TIME TO BRUSH UP ON YOUR VEGGYCATION

It’s no secret that adding more vegetables to your diet will benefit your overall health and wellbeing, but did you know vegetables can also help improve vision, speed up metabolism and keep your mind active?

The nutritional information, origins, health benefits and cooking and storage tips for more than 80 vegetables have been uploaded on the newly relaunched Veggycation website, an educational tool to help growers and educators.

Funded by research foundation Hort Innovation on behalf of the vegetable industry, the website features valuable insight into Food Standards Australia and New Zealand, postharvest storage advice and handling, and waste reduction tips.

Accredited dietitian and nutritionist Jemma O’Hanlon said education can encourage individuals to consume more vegetables.

“Less than five per cent of Australians currently meet the recommended daily intake of vegetables,” she said.

“According to the Australian Dietary Guidelines, the recommended average standard serving of vegetables per day is 2.5 serves for a toddler aged up to 3, and around 5.5 servings per day for adults and children aged 12 and up.

“Obesity in Australia is pandemic affecting people of all ages, all cultural backgrounds and across all socioeconomic statuses, and this won’t change until we, as a nation, become more informed about the decisions we make regarding the food we eat.

“The Veggycation resource is a highly educational and easy-to-use interactive tool that gives educators and health professionals, accurate and detailed information about the health benefits of vegetables to encourage increased consumption.”

Ms O’Hanlon said the approved health claims available on the website also supported growers by providing them with information about the nutritional value in the produce they grow.

“This website is a fantastic tool that arms growers and the wider industry with information to educate and grow awareness around the benefits that incorporating more vegetables into their diets can provide, which will hopefully lead to improved health outcomes across the board,” she said.

For more, visit veggycation.com.au.