Australia’s peak nutrition body, the Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA), is about to launch its annual Australia’s Healthy Weight Week campaign (17-23 February), which focuses, this year, on helping adults between 25-50 years to achieve and maintain a healthy weight, using simple tools like home cooking and right portion sizes.
To kick things off, DAA Spokesperson and Accredited Practising Dietitian, Melanie McGrice, gives her top tips for healthy home cooking 2014:
- Plan. Plan your menu for the week, make a shopping list and stick to it. Encourage the family to get involved and remember that it’s harder to eat junk food if it’s not in the house. Extra tip – don’t shop on an empty stomach.
- Swap. Choose low-fat, salt-reduced, high-fibre versions of the foods you love. For example, swap full-fat yoghurt for a reduced-fat variety. Buy salt-reduced sauces, stocks, soups and tinned tomatoes. Choose whole grain varieties of breads and breakfast cereals.
- Simplify. Healthy cooking doesn’t mean gourmet. Focus on fresh, seasonal produce and the quarter, quarter, half rule. One quarter of a plate of low GI carbohydrates, another quarter of lean protein and half a plate of vegetables in a rainbow of colours.
The Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA) is the professional body representing dietitians nationally. Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) is the only national credential recognised by the Australian Government, Medicare, the Department of Veterans Affairs and most private health funds as the quality standard for nutrition and dietetics services in Australia.
For more information visit www.daa.asn.au