Health and Social Services

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Moose is an important food source in northern diets. Moose provides many nutrients which help build and repair body tissues in order to keep us healthy. The moose provides materials for clothing and crafts. With a single animal yielding as much as 300 kg of meat, moose continues to be a staple food source for many families.

What do we know about moose?

Moose hair tufting is a traditional craft that is unique and highly valued. Moose hide tanning is the traditional way to prepare hides. Many people work together to complete the process. Brains and dahsha are important ingredients to successfully tan a moose hide.

Tanned moose hide is used to make footwear and clothing. Smoking or drying helps to preserve the animal parts and increases the nutrient content due to moisture loss during the drying process. Smoked or dried meat is great to take travelling and for snacks.

Nutrients found in moose

Most parts of the moose are eaten, providing us with a rich source of nutrients needed for health.

• Reference Serving Sizes are from Canada’s Food Guide (dried = 35g, cooked = 75g, raw = 90g).
• The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) amounts are based on the needs of a 14 – 18 year old girl.
• Excellent, good and fair sources of nutrients have been standardized for any type of food source.

Did you know?

• Moose meat has the least amount of fat of all our local animals. The amount of fat in moose meat is low (1%) when compared to 35 – 55% for beef, pork or poultry.
• Roasted moose meat is an excellent source of B vitamins, such as niacin and riboflavin. These vitamins help our bodies use energy from foods and are important for healthy skin, hair, nerves and muscles as well as healthy growth and development.
• Roasted moose is also an excellent source of iron. Iron helps make healthy blood that flows through our bodies, giving us energy to be active and to grow strong. Healthy blood keeps us from getting tired.

Prepare Foods Safely

• Use safe food handling practices – wash your hands and equipment.
• Eat meat only when properly cooked, dried, or aged.
• To store meat, use only clean containers or bags made for FOOD storage.

Storage Tips

Healthy Eating

Prepare foods in traditional ways to avoid too much added sugar, fat and salt. Aging, drying, or roasting are healthy ways to prepare meat. Try roasted moose with potatoes, carrots and fruit (frozen or canned when fresh are not season). Have water to drink.

Hunting and fishing for a healthy lifestyle

Getting out on the land is part of our northern way of life. It is great to be active. Hunting, fishing, gathering, and eating traditional foods helps keep us healthy.

Contaminants

Cadmium and other contaminants may be a concern when consuming certain traditional foods in specified regions.

• Environmental Contaminants

• Contaminants Overview

For more information contact:

• Community Health Representatives
• Registered Dietitians
• Band Office and Local Elders
• Territorial Nutritionist, Department of Health and Social Services