What is the difference between Canada Food Guide 2019 and 2007?

November 26, 2025 •

2 min read

In 2019, the new Canada's Food Guide replaced the 2007 version with a new visual and core recommendations, reflecting an evolution in nutritional science. Understanding what is the difference between Canada Food Guide 2019 and 2007 is crucial for Canadians seeking updated, evidence-based dietary guidance. The changes reflect a modern, holistic approach that goes beyond just food groups to include eating habits and social factors.

Quick Summary

This guide outlines the substantial changes between Canada's Food Guide 2019 and the previous 2007 version. Major updates include shifting from a food rainbow and serving sizes to a plate model, consolidating four food groups into three, and adding emphasis on plant-based proteins, hydration, and mindful eating habits.

Key Points

Simplified Visual: The 2019 guide replaced the complex 2007 food rainbow with an easy-to-understand plate model, showing proportions instead of specific serving sizes.
Fewer Food Groups: In 2019, the four food groups became three, merging 'Milk and Alternatives' and 'Meat and Alternatives' into a single 'Protein Foods' category.
Shift to Plant-Based: The newer guide encourages a greater intake of plant-based proteins, such as legumes and tofu, over animal-based ones.
Emphasis on Water: The 2019 recommendations explicitly promote water as the drink of choice, classifying fruit juice as a sugary beverage to be limited.
Holistic Eating Habits: Beyond just food choices, the 2019 guide adds guidance on eating behaviours like mindful eating, cooking more often, and eating with others.
Evidence-Based Development: The 2019 guide relied on a transparent, evidence-based review process, excluding industry-commissioned reports that influenced the 2007 guide.

The Visual Shift: Rainbow vs. Plate

The most notable change was the visual. The 2007 guide used a food rainbow, while the 2019 version adopted a plate model, simplifying how healthy eating proportions are understood. The plate is divided into half for vegetables and fruits, and a quarter each for whole grains and protein foods.

Consolidating Food Groups

The 2019 guide reduced the number of food groups from four to three. While 'Vegetables and Fruit' remained, 'Grain Products' became 'Whole Grain Foods', and 'Milk and Alternatives' and 'Meat and Alternatives' were combined into 'Protein Foods', encouraging plant-based options.

Changing the Recommendations: Beyond Food

The 2019 guide also emphasized eating behaviours, including being mindful of habits, cooking more often, enjoying food, and eating with others.

Comparison Table: Canada Food Guide 2007 vs. 2019


Feature	Canada Food Guide 2007	Canada Food Guide 2019
Visual Aid	Food Rainbow	Healthy Eating Plate
Number of Food Groups	Four: Vegetables & Fruit, Grain Products, Milk & Alternatives, Meat & Alternatives	Three: Vegetables & Fruit, Whole Grain Foods, Protein Foods
Serving Guidance	Specific serving numbers and sizes, often found confusing	Simple proportions on a plate (50% veggies/fruit, 25% whole grains, 25% protein)
Protein Emphasis	Separate groups for Meat and Dairy; equal emphasis	Plant-based proteins encouraged more often within the consolidated 'Protein Foods' group
Beverage Focus	Often included fruit juice as an equivalent to fruit serving	Explicitly recommends water as the beverage of choice and warns against sugary drinks like fruit juice
Processed Foods	Less direct guidance on limiting highly processed foods	Direct recommendation to limit highly processed foods high in sodium, sugar, and saturated fat
Eating Behaviours	Focused primarily on what to eat	Adds emphasis on how to eat (mindfulness, cooking, enjoying food, eating with others)
Evidence Base	Criticism for potential industry influence on guidelines	Developed using extensive, transparent evidence review; excluded industry-commissioned reports

Other Significant Updates in 2019

The 2019 guide made water the primary beverage and classified fruit juice as a sugary drink. It also promoted mindful eating for a more intuitive approach to food, recommended choosing unsaturated fats, and was launched as an accessible digital resource.

Conclusion

The differences between Canada Food Guide 2019 and 2007 show a move towards a simpler, more accessible, and evidence-based approach. The 2019 guide promotes a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, plant-based proteins, and whole grains.

For more detailed information, Health Canada maintains a website with all the resources for the current food guide: {Link: Canada's Food Guide https://food-guide.canada.ca/en/}.

Frequently Asked Questions

The change reflects an evolution in nutritional science and a move toward a more holistic, transparent approach. The 2019 guide aimed to be easier to understand, with broader, evidence-based recommendations and less industry influence.

In the 2019 guide, these two groups were merged into a single 'Protein Foods' category. This change de-emphasized dairy and meat in favour of a broader range of protein options, including plant-based ones.

Yes, a significant feature of the 2019 guide is its recommendation to 'consume plant-based more often' within the new 'Protein Foods' group. This promotes sources like beans, nuts, and tofu.

The 2019 guide's plate model encourages visualizing meal proportions: half vegetables and fruits, and a quarter each whole grain and protein foods.

Yes, the 2019 guide includes guidance on healthy eating behaviours like being mindful of your habits, cooking more often, enjoying your food, and eating with others.

No, unlike the 2007 guide, the 2019 guide classifies 100% fruit juice as a 'sugary drink' and advises against it, recommending water as the beverage of choice.

The 2019 guide promotes cooking more at home as it gives individuals more control over ingredients, limiting excess sodium, sugar, and saturated fat common in highly processed or restaurant foods.