Guidelines Dietary - Eat For Health

G4Australia’s progress toward a sustainable food systemA systems approach to food consumption enables consideration of the many factors involved in getting foodfrom farm to consumer, as well as the implications for health. In recognition of the complex relationship betweensustainable food production and consumption, improved environmental practices are being applied to existingcomponents of the food system. These initiatives mainly focus on resource efficiencies (e.g. reducing energy,water and land usage). However, as previously mentioned, this involves interaction and consideration for theentire food supply to ensure any changes are not counterproductive for other areas. 1040Consumers and producers are the primary drivers for the direction of the food system. With increasing consumerdemand for sustainably produced foods, many producers are changing what they produce and how they produceit. 1040 These changes are generally well supported by industry, with many implementing initiatives that encouragesustainable production practices. 1063-1065 Industry is also responsible for funding much of the current researchin this area, with millions of dollars invested annually into research and development activities leading to moresustainable practices while also ensuring economic and social viability.The Australian and other governments are also active participants in planning for and managing a sustainable foodsystem. Australia is committed to reducing threats to biodiversity, through nationally agreed strategies such asAustralia’s Biodiversity Conservation Strategy 2010-2030 and through internationally agreed conventions such asthe United Nations’ Convention on Biological Diversity. 1066 These impacts on biodiversity are key to any approachto sustainable food consumption because conserving biodiversity is an essential part of safeguarding the Earth’sbiological support systems. 1056,1066Relevant state, territory and national departments are also promoting policies, programs and regulations thatfoster and support ecologically sustainable development both broadly and at the food system level. 1059,1067,1068However, there is room for improvement. Strengthening these arrangements through the development of theNational Food Plan will help Australia’s food system respond to new opportunities and challenges. 1059As the planning and management of a sustainable food system progresses at government and industry levels,it will be important to link the strong evidence on health and nutrition with the accruing evidence on theenvironmentally sustainable attributes of food consumption habits.G5Sustainability and food consumptionHealth, food choices and environmental consequences can all be influenced by behaviour change. Changingfood consumption habits can influence demand on the food system and consequently the pressure on naturalresources and biodiversity. 1042,1056,1059 Discussing sustainability in the context of consumption habits not onlyhas the potential to improve population health but also supports the objective of achieving a sustainable foodsupply with improved food security. 1042,1056,1059 While the current evidence is not yet strong enough to makerecommendations about specific foods in terms of ‘more sustainable choices’, it is suggested that food intakethat is aligned with better health outcomes, has a lower environmental impact overall compared to most currentwestern diets. 1042,1046,1056,1070-1073 The nutrient composition of foods is important and people should be encouragedto consume a wide variety of foods from the Five Food Groups to not only meet the nutrients required for healthand wellbeing but also contribute to better environmental outcomes. 8,1056Consumers can contribute to sustainability efforts through the dietary patterns they choose to follow. 1056 As thewealth of our nation has increased and the availability of food has shifted, the foods produced have also changedto meet consumer preferences. 1056,1058 This has resulted in a move toward greater consumption of processed foodsthat are high in saturated fat, added sugars and added salt. 1041,1046 It is suggested that changing consumer foodchoices can make a bigger difference to overall household sustainability than reducing water and energy use. 1040Therefore, avoiding overconsumption of food and food wastage should form the primary areas of focus by healthprofessionals in communicating sustainable food consumption habits. 1056Concerns about, and interest in, both health and the environment will continue to shape our dietary patterns.The practical considerations in G1 aimed at improving sustainability are easily aligned with the recommendationsin these Guidelines as they aim for people to eat only to their nutritional requirements.134EAT FOR HEALTH – australian dietary guidelinesNational Health and Medical Research Council