

You can listen to the episode on all major platforms or via link in our bio!

01/15/2026

We’re kicking off the year with an amazing conversation with none other than the Queen of Fibre and fellow student 👑🌾

In this episode, we dive into all things fibre, from gut health to her famous (and beloved!) trademark fart walks.

🎙️ New Healthy Habits, Happy Homes episode drops Tuesday, January 20 - stay tuned!

newepisod

01/13/2026

We hope you’ve been enjoying Season 8 of Healthy Habits, Happy Homes as much as we have! 🎙️✨

We have had some amazing speakers covering a wide range of hot topics…

This season so far:
🎧 Welcome Episode: Introducing our new co-hosts, Heemani & Manahil
🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒A Geriatrician’s Guide to Healthy Aging & Supporting Aging Parents with Dr. Alejandra Villalobos, MD
🤖 ChatGPT & Kids: Impacts on Learning and Development with Dr. Tiffany Munzer, MD
🌱 Food Systems: Why Should We Care? with Dr. Evan Fraser, PhD

And we are just getting started! We are so excited to continue bringing you engaging and relevant episodes.

📅 Our next episode drops January 20th and trust us, you’re not ready for this one 👀🔥

We’re kicking off the year with an amazing guest… can you spot the clues in this image? 🕵️‍♀️✨

01/06/2026

Back to school = back to packing lunches 😅🥪
Feeling the dread already?

Don’t do it alone, get the kids involved!
Involving kids can help:
✨ build food skills
✨ make them feel included in the process
✨ encourage them to try new foods
✨ AND bring less food home

👉 Swipe for our favourite tips on lunches done right from our cookbook!

PLUS 👀
Our newest cookbook “Better Lunch Box Recipes” is up on our website! Visit link in our bio. It’s packed with fun recipes and practical prep and packing tips to make mornings easier.

12/30/2025

The holidays can be full of joy but they can also throw off family routines. 🍪✨ Irregular meals, extra screen time, and later bedtimes can add stress during this busy season.

The good news? Simple, realistic habits can help families feel their best while still enjoying the festivities. GFHS co-directors Dr. Kathryn Walton and Dr. Jess Haines, together with GFHS researchers Dr. Raphaëlle Jacob and Dr. Holly Schaafsma, share helpful tips for building healthy family habits during this holiday season ❄️🎄

Read the full article on Conversation Canada or via link in our bio!

12/23/2025

Happiest of holidays from the entire GFHS team🧡💙 We are continuously grateful for your support and are beyond excited for all that the new year will bring🥳 Wishing you and your family warmth, joy, and a healthy, peaceful holiday season⛄❄️

12/18/2025

That’s a wrap, GFHS!! 🧡🎶💙

We had a busy 2025 with lots of research, collaboration, and big ideas.

We are excited for an even busier 2026 as we keep developing the GFHS community and working together to advance family health research🏡🍎

Swipe to see the full 2025 Wrapped for GFHS —>

12/12/2025

Introducing Theodore!

Theodore is a third-year Bio-Medical Science working on a research project with Dr. David Ma. Check out some of his Q&A to learn more about him and his work with GFHS!

What is your role in the GFHS, and how long have you worked with the study?
🪴I am a third-year Bio-Medical Science student currently completing a research project with Dr. David Ma. I have been part of the study team since April 2024 and have worked on projects exploring calcium and vitamin D consumption, along with ultra-processed foods (UPFs) intake and sodium and saturated fat consumption, dietary energy density, and family stress.

What is your favorite place to eat in Guelph or on campus?
🧑‍🍳My favourite place to eat is Brass Taps!

What's something you're involved in outside the GFHS?
🔬I am currently President of STEM Fellowship Guelph! We are part of a national organization and lead programs like free tutoring, publishing articles in the school newspaper, and pairing interested students with mentors for research projects.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
📖I enjoy reading, hiking and playing video games!!

Are you a coffee person or a tea person?
☕I drink a lot of iced coffee!!

12/09/2025

💡IN THE NEWS!📰

A GFHS cookbook recipe spotted in the wild! Our “Plant-based Proteins Recipes: Made Easy-Peasy!” cookbook created in partnership with Health Canada and the Canada Food Guide, was featured in the December Food Guide Newsletter - showcasing the delicious and simple Berry Bunch Recipe.

For more healthy, fun recipes checkout the Guelph family Health Study website -> Family Resources -> Our cookbooks. Don’t forget to tag us if you try any recipes! 🥗📸

Recipe 🥮
8 Servings II Prep Time: 15 min II Cook time: 20 minutes

Ingredients
• 125 mL (½ cup) whole wheat flour
• 125 mL (½ cup) all-purpose flour
• 310 mL (1 ¼ cups) lower-fat milk or unsweetened fortified plant-based beverage
• 4 eggs
• 5 mL (1 tsp) vanilla extract
• 20 mL (1 ½ tbsp) honey
• 10 mL (2 tsp) non-hydrogenated margarine
• 45 mL (3 tbsp) vegetable oil
• 375 mL (1 ½ cups) frozen berries
• 125 mL (½ cup) slivered or chopped almonds

Instructions 📝
1. Preheat the oven to 250°C (475°F).
2. In a blender, place the whole wheat flour, allpurpose flour, milk, eggs, vanilla, and honey. Blend
on high until smooth.
3. Put margarine and oil in a 28×33 cm (11×13 inch)
baking dish and place into pre-heated oven for
3 minutes until margarine is melted.
4. Carefully and quickly, remove the hot baking dish
from the oven and pour the batter into the hot
dish. Scatter top with berries and return to the
oven immediately.
5. Bake for 20 minutes or until the batter is puffed
and an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
6. Top with almonds and enjoy!✨💫

12/02/2025

🎙️ New Episode: Food Systems - Why Should We Care?

In our latest episode, we sit down with Dr. Evan Fraser, Director of the Arrell Food Institute, professor at University of Guelph, and global leader in understanding agri-food technology, climate change, and the future of food.

We break down what a food system is, why it matters, and the crucial role individuals and families play in shaping healthier, more sustainable systems. We also explore the rapidly evolving agri-food field, how it’s changing, and what young people should know as they step into the future of food 🌱🌍

Oh and we talk about peanut butter cups 🍫

🎧 Listen now on your favourite streaming platform or through the link in our bio!

Address

Guelph, ON

Telephone

5198244120ext56168

Website

http://www.guelphfamilyhealthstudy.com/

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