Media Release
February 6, 2020
Dietitians equip Australians with the skills to make Smart Eating choices
Accredited Practising Dietitians (APDs) solidify themselves as the go-to health professionals in nutrition, as Australia celebrates Smart Eating Week. From 10 -16 February, dietitians across the country will be hosting a range of initiatives, encouraging and equipping their communities with the skills to make healthier food choices.
“There are over 6000 APDs who help support the health of the Australian community with their work either at an individual or population level; preventing, treating and managing health conditions through empowering behaviour change and better food choices,” said Tara Diversi, DAA President and APD.
Smart Eating Week is all about building healthier communities, through better health choices. With APDs running a range of events across the country, myth busting food labels to help Australians become supermarket superstars, is a focus for the week.
“There are over 30 000 packaged products in our supermarkets, but with so much variety available, it’s not always easy to make a healthy choice. The aisles are overflowing with options which use clever marketing and ‘buzz’ nutrition words such as ‘natural’ or ‘light’ – making the supermarket shop overly complicated,” said Diversi.
With an increase in health conditions caused by poor food and lifestyle related choices, and one third of Australian’s daily energy intake coming from foods that are energy dense and nutrient poor, understanding what we’re eating is becoming more important than ever.
Diversi explains, this is where an APD can help.
“We’re all encouraged to make healthy food choices, but this can be tricky if you don’t know what you’re looking for. Your local APD can help take the mystery out of marketing, guiding you through what to look for on a packaged product and how to read a food label, to help you easily make the best choice for your health needs,” said Diversi
As you go about your supermarket shop, Diversi adds it is best to opt for fresh foods first.
“Fresh produce, such as fruits, vegetables, wholegrains, lean meats and dairy products (such as milk, cheese and yoghurt) should make up the bulk of your purchases. Be supermarket savvy by shopping the perimeter first and use your label reading skills to make healthy food choices in the aisles.”
To learn more about Smart Eating Week and to attend a dietitian-run event in your area, visit:
daa.asn.au/marketplace/smart-eating-week-events/
Source: Dietitians Association of Australia.
