FACT SHEET: HEALTHY EATING
There seems to be an ever changing set of rules about what we should and shouldn't be eating. This includes information about fad diets which are made popular through media exposure and the celebrities who support them, but which are unsuitable in the long term at best and dangerous at worst.
So what is healthy eating?
Healthy eating is:
•Eating a wide variety of nutritious foods in moderate amounts and in a relaxed and flexible manner.
•Eating 3 meals a day + 2-3 snacks
•Going no longer than 3-4 hours without eating.
•Balanced main meals with a combination of protein, starch and fruit/vegetables
•Eating 7 serves of fruit and vegetables per day
•Eating 3 serves of dairy per day (milk, cheese, yoghurt)
•Eating 2 serves of protein per day meat, poultry, fish, nuts, beans or eggs - try lunch and dinner.
Dr Rick Kausman from ifnotdieting.com recommends enjoy food without feeling guilty, eating slowly and concentrating on taste, texture smell and all the good things about food! Mostly important, he recommends listening to your body to work out what it really wants and needs. 'Health and vitality come in all shapes and sizes, and we can aim to be healthy at our own natural weight rather than thin at any cost'
References
Department of Nutrition & Dietetics RPAH
Dr Rick Kausman 2001 'Calm Eating' Allen & Unwin, Australia