Nutrition

A healthy eating pattern is fundamental to the maintenance of good health and wellbeing. Healthy eating benefits almost every aspect of your health, such as helping to maintain a healthy weight, boosting energy, improving digestion, and protecting against certain diseases (e.g. heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some cancers).

Some general guidelines on the types of foods and lifestyle patterns that promote good nutrition and health are:

• eat plenty of legumes, vegetables and fruit
• eat plenty of cereals (breads, rice and pasta) preferably wholegrain
• include lean meat, fish, poultry and/or alternatives
• include milks, yoghurts, cheeses and/or alternatives
• drink plenty of water
• limit saturated fat and moderate total fat intake
• choose foods low in salts
• limit your alcohol intake if you choose to drink
• consume only moderate amounts of sugars
• prevent weight gain - be physically active and eat according to your energy needs

(Australian Government National Health and Medical Research Council 2003)