Health gap in Aussie diets

Australian are not eating enough grain foods to meet their health needs, even though most think they do, says new research.

48% of people still believe that carbohydrates are fattening and the majority of Australians are eating less than the recommended amount of grain foods such as bread, pasta, cereals and pulses considered necessary for a healthy diet, according to a recent survey conducted for the Go Grains campaign.

Go Grains, the Australian grain industry's first national nutrition campaign, will officially be launched  along with the results of the national survey at BRI Australia Ltd. (formerly the Bread Research Institute) on Tuesday, March 9, 1999.

The National Health and Medical Research Council recommends that we eat at least 7 serves of grain foods, such as bread, pasta and cereal, per day said Andrew Inglis, Chairman of the Grains Research Development Corporation (GRDC). The survey showed our diets are not achieving this target.

Diets high in grain based foods, along with fruits and vegetables, are known to be associated with lower risks of diabetes, obesity, heart disease and some cancers, he said.

Grains such as wheat, corn , oats and grain foods like pasta, breads and breakfast cereals are a primary source of carbohydrates and energy. A diet high in carbohydrates is less likely to lead to obesity and other health problems.

Go Grains is a nutrition communication program, initiated by the grains industry and food processors, aimed at promoting the nutrition and health benefits of grains and pulses.

The campaign will communicate the health benefits of grains and pulses like peas, beans and lentils to health professionals, key opinion leasers and the community.  It promises to be fun and over the next year, Go Grains will involve a variety of concepts that deliver the latest grains nutrition research results to all Australians, said Mr Inglis.

Go Grains is supported by graingrowers through the GRDC, which invests about $90 million a year in grains research.

The Go Grains community survey was commissioned by BRI Australia Ltd. and major food processors, and was supported by Australia's graingrowers through the GRDC. It was conducted by Yann Campbell Hoare Wheeler.

A new cookbook, 'Passion for Pulses - a feast of beans, peas and lentils from around the world', is part of the Go Grains campaign.  The cookbook, which has more than 150 luscious, healthy and low cost meal ideas, is designed to familiarise Australians with pulses and encourage people to include them in their diet.  It will also be featured at BRI Australia Ltd. on Tuesday, March 9, 1999, said Mr Inglis.

Source: Go Grains