One of the first healthy eating pyramids that Nutrition Australia released came out in 1982, and recommended that Australians to eat a lot of vegetables, dried peas, beans, lentils, fruits, and also breads and cereals.
Fast forward a few decades, and Nutrition Australia have released an updated version, suggesting that people load up their diet with lots of vegetables and legumes, a moderate amount of grains, and a smaller amount of milk, yoghurt, cheese, lean meat, eggs, nuts, seeds and legumes.
The new pyramid aims to combat growing nutrition confusion and risky fad diets, as well as address diet-related diseases.
According to Nutrition Australia, vegetables should be the main source of carbohydrates and fibre in our diet, and make up about 70% of what we eat every day. Older children, teens and adults should aim to have at least 2 serves of fruit and 5 serves of vegetables or legumes each day.
Dairy, meat and legumes are rich in calcium and protein, and also contains healthy nutrients like iodine, iron, zinc, B12 vitamins and healthy fats.
Healthy fats such as olive oil now sit at the very top, and sugar no longer exists on this pyramid. Instead, it’s placed next to a big fat red cross, with a cautionary “limit salt and added sugar” underneath.
Interestingly, the pyramid also suggests that we should enjoy lots of herbs and spices in our food to “increase your enjoyment of homemade meals without needing to use salt”.
Click here for a turbot with coloured vegetables recipe.
What do you think of the new pyramid? Do you agree with it? Tell us in the comments below…
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