Senior Australians are being urged to maintain a healthy diet following last week’s National Nutrition Week.
Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians, Senator Richard Colbeck said it was particularly important for senior and vulnerable Australians to eat well in order to boost their immunity and overall health.
“The Australian Government maintains the Australian Dietary Guidelines which provide evidence-based advice about the amount and kinds of food we need to eat for health and wellbeing,” Senator Colbeck said.
“By following the dietary patterns recommended in the guidelines, we will get enough nutrients essential for good health,” he said.
“It will also help reduce our risk of chronic health problems such as heart disease, Type Two diabetes, some cancers and obesity down the track.”
Senator Colbeck said only one in 20 (5.4 per cent) Australian adults and one in 17 (six per cent) children met the recommendations in the Australian Dietary Guidelines for fruit and vegetable consumption.
He said meal delivery services, like Meals on Wheels, played a crucial role in supporting the health and wellbeing of over 200,000 older Australians across 592 service locations.
“With the impact of the pandemic, the care and wellbeing of senior Australians has been a priority this year, and meals services and food security have become even more important,” he said.
Information about the Australian Dietary Guidelines can be accessed at this PS News link.
