The Australian Guide to healthy Eating

The Australian guide to wholesome eating is a bit different than the food pyramid guide that was established in the United States. Australian nutritionists have developed a way of eating that helps population remember how many servings of each food group they should be eating for health.

Australian Guide to wholesome Eating: 12345 + Food Plan

The Food Pyramid

Australian nutritionists labeled this guide as the 12345 + Food Plan because each number represents a suggested serving of each food group. For instance the number 1 refers to 1 serving of meat or beans in a day. It suggests 2 servings of milk or milk products and 3 servings of fruits. The vegetables group would be 4 servings of veggies, and finally the Australian food guide suggests 6 to 12 servings of bread and other grain type foods.

Eating More Whole Grains and Cereals

The Australian Guide to wholesome Eating suggests eating a lot of servings of grains and cereal foods in a day! How can one man eat that many whole grains in one day? Well, let's take a look at what one serving signifies agreeing to the Australian food Guide.

Servings Sizes For the Grains Group:

2 slices of toast or bread
1 medium roll
1 cup cooked pasta, rice, or noodles
1 cup cooked porridge (oatmeal, cream of wheat)
1/3 cup ready to eat cereal
1/2 cup muesli
1/4 cup flour

Remember, it's very foremost when eating grain type foods that they be whole grains and not refined grains. Unfortunately the Australian Food Guide does not explicitly illustrate this and the consequent could be disastrous on your health in the long run. Whole grains, such as whole-wheat and brown rice are much healthier than the refined flour products are.

Australian Food Guide Allows For Extras

In the 12345 + Australian Guide to wholesome Eating the "+" plus sign refers to any small serving of food of your option for that day. I guess that could mean sweetmeat or anyone suits your fancy. Let's take a look at some of the daily extra foods that the Australian eating guide allows.

1 donut
1 plain biscuit
1 slice of cake
25 grams of chocolate
2 tablespoon heavy cream
1 can soft drink
1 small packet potato crisps
1 meat pie or pastry
1 1/2 scoops of ice-cream
2 standard alcohol drinks

Are the above extras wholesome indulgences or only bad habits? You be the judge. The Australian food guide is like any other nutritional guide. Take what you want and leave what doesn't apply to your way of eating or wholesome lifestyle.

The Australian Guide to healthy Eating