Wider variety in diet advocated

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 2, 9 June 1987, Page 7

Wider variety in diet advocated

New Zealanders need to be more assertive about demanding the right food choices, according to a visiting nutrition expert. Professor Mark Wahlqvist, in this country recently to launch the book, "Are We Really What We Eat?" says that unless we have a conscious will to make the right food choices, we can expect to see diet associated diseases such as certain cancers, obesity, osteoporosis, macrovascular disease and non-insulin dependent diabetes continue to be a real problem. He says it is not just the health professionals who should be aware of this relationship. "People want the correct information. Without it, we can expect that crazy ideas will run riot," he said. That's why he believes "Are We Really What We Eat?" is so important. The book is written by eight of New Zealand's leading nutrition experts on subjects ranging from diet and allergy, to diet and

childhood behaviour, to obesity, anorexia and bulimia, to hypertension, to malignant tumours and to diet and gut function. "The book not only examines important issues, but identifies the experts for the public. People now know to whom they can go for reliable, current, accurate information." The book was launched by the Minister of Health, the Hon. Dr M.E.R. Bassett recently. "We know today that good pattems in developed countries relate to health pattems. And we know that our high intake of animal fats, salt and alcohol should be reduced and our use of wholegrain cereals, nuts and vegetables should be increased." But, he says, this does not mean we should cut out meat and dairy products from our diet, but be aware of the ways in which we can have the nutrients these foods provide without risking health problems. He says in Government, the agricultural sector, the food industry and the education system should be working together to make

sure the people know what the right choices are and then are able to make them. He also believes there is a lot of mythology about the need for people to reduce their energy (calorie) intake. The real need, he says is to reduce the fat energy intake, not energy intake overall. "In developed countries such as the Netherlands, Sweden and the United Kingdom, studies have shown that people who eat more, live longer as long as they maintain their ideal body weight. "The only way to achieve this is by being more active." He believes that in the long term, there will be less focus on food and more on people being physically active. "It's a key principle of nutrition - you have to be active enough to eat enough. This is a problem for some elderly peopie, maintaining a level of activity against which they can balance a diet giving them all the nutrients they need. And food is not just something which provides nutrients, it also has a

protective role against some diseases," he points out. Another key principle Professor Wahlqvist emphasises is that we should eat a wide variety of foods. "We're not like koalas who can live only on eucalyptus leaves. We evolved as hunter gatherers who gathered lots of different kinds of foods. And having a range and variety helps ensure we do not have too much of any one food." Professor Wahlqvist says that other kinds of behaviour can affect our nutrition, such as drinking alcohol or smoking tobacco. "I know some people say they'd rather smoke than give it up jand put on weight," He concedes, "but medically, it is better to carry a little extra weight than to smoke cigarettes."