Guidelines Dietary - Eat For Health

AdultsMales living alone are at particular risk of not eating a wide variety of nutritious foods. Analysis of the 1995 NationalNutrition Survey 36 showed that, in nearly all age groups, adult men consumed significantly fewer typesof foods than other groups.Older peopleThe diet of older people is generally more varied than that of younger groups. 45 However some older people areat increased risk of consuming monotonous, limited diets due to factors such as reduced mobility, poor dentitionand poverty, which may reduce access to a range of fresh foods.Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoplesLimited data on dietary intake among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are available. Very restricteddietary patterns – in which over 50% of energy (kilojoule) intake was derived by meat, flour and sugar – have beendescribed in remote Aboriginal communities, 352 with relatively little change observed recently. 353 However themajority of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people live in urban areas and their most significant dietary issuestend to be also experienced by many people in lower socioeconomic groups. For further information please seeAppendix A.Guideline 2People in lower socioeconomic groupsIn some urban centres, people in lower socioeconomic groups have less access to supermarkets and greateraccess to fast food outlets than more advantaged groups. 354,355 Supermarkets generally offer a wider variety offood products, as well as fresh raw food.In Australia, the cost of a nutritious diet has been estimated to account for about 40% of the disposable incomeof welfare-dependent families, compared to only 20% of an average family’s disposable income. Health professionalsshould be aware of the budget challenges healthy food habits may pose for people who are welfare dependentand should note that checking and comparing the price of food products can reduce the weekly food cost by about13%. 316 Further details regarding the association of equity issues and consumption of varied and nutritious dietsare included in Appendix A.People living in remote areasThe decreased availability of nutritious foods (such as fresh fruit and vegetables, wholegrain bread and low fat milkproducts) in remote and regional areas in Australia has been described frequently. The cost of nutritious foods inthese areas is also over 30% higher than in major cities and may impact on food security. 28,317,356,357People with vegetarian or vegan dietary patternsAbout 4% of all respondents in the 1995 National Nutrition Survey described themselves as vegetarian or vegan. 45The food frequency questionnaire data recorded only 2% as consuming no animal products, and a further 2% asrestricting consumption of animal foods to fish or white meat. 45 Many more people eat vegetarian meals regularlyor occasionally.Appropriately planned vegetarian diets, including total vegetarian or vegan diets, are healthy and nutritionallyadequate. Well-planned vegetarian diets are appropriate for individuals during all stages of the lifecycle. 358Those following a strict vegetarian or vegan diet can meet nutrient requirements as long as energy needs aremet and an appropriate variety of plant foods are eaten throughout the day. Those following a vegan diet shouldchoose foods to ensure adequate intake of iron and zinc and to optimise the absorption and bioavailability of iron,zinc and calcium. 359 Supplementation of vitamin B 12may be required for people with strict vegan dietary patterns. 8Enjoy a wide variety of nutritious foodsNational Health and Medical Research Council35