DRAFT Australian Dietary Guidelines - Eat For Health
DRAFT Australian Dietary Guidelines - Eat For Health
DRAFT Australian Dietary Guidelines - Eat For Health
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Executive summary<br />
This Guideline emphasises the importance of limiting intake of foods and drinks<br />
high in saturated and trans fats, added salt, added sugars and alcohol, due to<br />
evidence that these foods are associated with increased risk of obesity and/or<br />
chronic disease, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and/or some<br />
cancers.<br />
The link between dietary saturated fat, cholesterol and cardiovascular disease is<br />
well established. Replacing dietary saturated fat or trans fat with monounsaturated<br />
and polyunsaturated fats is associated with improved blood lipid profiles and<br />
reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.<br />
Fat-rich foods are energy-dense, and it is prudent to choose low-fat and low<br />
energy-density foods in a total dietary pattern that seeks to control overall energy<br />
intake. Low-fat diets are not suitable for children under two years of age. Reducedfat<br />
milk may be used from the age of two.<br />
Reducing intake of sodium decreases blood pressure in both normotensive and<br />
hypertensive adults, while the evidence has strengthened that reducing sodium<br />
intake might decrease risk of mortality, stroke and heart disease in people with<br />
hypertension. Processed foods are the major source of sodium in western diets.<br />
Frequent consumption of foods and drinks high in added sugars is a major risk<br />
factor in dental caries. There is strengthened evidence of association between<br />
intake of sugar-sweetened drinks and risk of excess weight gain.<br />
The health, social and economic costs associated with excessive alcohol<br />
consumption are well-documented. Limiting alcohol intake is also an important<br />
strategy for achieving appropriate energy intake.<br />
This chapter provides information on why consumption of these food types should<br />
be limited. It includes practical considerations for meeting the guideline, for<br />
example, by choosing a variety of nutritious foods (Guideline 1), using only small<br />
amounts of unsaturated spreads and oils, and avoiding or limiting discretionary<br />
foods and drinks.<br />
<strong>DRAFT</strong> <strong>Australian</strong> <strong>Dietary</strong> <strong>Guidelines</strong>- December 2011 75
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