Australians, including residents in Sunbury and Macedon Ranges, keen for a chocolate treat this Easter holidays are encouraged to maintain a balanced diet as part of the Heart Foundation’s Heart Healthy Eating Pattern.
Data shows that more than 90% of Australian kids and adults don’t eat enough fruit and vegetables and the average Australian gets a third of their daily energy from discretionary foods – foods that are high in unhealthy fats, added sugars, and added salt.
Heart Foundation senior dietitian Jemma O’Hanlon said the Heart Healthy Eating Pattern is designed to support Australians to develop lifelong healthy habits, far more effective than fad dieting – and it’s free to take up from the Heart Foundation’s website.
“A heart healthy eating pattern acknowledges that the whole of what we eat is more important than any single food in isolation, or on a particular day,” she said.
“It’s more important to have a set of food groups that you can regularly choose from including wholegrains, fruit, vegetables, lean proteins and healthy fats.
“Eating from these groups regularly and only occasionally having discretionary foods will help you make positive and lasting changes to your own diet.”
Ms O’Hanlon said the Heart Healthy Eating Pattern focuses on creating good eating habits and not excluding foods.
“A Heart Healthy Eating Pattern helps you to eat healthy more often than not in a world where holiday and birthday celebrations with discretionary foods is common,” she said.
“For the large majority of the year you’ll be eating the best possible foods to protect your heart, and don’t need to feel bad about enjoying a little chocolate at Easter, some treats at other festive times, and a piece of cake on your birthday.”
The Heart Foundation are offering the following tips:
* Shape your home environment – keep fresh fruit and vegetables out in the open, while keep chocolates and other discretionary foods in the cupboard;
* Go dark – dark chocolate is the best option;
* Pair chocolate with whole foods;
* Share chocolate with friends and loved ones; and
* Cook with cacao instead.
Details: www.heartfoundation.org.au/bundles/healthy-living-and-eating/healthy-eating
