As I get ready for zzzz, the USA is waking up to a big day. Well, a big dietitians’ day at least. June 2nd 2011 signals the launch of the brand new food selection guide. Crumble away ancient pyramid. The word on the street is that it’s a plate we’re about to meet. But those of us in Oz have already been talking in circles for years. So what’s the big deal? Well our guide is outa date, so the US may in fact seal our fate.
The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating
Our official food selction guide is based on the Australian Dietary Guidelines, which are in turn based on the Core Food Groups and the Nutritient Reference Values. Jargon shmargon I hear you say. But all you need to know is that they are all interlinked. Change one and you need to change them all. The Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing has a role in developing, implementing and evaluating national nutrition related policies, guidelines and resources. Nutrition recommendations are quoted as being “updated by the National Health and Medical Research Council to reflect the latest available evidence supporting population level healthy eating recommendations“. But so much has changed since the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating was launched in 1998 and we are waiting ( forever waiting) for the next review. The new DRAFT Dietary Guidelines are soon for release and we had a teaser this week:
Draft Dietary Guidelines Recommendations
The evidence that underpins each of the draft Dietary Guideline recommendations (below) will also be provided at the time of public consultation.
- Achieve and maintain a healthy weight: be physically active and choose amounts of nutritious foods and drinks to meet your energy need
- Enjoy a wide variety of nutritious foods from the following groups every day:
- plenty of vegetables, including different types and colours, and legumes/beans;
- fruit;
- grain (cereal) foods, mostly wholegrain;
- lean meat and poultry, fish, eggs, nuts and seeds, and legumes/beans;
- milk, yogurt, cheese and/or their alternatives, mostly reduced fat
- and drink water.
- Limit intake of foods and drinks containing saturated and trans fats; added salt; added sugars; and alcohol
- Encourage and support breastfeeding
- Care for your food; prepare and store it safely.
Detailed health advice, matched to the evidence, is being developed around each of these in the guidelines document.
But we are already seeing some US phrases muscle in here, like fill half your plate with vegies. And you don’t need a crystal ball to know that the new US food icon will be big, and bright and oh so interactive in it’s online form. It’s nearly worth staying up for. But a girl needs her healthy sleep and I know my lovely colleagues will help fill us in with comments and links below. It feels almost like Christmas. What gifts will tomorrow bring healthy peeps?
Update:
So drum roll please, here is the big reveal. Very back to basics….we’ll share further insights & links to the debate in the comments:
