ENJOY A WIDE VARIETY OF NuTRITIOuS FOODS
35Guideline 2
Adults
Males living alone are at particular risk of not eating a wide variety of nutritious foods. Analysis of the 1995 National
Nutrition Survey^36 showed that, in nearly all age groups, adult men consumed significantly fewer types
of foods than other groups.
Older people
The diet of older people is generally more varied than that of younger groups.^45 However some older people are
at increased risk of consuming monotonous, limited diets due to factors such as reduced mobility, poor dentition
and poverty, which may reduce access to a range of fresh foods.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
limited data on dietary intake among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are available. Very restricted
dietary patterns – in which over 50% of energy (kilojoule) intake was derived by meat, flour and sugar – have been
described in remote Aboriginal communities,^352 with relatively little change observed recently.^353 However the
majority of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people live in urban areas and their most significant dietary issues
tend to be also experienced by many people in lower socioeconomic groups. For further information please see
Appendix A.
People in lower socioeconomic groups
In some urban centres, people in lower socioeconomic groups have less access to supermarkets and greater
access to fast food outlets than more advantaged groups.354,355 Supermarkets generally offer a wider variety of
food products, as well as fresh raw food.
In Australia, the cost of a nutritious diet has been estimated to account for about 40% of the disposable income
of welfare-dependent families, compared to only 20% of an average family’s disposable income. Health professionals
should be aware of the budget challenges healthy food habits may pose for people who are welfare dependent
and should note that checking and comparing the price of food products can reduce the weekly food cost by about
13%.^316 Further details regarding the association of equity issues and consumption of varied and nutritious diets
are included in Appendix A.
People living in remote areas
The decreased availability of nutritious foods (such as fresh fruit and vegetables, wholegrain bread and low fat milk
products) in remote and regional areas in Australia has been described frequently. The cost of nutritious foods in
these areas is also over 30% higher than in major cities and may impact on food security.28,317,356,357
People with vegetarian or vegan dietary patterns
About 4% of all respondents in the 1995 National Nutrition Survey described themselves as vegetarian or vegan.^45
The food frequency questionnaire data recorded only 2% as consuming no animal products, and a further 2% as
restricting consumption of animal foods to fish or white meat.^45 Many more people eat vegetarian meals regularly
or occasionally.
Appropriately planned vegetarian diets, including total vegetarian or vegan diets, are healthy and nutritionally
adequate. Well-planned vegetarian diets are appropriate for individuals during all stages of the lifecycle.^358
Those following a strict vegetarian or vegan diet can meet nutrient requirements as long as energy needs are
met and an appropriate variety of plant foods are eaten throughout the day. Those following a vegan diet should
choose foods to ensure adequate intake of iron and zinc and to optimise the absorption and bioavailability of iron,
zinc and calcium.^359 Supplementation of vitamin B 12 may be required for people with strict vegan dietary patterns.^8