What Are The Australian Dietary Guidelines?

The Australian Dietary Guidelines are a set of guidelines issued by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) for the public to use. They are based on the best available scientific evidence about food and nutrition and are designed to promote good health and prevent chronic disease. The Guidelines are an invaluable resource for health professionals, policy makers, food service operators, and the public.

The Five Guidelines

The five guidelines are:

Enjoy a wide variety of nutritious foods from the five food groups every day.
Base your meals on plenty of vegetables, legumes and fruits.
Include lean meats, fish, eggs, nuts, and/or legumes.
Choose high fibre, wholegrain cereals and breads.
Drink plenty of water.

The Five Food Groups

The five food groups are:

Vegetables, legumes, and beans.
Fruits.
Grain (cereal) foods, mostly wholegrain and/or high-fibre varieties.
Lean meats and poultry, fish, eggs, nuts, and/or legumes.
Milk, yoghurt, cheese, and alternatives.

Limiting Intake of Certain Foods

The Guidelines also recommend limiting the intake of certain foods, such as saturated fats, trans fats, added sugars, and salt. These foods are associated with chronic health problems such as obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and some forms of cancer.

Food Labels

The Guidelines also provide guidance on how to read food labels. The Nutrition Information Panel (NIP) is a good source of information about the nutritional content of packaged foods. It includes information about energy (calories), fat, saturated fat, carbohydrates, sugars, protein, and salt. This helps consumers make informed choices about the food they buy and eat.

Conclusion

The Australian Dietary Guidelines are an invaluable resource for health professionals, policy makers, food service operators, and the public. They provide guidance on the types of foods to eat and the amounts to eat, as well as advice on limiting certain foods. They also provide guidance on reading food labels, so that consumers can make informed choices about the food they buy and eat.