Naturally occurring sugars play an important role in providing energy and a variety of nutrients the body needs to remain healthy. Many of the foods we eat contain a range of sugar types. For example, a wide variety of fruits and vegetables contain sugars including fructose, glucose and sucrose along with fibre and many essential vitamins and minerals. Milk and cheese are high in lactose – another type of common sugar found in many dairy products.
A survey by research group Kantar has shown New Zealanders are spending 35% more on food compared to last year, with 40% of households now spending more than $200 a week. Inflation-related price increases are also impacting on Australian food prices, contributing a cost-of-living pressures on households in both countries.
You might have heard of the ‘Planetary health diet’ included in the landmark study from the EAT-Lancet Commission and it was this work that launched the concept of planetary health.
The Nutrition Society of Australia annual scientific meeting ‘Sustainable nutrition for a healthy life’ will take place 29 November-2 December in Perth Western Australia.
A team of scientists led by University of Otago are developing a uniquely New Zealand eating pattern called the New Zealand wellbeing diet, He Rourou Whai Painga, they hope will help reduce the impact of chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. The dietary approach will focus on locally produced vegetables, fruits, wholegrains, nuts and seeds and olive oil, and moderate amounts of seafood. The project also includes food and beverage industry collaborators, large and small. The study will recruit 200 participants and will take a whanau-based (family) approach to help introduce new foods and recipes to steer them toward a healthier eating pattern. This study is part of a larger project called the High-Value Nutrition Science Challenge that aims to demonstrate the health promotion potential of local foods and thereby grow the local consumption and export of New Zealand foods. Check out the video about it here.
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