A summary of the guidelines includes the following:
Food groups and types of foods to choose | Amount to be eaten | Main nutrients they provide |
Energy foods - starchy staples Energy food to choose:
Energy foods to limit:
Energy foods to avoid:
| Should make up half (50%) of all the food you eat each day Eat at least six portions each day Example of portion: 1portion = fist | Carbohydrates Vitamins Dietary fibre |
Protective foods - all vegetables and fruits Protective foods to choose:
Protective food to limit:
Protective food to avoid:
| Should make up one third (35%) of all the foods you eat each day Eat five or more portions each day Example of portions: Vegetables: 1 portion = 2 cupped hands Fruit : 1 portion = 1 cupped hand | Vitamins Minerals Dietary fibre Phytochemicals Antioxidants |
Body-building foods - protein-rich foods Bodybuilding foods to choose:
Body building foods to limit:
Body-building foods to avoid:
| Should make up one-sixth (15%) of all the food you eat each day Eat at least one to two portions each day Example of portions: Meat: 1 portion = palm of a hand Nuts: 1 portion = 1 cupped hand Beans/legumes: 1 portion = 1 cupped hand | Protein and essential amino acids Vitamins Minerals Fatty acids Fibre (from dried beans and nuts) |
Tuck shops should sell nutritious food items for students. Ideas include:
Fruits-fresh sliced, fruit salad, or fruit smoothies (made from real fruit not a sugary mix);
Baked or boiled root crops;
Tuna or egg sandwiches; or bean or veggie wraps; or roti parcels;
Air-popped popcorn. Limit added salt and butter;
Nuts;
Fresh coconut juice, sparkling water, other sugar-free drinks;
Vegetables or salads; and
Cooked noodles with added vegetables.
Tuck shops may not serve:
Sugar-sweetened drinks including fizzy drinks, sports drinks, cordials, sweetened coffee or tea, or cordials;
Deep-fried foods including breads, doughnuts, meats;
Pastry-based foods including sausage rolls and fish and chips;
Ice cream, confectionary, ice blocks;
Salty snacks including fries, chips, biscuits, twisties, uncooked noodles, cheese snacks, and fried peas; and
Candies, lollies, chocolates, or fudge.