INTRODuCTION
9Nevertheless, many Australians consider it important to think about the environmental impact of their food
choices, in the same way they make other lifestyle choices in the context of environmental impact.94-97
Increasingly, people seek advice from health professionals to help guide these decisions (see Appendix G).
Available Australian and international evidence cannot support specific advice on the environmental impact of
particular food items or brands, but there are some practical steps that people can take, including:
• buy and consume foods and drinks that are consistent with these Guidelines
• avoid overconsumption
• minimise food wastage
• consider your food buying, storage, preparation and disposal practices
• minimise and recycle the packaging of food.
Choosing quantities of foods and drinks that are beyond an individual’s energy needs is unhealthy; it also encourages
an unnecessary use of natural resources, which increases the person’s environmental footprint. Food wastage
further increases the environmental burden. The general principles of these Guidelines are compatible with
reducing environmental impact as well as promoting good health (see Appendix G).
How to use the Guidelines
This edition of the Australian Dietary Guidelines has been developed as a single comprehensive report covering
all healthy Australians. Further consideration of dietary patterns for specific subpopulations are provided where
there is a significant difference in dietary needs.
A consistent approach has been used throughout the Guidelines, with four main subheadings for each
component of a guideline.
• Setting the scene – provides a brief background to the topic.
• Evidence – outlines the scientific evidence base from 2002–2009, from studies of associations between
human consumption patterns and health outcomes, and the effects of dietary interventions on health
outcomes relating to foods, food groups and whole dietary patterns.
• How eating a particular food (or particular dietary pattern) may improve health outcomes – describes the
mechanisms of action that may underlie the evidence presented.
• Practical considerations – identifies practical issues and health outcomes for subgroups within the
population, including different life stages.
Practice guides are included to provide a summary of how each guideline can be put into practice.