A nutritious diet includes popsicles and potato chips?

Take it from a nutritionist.

"There are no bad foods. There are bad diets," said Kay Hamilton when a new Canada Food Guide was released in November of 1992.

The crafters of the guide must have agreed, which would explain how things like pretzels, pickles and potato chips made it into Health Canada's newpamphlet.

It was the first update to the guide in 10 years.

What's new in the 1992 Canada Food Guide

32 years ago

Duration 0:43

Bread and grains make up the backbone of the guide -- but there's room for potato chips too.

Bread, brown rice andenriched pasta were most important in the Canadian diet, accordingto the guide. Next came fruits and vegetables, especially dark greenones like broccoli and spinach.

Low-fat dairy part-skim milk and yogurt followed, and the guide's four groups were rounded out by lean meats like chicken and fish.

"The guide says choose from all these groups every day," said reporter Paul Hunter.

When coffee became fun

But there was afun part to the guide.

"This year, there's a new food group called Other Foods withpopsicles, potato chips, pickles, and coffee,"added Hunter.

The guide said no food was bad in moderation, and it was OK to drink up to two cups of coffee each day.

Nutrition a challenge for food bank users

32 years ago

Duration 0:37

For Canadians who depend on food banks for nutrition, it can be hard to follow the Canada Food Guide.

Not easy for everyone

But Gerard Kennedy of the Daily Bread food bank in Toronto said it could be challenging for his clients to fulfil the directives of the food guide.

"It is actually difficult for many families who strive very hard for themselves, do the best they can and still can't deliver that nutrition for themselves and their families," he pointed out.

But, added Hunter, Health Minister Benoit Bouchardsaid almost everyone could afford some good food "fruit, for example, isn't that expensive."

"And he says if Canadians eat right, it could help the government too," Huntersummed up. "Better food means betterhealth, and ultimately fewerdemands on an already expensive health care system."