Last year I asked a simple question in designing a national survey that turned out to be surprisingly complex. What do Canadians think is healthy?
The answers from our survey of 1,500 adults conducted in early March 2024 painted a picture of a country where people are trying to make sense of a fast changing health landscape shaped by new scientific evidence, cultural shifts, and a constant stream of online wellness advice. Twelve months later the findings feel even more relevant to conversations about public health, food regulation, and how governments communicate with people.
What stood out most at the time was that some areas of health are anchored in shared beliefs. Most Canadians agree that a full night of sleep is healthier than short naps spread through the day. Most believe a mix of plant and animal proteins is better than relying only on plant based options. Cooking with olive oil, eating whole eggs, and using butter instead of margarine are widely seen as healthy choices (although not by everyone). These are areas where scientific consensus has moved decisively and where public understanding seems to have followed.
Beneath that surface stability, however, our study revealed deep divides. These splits reflect more than personal preference. They illustrate how different generations, genders, and socioeconomic groups have absorbed entirely different health messages throughout their lives. That divergence matters because health policy depends on shared understanding. When the public is fragmented on the basics, communication becomes more difficult.
Consider nutrition. Older Canadians came of age at a time when the government’s primary goal was to reduce fat and cholesterol. That history still shapes their views. Six in ten older adults believe a low carb diet is healthier. Nearly three quarters say cutting as much fat as possible from one’s diet is good for you.
Younger adults, in contrast, do not see the world through that lens. They came of age during a period of intense focus on ultra processed foods. They are more likely to say that avoiding processed products is the real marker of a healthy lifestyle.