Australians confused and ill-equipped to choose a healthy balanced diet
Announcement posted by Tip Top Bakeries 23 Oct 2014
October 2014 (Sydney, Australia) - New research[i] shows that Australians are a nation of confused eaters, who lack the confidence and knowledge to choose healthy everyday staples for themselves and their families.
Dr Joanna McMillan, Grains & Legumes Nutrition Council (GLNC) and Tip Top Bakeries have joined forces to help bust common myths and encourage the nation to embrace a sensible, long-term approach to healthy eating.
The Healthy Diet Study - Galaxy Research 2014, which surveyed over 1,000 Australians aged 18 – 64 revealed that 87% of us are confused when it comes to eating healthily, thanks mainly to conflicting information about what comprises healthy food (59%)[ii].
This uncertainty about making healthy food choices leaves more than half (53%) feeling concerned about some of the food they eat. But, the overwhelming sentiment of 70% of people is the need for consistent reliable information that can be trusted[iii].
The most popular source of dietary advice is friends and family, and the vast majority of us have never consulted a doctor (57%) or a dietitian (74%) about what we eat[iv].
Fuelled by mixed messages and fads, we are turning to quick fixes in a bid to shift kilos, and invariably cut carbs, including bread. Yet, by shunning bread, Australian adults and children could be missing out on sources of fibre, whole grains and protein - essential for health and long-term weight management.
Georgie Aley, Managing Director of GLNC says, “Largely as a result of carb cutting attitudes, Australians claim they are eating less bread than three years ago - in 2011 72% of us ate bread daily, in 2014 this has dropped to 65%[v]. Through history, bread has been one of the main sources of grain and fibre in Australia. Alarmingly, 75% of Australians don’t eat enough whole grains in their diet[vi]. Bread is packed full of essential nutrients and can be an excellent source of whole grains in the diet.”
Practising Accredited Dietitian, Dr Joanna McMillan says, “The confusion highlighted in this research has lead to a nation who wrongly believe that carb cutting alone is the answer to healthy eating. Bread is an everyday staple that has been at the heart of family mealtimes for millennia, yet over recent years consumption has declined significantly. If this was being replaced with healthy whole grain alternatives there wouldn’t be an issue – but it is making way for ‘snacks’ that are perceived as health foods yet may be anything but.”
The study also found that only 37% of Australians consider bread to be a healthy daily staple, yet there is wide spread confusion about what bread actually contains. While 93% of Australians understand that everyday sliced bread contains carbohydrate, there is also a mistaken and widely held belief that it contains added sugar (67%). In addition, the majority of people (67%) don’t know that bread contains protein – which to many people’s surprise can make it part of a lower carbohydrate, high protein weight loss diet[vii].
The A Grain of Truth campaign from Tip Top Bakeries and supported by Dr Joanna McMillan and GLNC is calling on Australians to farewell the fads and go back to the smart basics. This means making sure that meals consist of real foods and include a healthy balance of all the key food groups; plants, proteins, smart carbs and good fats.
Based on Dr Joanna McMillan’s plate model, the Perfectly Balanced Sandwich Method makes it easy to create a quick and delicious meal for all the family, with a balance of all the key food groups our bodies need to function optimally.
Dr Joanna explains, “When choosing an everyday sliced bread from the supermarket, they fall into good, better and best categories - but it is important to remember that all bread has nutritional value and benefits. Bread is an ancient food, made from grain, which is a plant food. Obesity is a recent issue, and blaming bread alone for weight-gain is misguided. Cutting it out completely is a reflection of the confusion people are facing in making food choices.”
Georgie Aley adds, “Part of the problem is the trend of the ‘anti-expert’ - people are relying on family members, chefs, personal trainers and bloggers alone for dietary advice, are following fad diets and taking extreme measures as they look for quick fixes and instant gratification. GLNC recommends following the guidance of an accredited practising dietitian regarding a healthy, balanced diet and looking for a long-term, sensible approach to eating.”
Tip Top Bakeries has been putting bread on the tables of Australian families for over 50 years and bakes over one million loaves fresh every day.
Graeme Cutler from Tip Top Bakeries, says, “This research shows there is widespread confusion, not just about what constitutes healthy eating, but about what goes into everyday sliced bread. Bread is a source of fibre and other nutrients essential for healthy eating. Bread also contains protein and contrary to common belief, white bread contains no added sugar. So whether it’s white bread, multigrain, wholemeal or whole grain, or even gluten free, there is a bread available to suit everyone.”
For more information on farewelling fads, cutting through mixed messages and choosing a healthy, balanced diet, consumers should visit www.agrainoftruth.com.au and can join in the conversation using #agrainoftruth
- ENDS -
For further information or to arrange an interview with campaign spokespeople, please contact:
DEC PR for Tip Top Bakeries
Brittany Connor / Sarah Bullen / Sarah-Ann Brittain
(02) 8014 5033
tiptop@decpr.com.au
About Tip Top Bakeries
Tip Top Bakeries has been proudly baking for Australian families for over 50 years and launched the first national bread brand in Australia. Tip Top's pre-sliced, wrapped bread revolutionised the baking category in Australia in the 1950s.
Over the years, the range of breads and baked goods from Tip Top Bakeries has expanded to cater for the developing needs of Australian families. Tip Top Bakeries is part of George Weston Foods (GWF Group) which includes brands such as Tip Top®, Bürgen® and Abbott’s Village Bakery®.
Tip Top employees more than 4,000 people and produces over 1million loaves of bread every day and delivers its products to more than 18,000 locations.
About Dr Joanna McMillan
Dr Joanna McMillan is an Accredited Practising Dietitian and completed a PhD with The University of Sydney in 2006. Dr Joanna is the founder of Get Lean, a regular on the Nine Network and the official nutritionist for TODAY. She is also the author of several books, has a weekly column in Sunday Life and is a blogger for Woolworths Baby & Toddler Club. Her other roles include Vice President of the Australian Lifestyle Medicine Association (ALMA) and Ambassador for Diabetes Australia.
About Grains & Legumes Nutrition Council
The Grains & Legumes Nutrition Council is the independent authority on the nutrition and health benefits of grains and legumes. GLNC promotes grains and legumes nutrition as part of a balanced diet through evidence-based information cultivating good health.
Dr Joanna McMillan, Grains & Legumes Nutrition Council (GLNC) and Tip Top Bakeries have joined forces to help bust common myths and encourage the nation to embrace a sensible, long-term approach to healthy eating.
The Healthy Diet Study - Galaxy Research 2014, which surveyed over 1,000 Australians aged 18 – 64 revealed that 87% of us are confused when it comes to eating healthily, thanks mainly to conflicting information about what comprises healthy food (59%)[ii].
This uncertainty about making healthy food choices leaves more than half (53%) feeling concerned about some of the food they eat. But, the overwhelming sentiment of 70% of people is the need for consistent reliable information that can be trusted[iii].
The most popular source of dietary advice is friends and family, and the vast majority of us have never consulted a doctor (57%) or a dietitian (74%) about what we eat[iv].
Fuelled by mixed messages and fads, we are turning to quick fixes in a bid to shift kilos, and invariably cut carbs, including bread. Yet, by shunning bread, Australian adults and children could be missing out on sources of fibre, whole grains and protein - essential for health and long-term weight management.
Georgie Aley, Managing Director of GLNC says, “Largely as a result of carb cutting attitudes, Australians claim they are eating less bread than three years ago - in 2011 72% of us ate bread daily, in 2014 this has dropped to 65%[v]. Through history, bread has been one of the main sources of grain and fibre in Australia. Alarmingly, 75% of Australians don’t eat enough whole grains in their diet[vi]. Bread is packed full of essential nutrients and can be an excellent source of whole grains in the diet.”
Practising Accredited Dietitian, Dr Joanna McMillan says, “The confusion highlighted in this research has lead to a nation who wrongly believe that carb cutting alone is the answer to healthy eating. Bread is an everyday staple that has been at the heart of family mealtimes for millennia, yet over recent years consumption has declined significantly. If this was being replaced with healthy whole grain alternatives there wouldn’t be an issue – but it is making way for ‘snacks’ that are perceived as health foods yet may be anything but.”
The study also found that only 37% of Australians consider bread to be a healthy daily staple, yet there is wide spread confusion about what bread actually contains. While 93% of Australians understand that everyday sliced bread contains carbohydrate, there is also a mistaken and widely held belief that it contains added sugar (67%). In addition, the majority of people (67%) don’t know that bread contains protein – which to many people’s surprise can make it part of a lower carbohydrate, high protein weight loss diet[vii].
The A Grain of Truth campaign from Tip Top Bakeries and supported by Dr Joanna McMillan and GLNC is calling on Australians to farewell the fads and go back to the smart basics. This means making sure that meals consist of real foods and include a healthy balance of all the key food groups; plants, proteins, smart carbs and good fats.
Based on Dr Joanna McMillan’s plate model, the Perfectly Balanced Sandwich Method makes it easy to create a quick and delicious meal for all the family, with a balance of all the key food groups our bodies need to function optimally.
Dr Joanna explains, “When choosing an everyday sliced bread from the supermarket, they fall into good, better and best categories - but it is important to remember that all bread has nutritional value and benefits. Bread is an ancient food, made from grain, which is a plant food. Obesity is a recent issue, and blaming bread alone for weight-gain is misguided. Cutting it out completely is a reflection of the confusion people are facing in making food choices.”
Georgie Aley adds, “Part of the problem is the trend of the ‘anti-expert’ - people are relying on family members, chefs, personal trainers and bloggers alone for dietary advice, are following fad diets and taking extreme measures as they look for quick fixes and instant gratification. GLNC recommends following the guidance of an accredited practising dietitian regarding a healthy, balanced diet and looking for a long-term, sensible approach to eating.”
Tip Top Bakeries has been putting bread on the tables of Australian families for over 50 years and bakes over one million loaves fresh every day.
Graeme Cutler from Tip Top Bakeries, says, “This research shows there is widespread confusion, not just about what constitutes healthy eating, but about what goes into everyday sliced bread. Bread is a source of fibre and other nutrients essential for healthy eating. Bread also contains protein and contrary to common belief, white bread contains no added sugar. So whether it’s white bread, multigrain, wholemeal or whole grain, or even gluten free, there is a bread available to suit everyone.”
For more information on farewelling fads, cutting through mixed messages and choosing a healthy, balanced diet, consumers should visit www.agrainoftruth.com.au and can join in the conversation using #agrainoftruth
- ENDS -
For further information or to arrange an interview with campaign spokespeople, please contact:
DEC PR for Tip Top Bakeries
Brittany Connor / Sarah Bullen / Sarah-Ann Brittain
(02) 8014 5033
tiptop@decpr.com.au
About Tip Top Bakeries
Tip Top Bakeries has been proudly baking for Australian families for over 50 years and launched the first national bread brand in Australia. Tip Top's pre-sliced, wrapped bread revolutionised the baking category in Australia in the 1950s.
Over the years, the range of breads and baked goods from Tip Top Bakeries has expanded to cater for the developing needs of Australian families. Tip Top Bakeries is part of George Weston Foods (GWF Group) which includes brands such as Tip Top®, Bürgen® and Abbott’s Village Bakery®.
Tip Top employees more than 4,000 people and produces over 1million loaves of bread every day and delivers its products to more than 18,000 locations.
About Dr Joanna McMillan
Dr Joanna McMillan is an Accredited Practising Dietitian and completed a PhD with The University of Sydney in 2006. Dr Joanna is the founder of Get Lean, a regular on the Nine Network and the official nutritionist for TODAY. She is also the author of several books, has a weekly column in Sunday Life and is a blogger for Woolworths Baby & Toddler Club. Her other roles include Vice President of the Australian Lifestyle Medicine Association (ALMA) and Ambassador for Diabetes Australia.
About Grains & Legumes Nutrition Council
The Grains & Legumes Nutrition Council is the independent authority on the nutrition and health benefits of grains and legumes. GLNC promotes grains and legumes nutrition as part of a balanced diet through evidence-based information cultivating good health.
[i] Healthy Diet Study, Galaxy Research, August 2014 (conducted online among a sample of 1,014 Australians aged 18-64 years)
[ii] Healthy Diet Study, Galaxy Research, August 2014
[iii] Healthy Diet Study, Galaxy Research, August 2014
[iv] Healthy Diet Study, Galaxy Research, August 2014
[v] Australian Grains and Legumes Consumption and Attitudinal Study. GLNC. 2014 (released November 2014)
[vi] Australian Grains and Legumes Consumption and Attitudinal Study. GLNC. 2014 (released November 2014)
[vii] Healthy Diet Study, Galaxy Research, August 2014