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Wednesday 26 August 2015

Fad diets drive Aussies from grain in droves

AUSTRALIANS are eating 30 per cent fewer grains now compared to four years ago.

This was the key finding of a study into the attitudes and behaviours of Australians around grains and legumes.

The study, commissioned by the Grains and Legumes Nutrition Council, found young women (aged 19 to 30 years) are significantly limiting their consumption of grains and six per cent of all Australians do not consume grains at all.

The Council’s general manager Michelle Broom said the decline was due to the popularity of “fad diets”.

The popularity of low carb, high fat diet; the Paleo diet and a mainstream shift to gluten-free diets have seen consumers eat less bread, white pasta and noodles.

“Fad diet trends have resulted in widespread confusion about the benefits of eating core grain foods and legumes,” Ms Broom said.

“We need to educate people about the health consequences of cutting these nutritious foods out of their diets.”

The Council’s managing director Georgie Aley said her organisation, industry, health practitioners, food manufacturers and the media needed to work together to get consumers, especially women, back on track.

“We need consistent, substantiated messaging that effectively communicates the health benefits of grains and legumes to consumers,” Ms Aley said.

The study’s co-ordinator, Colmar Brunton research director Sarah Hyland, said recent controversies surrounding fad diets (including the disgraced cookbook from celebrity chef Pete Evans and the exposure of “wellness warrior” fraud Belle Gibson) made consumers more aware of the need for reliable health advice.

“We have an opportunity right now to communicate simple and scientifically-backed health messages and now is the time they will be listened to.”

http://www.theland.com.au/

Just what are the consequences of not eating grains ? after seven grainless years on a fad diet I don't have any problems.

Graham

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

This type of article infuriates me. Grains can be evil to so many. For over three years I have not eaten them and my health has improved dramatically. Your blog and Dr Davis site has helped
http://www.wheatbellyblog.com/

Lindsey

Gail said...

As with any diet it must be done with good judgement.


Jan, thanks for visiting and for your kind comments. Want that rooster?

Passthecream said...

Yuk, grains and beans. Full of toxins and evil tooth-rotting carbohydrates and not even suitable food for cows and pigs. As true-blue Aussie I dis-own this grains council!

:)

C.

Lowcarb team member said...

Many thanks for taking time to comment here Lindsey - good to learn about your improvement in health.

Take Care

All the best Jan

Lowcarb team member said...

Hello Gail - yes diet / lifestyle is all about good choice and judgement ...


I like the picture of your rooster, on your 'Defective Rubber Snake' post - but I'll let you keep him, I'll make do with my alarm clock!!

All the best Jan

Lowcarb team member said...

Hi there 'C' (Passthecream) ... good to read your comment here, and many thanks for sharing your thoughts. Dis-ownment of the Aussie grain council noted :)

All the best Jan

chris c said...

I believe Australia has an even higher percentage of diabetes and obesity than the UK. No wonder with people like this in charge.

Lowcarb team member said...

Hello Chris - yes, food advice certainly has a lot of room for improvement...
Dr Aseem Malhotra has been saying recently that the Eat Well Plate and current nutritional advice is WRONG and is causing current epidemics. These epidemics are not just confined to the UK and Australia but many other countries too.

All the best Jan

Galina L. said...

I am happy about Aussies eating less garbage, I used to hear they were munching on wheat products all the time. Probably cutting 30% for them even not lowcarbing at all.

Lowcarb team member said...

Hi Galina, and many thanks for your comment.
Eating habits are slowly changing ... but many may and do say say still more to be done, world-wide!

All the best Jan