The Australian Dietary Guidelines are exactly what they say, guidelines! They were constructed as a framework for healthy eating for the general population to prevent chronic disease. Remember, these guidelines have been generalised for the entire population and therefore are not intended for people who require specific dietary advice. For example, the elderly will require advice outside of these recommendations. As an individual, we all have different lifestyles and goals so don’t be surprised if the guidelines are not spot on for you. This is where an Accredited Practising Dietitian or qualified nutritionist comes in to tailor nutrition advice for you! Check out the five guidelines below, how well do you meet them?
1 – To achieve and maintain a healthy weight, be physically active and choose amounts of nutritious food and drinks to meet your energy needs.
2 – Enjoy a wide variety of nutritious foods from the five food groups every day.
3 – Limit intake of foods containing saturated fat, added salt, added sugars and alcohol.
4 – Encourage, support and promote breastfeeding.
5 – Care for your food, prepare and store it safely.