Australian Health Survey: consumption of food groups

Most Australians do not meet the minimum recommended serves for the five major food groups, according to the Australian Health Survey: Consumption of food groups from Australian Dietary Guidelines released recently by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). The report shows that Australian diets do not conform to the 2013 Australian Dietary Guidelines and its recommendations for vegetables, fruit, dairy products, proteins and grains.  

The 2011-12 National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey is the basis of the report, which shows that the average serve of vegetables per day is 2.7, as opposed to the 5 recommended serves. Less than 4% of the population consume the minimum recommended daily serves of vegetables and legumes. The report also found that over a third of people’s total daily energy intake comes from ‘discretionary foods’, such as sweetened beverages, alcohol, cakes and sweets.