Food Selection Models Key Knowledge Understanding food selection models as tools to promote healthy eating during youth Chapter 3.6

Food Selection Models Why do we need them? Food selection models are tools that help youth to select foods that will meet their nutritional needs, without consuming too many energy dense foods. Decrease the likelihood of short and long-term consequences caused by nutritional imbalance Used as a visual to encourage society to make positive food choices

Healthy Living Pyramid Move More ‘Move more’ section of the pyramid encourages physical activity to expend the energy gained from food. Reduces the risk of obesity and related conditions including cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Eat Most “Eat most’ layer contains food of plant origin. These foods should make up the majority of any meal. These foods are nutrient dense and low in fat. They assist in providing youth with optimal amounts of carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals.

Healthy Living Pyramid Eat Moderately Middle of the pyramid shows foods that should make up a third or less of any meal. Contains food mainly of animal origin, including fish, lean meat, eggs, chicken, milk, cheese and yoghurt. These foods provide protein, minerals (particularly calcium and iron) and B-group vitamins.

Healthy Living Pyramid Eat in Small Amounts Contains foods that should be present in only small amounts in a meal. Often processed and high in sugar and/or fat. These foods are energy dense and do not contribute significant amounts of nutrients to the diet. Can contribute to a range of conditions including obesity and cardiovascular disease

Healthy Living Pyramid Other things to know…… Encourages individuals to drink water due to the fact that it provides the best source of hydration for the body, without adding extra sugar to the diet. Suggests that salt should not be added to food.  Salt is a rich source of sodium, and although sodium is an essential nutrient, many Australians consume excess amounts, which can contribute to hypertension

Healthy Living Pyramid Other things to know…… The Healthy Eating Pyramid for Lacto–ovo Vegetarians is similar to the Healthy Living pyramid but contains only meat-free foods. The major difference between these two pyramids is in the ‘eat moderately’ layer. This layer contains dairy products and tofu in the lacto–ovo vegetarian pyramid. Tofu contains relatively high levels of protein and iron, and is a good substitute for meat.

AGTHE The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating (AGTHE) is a food selection model that reflects dietary patterns divided into portions from each of the five food groups Fruits Vegetables Grains Lean Meats Milk, yoghurt and cheese products A visual representation of the types of foods people should be eating to maintain a healthy lifestyle 24 hour period The adequacy of each food group in a person’s diet Proportion of food groups that should be consumed

AGTHE Refer to Text 3.6 for examples from each food group Recommended number of serves per day Age (years) Vegetables and legumes/beans Fruit Grain (cereal) foods per day, mostly wholegrain and/or high cereal fibre varieties Lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs, tofu, nuts and seeds, and legumes/beans Milk, yoghurt, cheese and/or alternatives mostly reduced fat Males 12–13 5½ 2 6 2½ 3½ 14–18 7 Females 5 Pregnant (up to 18 years) 8 Breastfeeding (up to 18 years) 9 4

AGTHE Discretionary foods are food and drinks not necessary to provide the nutrients the body needs, but which add variety. High in saturated fats, sugars, salt and/or alcohol, and are therefore described as energy dense. The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating and the Australian Dietary Guidelines encourage youth to consume these foods only sometimes, and in small amounts Fats play an important part in many processes such as the development of cell membranes, fuel for energy production and regulation of cholesterol. Unsaturated fats are the healthiest options and should be included in the food intake of youth. The Australian Dietary Guidelines recommend the following amounts of unsaturated fats for youth.

AGTHE Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight Enjoy a wide variety of nutritious foods Limit the intake of saturated fat Encourages breast feeding Care for their food: prepare and store safely