Welcome...
As the weather warms up, our thoughts turn to getting in shape for summer by exercising more and choosing healthier foods. But in the age of mass media many people are unclear about which foods are the healthier choice. From our Consumption and Attitudinal Study, we know young men are particularly confused, making poor grain food choices and not understanding the important role of core grain foods in the diet.
In this issue, we explore the benefits for young men in swapping refined grains for whole grain, high fibre or low GI grain foods. Our guest writer from the Sports Dietitians Association, Tim Stewart, explains the importance of quality grains for sports performance whether you're an elite athlete or a weekend warrior. With many young men tempted by the claims of the Paleo diet to cut grains from their diet, we also take a closer look at the most recent evidence on the health effects of this diet. Sprouted grains are all the rage, but do they offer all the extra benefits being claimed? One of our resident Accredited Practising Dietitians, Rebecca Williams, takes a look at the evidence. With 2016 International Year of Pulses rapidly approaching, plans for celebration activities are in full swing. One of the first Australian events will be the Gala Dinner to commemorate 2016 International Year of Pulses on 28 January 2016. Everyone's invited, so check the information in our GLNC News section for all the details. We also update you on the latest grains and legumes related industry news, including the 65th Australasian Grain Science Conference and the upcoming briefing on the GLNC Code of Practice for Whole Grain Ingredient Content Claims.
To receive updates on the latest health and nutrition research as well as GLNC news, please follow us on Twitter and join our growing Facebook community, where you can find nutrition tips and warming autumn recipes ideas.
Michelle Broom
General Manager
|
|
"Shredding" for summer? Shift your focus to carb quality not carb quantity
With summer approaching, no doubt many Australians are embarking on their yearly ritual to work off the extra weight, commonly known as "shredding" among young men, the group in focus for this month's edition of GLNC's Balance. With the abundance of carbophobic messages in the media, the solution for many this year may be to search out and indiscriminately eliminate all or most sources of dietary carbohydrate, including grains (and even legumes). It's true! For many young men, one of the first steps towards summer weight loss can be made with carbohydrate foods, but with a focus on making quality choices, not by going extreme and cutting all carbs. >>MORE
|
|
The Truth Behind the Paleo Diet
Unless you have been living in a cave you would have heard about the Palaeolithic (Paleo) diet - a diet intended to reflect the eating habits of our hunter-gatherer ancestors who lived between 2.5 million and 10,000 years ago. While the science demonstrates that Paleo diets varied widely based on geographic location and food availability, the key principles of 'modern day' Paleo diets are to enjoy an abundance of meat, other animal proteins, most fruit, most vegetables (but starchy vegetables like potatoes are restricted by some paleo dieters), nuts and seeds, along with the strict avoidance of grains, legumes and dairy. Here we review the science presented in a recent meta-analysis on the short term effect of Paleo diet and also, while we are at it explore whether the assumptions that underpin these principles stack up. >>MORE
|
Carbohydrate and Sports Performance
Tim Stewart from the Sport Dietitians Association explains why carbohydrates are essential for active people and provides tips on how much carbohydrate to eat and when to aid performance and recovery. Carbohydrates are an essential nutrient. They are required to help you function on a daily basis. More importantly, for the active individual, they play a key role in helping you achieve your goals. This article will explore carbohydrates and the role they play during exercise. We will also take a closer look into one of the main sources of carbohydrates...breads, cereals and grains. >>MORE
|
 |
Are Sprouted Grains a Smarter Choice?
There is no standard definition of 'sprouting', however a 'sprouted grain' is generally described as a whole grain in the transition phase between a seed and a new plant. The growing popularity of sprouted grains can be attributed to the suggested increase in bioavailability of micronutrients such as B vitamins, vitamin C, folate, calcium, iron and zinc, which in turn is thought to have a favourable effect on health. The research is however limited and it is unclear whether sprouted grains offer health benefits beyond the benefits associated with higher intakes of whole grain. >>MORE
|
 |
Briefing Event - Code of Practice for Whole Grain Ingredient Content Claims
GLNC will host a half-day event in Sydney on Thursday 12 November 2015 to provide an update on the Whole Grain Ingredient Content Claims Code of Practice to currently Registered Users of the Code as well as manufacturers eligible to register with the Code. Event speakers will discuss the Code's uptake and impact since its launch in 2013 and GLNC consumer communications in support of the claims, as well as explore the latest research on whole grain for health and discuss trends in whole grain consumption, food innovation and industry insights. For further information, please contact the Code Manager via codemanager@glnc.org.au or (02) 9394 8661.
|
International Year of Pulses Australian Launch Gala Dinner
In celebration of the United Nations 2016 International Year of Pulses the Australian National Committee, including GLNC, are holding the Australian Launch Gala Dinner in Melbourne on 28 January 2016. Come along to meet the farmers that grow legumes in Australia and celebrate nutritious, tasty and versatile legumes. For full details and to book a seat at the dinner, CLICK HERE.
|
Nutrition Society of Australia Canberra
GLNC has been invited by the Canberra branch of the Nutrition Society of Australia to present the latest consumption trends and research on the health benefits of grains and legumes. The presentation will be held on 16 October in Canberra. For more information, CLICK HERE.
|
 |
 |
Australasian Grain Science Conference
The 65th Australasian Grain Science Conference was held in Sydney from 16 - 18 September 2015. Michelle Broom, GLNC's General Manger, chaired the session 'Health and Nutrition Driving Innovation' which featured presentations from Sarah Hyland, Consumer Insights Specialist, who highlighted current consumer drivers related to grains; Ute Assenmacher, Goodman Fielder R&D Innovation Process Senior Manager, who explained the role of research in innovation of new products by industry; Anita Needham, University of Wollongong, who presented recent research on the metabolic benefits of sorghum grain, used in Sanitarium Weet-Bix, and Chris Blanchard, Director of the Functional Grains Centre, who discussed the benefits of research designed with the consumer need in mind. Other speakers on the day included Stephen Simpson from the Charles Perkins Centre who explained the risks and benefits different carbohydrate to protein ratios in the diets of animals, as well as Fiona Atkinson who provided a description of current research exploring how differences in genetic makeup may explain variability in glycaemic response to foods.
|
Australian Farmer of the Year Awards
GLNC attended the 2015 Australian Farmer of the Year Awards on 9 September at the InterContinental Hotel in Sydney. Congratulations to Grain Grower of the Year, Darren Jensen from Biloela in Queensland. On his farm in sub-tropical Queensland, Darren uses innovative cropping practices to prevent erosion during high rainfall and reduce herbicide requirements.
|
 |
NEW Bakers Delight Authentic Mixed Seed Sourdough Vienna
There are now seven delicious, healthy loaves in our healthy loafstyle range at Bakers Delight. Our latest addition - the Authentic Mixed Seed Sourdough Vienna - is packed full of linseed and sunflower seeds and the nutrients needed to help maintain healthy bones and muscles. With two slices delivering 11% of your recommended daily target for fibre and 11% of your recommended daily target for protein. And as there's no added sugar, preservatives, artificial flavours or colours, our Authentic Mixed Seed Sourdough Vienna is a great option for the health conscious.
You can enjoy it as a pre or post gym snack, a delicious breakfast with egg and avocado, a healthy sandwich, or for entertaining with family and friends. To find out more, CLICK HERE.
|
Including more of nature's whole plant foods, such as whole grain cereals and seeds, can play an important role in health and wellbeing. So to help people who want to eat more naturally, Arnott's developed Vita-Weat's new Superfoods range. Made using a careful selection of seeds and grains, including quinoa, chia and flaxseeds, known for their dense concentration of nutrients, the Vita-Weat Superfood crispbreads provide a source of dietary fibre and around 20g of whole grains per serve. This is more than 40% of the Grains & Legumes Nutrition CouncilTM whole grain Daily Target Intake.
Like the rest of the Vita-Weat range, Vita-Weat Superfood crispbreads are 100% natural. They provide a source of vitamin B3 which, together with good quality carbohydrates, helps to balance physical and mental energy during the day. The two varieties in the Superfood range - Ancient Grains & Seeds and Five Super Seeds. For more information, CLICK HERE.
|
|
