By SHELLY LIU
The 2015 pyramid encourages Australians to eat a diet that is 70 per cent plant-based and introduces herbs, spices, tofu and soya milk for the first time.
The new pyramid concentrates on the foods we should be eating rather than foods we should be restricting, as it has in the past.
Nutrition Australia executive officer and accredited nutritionist Lucinda Hancock said the new pyramid reflected Australia’s changing dietary patterns and cultural diversity
The focus is now on the five core food groups outlined by the Australian Government initiative Eat For Health. They include vegetables – legumes/beans, fruit, grain foods, lean meats/poultry and milk/yogurts.
Healthy Energy director and holistic nutritionist Sara Leung said many Australians were now more open to trying foods from other cultures such as Asia, India and Europe.
“Soy products are widely consumed in Asian countries – as they have become more accessible in Australia, we have learned more about them and they have become widely accepted as a dairy alternative,” she said.
“Tofu and soya milk are great alternatives to dairy products and animal protein such as fish, red meat and poultry – many people are intolerant to lactose (sugars from dairy products) or they may choose to limit or avoid animal protein, such as vegans and vegetarians.
“Replacing animal-based protein and dairy with soy products is a great option.”
Ms Leung said a variety of herbs and spices added wonderful flavours to foods, and many also had health benefits.
Unsaturated fats like extra-virgin olive oil have replaced butter and added sugars have been eliminated from the new pyramid.
Ms Hancock said Australians were now eating more healthily.
“There is a demand for healthier foods to be sold in supermarkets by consumers and current trends indicate that most people eat dinner at home six or seven nights a week,” she said.
“There is an increasing trend for Australians to be taking packed lunches to work.”
The evolution of the Australia’s Health Food Pyramid
Nutrition Australia set up the Healthy Eating Pyramid as a simple visual guide to the different types and proportions of foods that Australians should eat every day to maintain good health.
Nutrition Australia first introduced the Healthy Eating Pyramid in 1982, based on a “more-to-less” concept developed in Sweden in the 1970s. It was designed as a simple, conceptual model for people to use as an introduction to adequate nutrition.
The original pyramid was divided into four layers. The larger "Eat Most" layer at the base depicted all plant-based foods: fruit, vegetables, legumes, nuts, grains, bread and cereals.
The "Eat Moderately’"layer depicted dairy foods (and dairy alternatives) and meat (and meat alternatives).
Two separate layers in the "Eat in small amounts" section included added fats and added sugar.
The 1999 pyramid
In 1999 the three sections of “eat most”, ”eat moderately” and “eat in small amounts” remained. Added sugar was folded into the fats layer. Drinking water was on the side of the pyramid and the soft drinks were out.
In 2004, Nutrition Australia adapted the idea and created the Healthy Living Pyramid. It left the food advice the same, but refreshed the design and included activity for the first time with a “Move More” layer added at the bottom with several pairs of legs to promote physical activity.
The 2007 pyramid
In 2007 the design was refreshed, but the message remained the same.