We are very excited to announce that Dairy Australia has jumped on board as a Scoop Supporter in August. As you know Scoop Supporters eat, drink or think just like us, and help grow our mentoring program, Sub of the Month. With National Healthy Bones Week 2013 (4-10 August) on our doorstep we have some hot, nutrition news to share and six things your bones want you to know. Today.
Bone up
In February this year, the Medical Journal of Australia published an evidence-informed strategy to prevent osteoporosis. According to Osteoporosis Australia, an average of 262 hospitalisations occurred daily across the nation (one every 5-6 minutes) as a result of osteoporotic fractures, with bone experts predicting that the stats will just keep increasing in line with our ageing population. Osteoporosis currently affects 1.2 million Australians, with this figure expected to rise to 3 million by 2021.
1. 6.3 million people suffer from thin bones (osteopenia) and as many as four out of five people with osteoporosis are unaware they are suffering from the degenerative bone disease. Have you chatted to your GP about bone health?
Startling facts right? Most people recognise the role calcium-rich dairy foods play in building and maintaining strong bones, but people are not consuming enough dairy foods. In fact:
2. Under-consumption of dairy foods is widespread in Australia with eight out of ten adults failing to meet the minimum recommended intakes of milk, yogurt, cheese and/or alternatives.
Going up
Did you know? Brand new Australian Dietary Guidelines were launched by the NHMRC this year. And the recommended serves of dairy foods have now increased for certain groups. A serving is equal to 250ml of milk, 200g of yogurt or 40g of cheese.
3. Women over 50 years of age are now encouraged to double their intake of dairy foods from the previous recommendation of 2 serves a day to 4 serves.
4. All adults under 50 are urged to increase their daily dairy intake by half a serve from 2 to 2.5 serves.
Take your personal test in the National Healthy Bones Week Dairy Calcium Planner here.
Bank on it
Nutrition Science Manager at Dairy Australia, Dr Roxanne Portolesi highlights the three lifestyle recommendations of the MJA report on building healthy bones throughout life. Along with building a strong calcium bank with dairy foods, she recommends we:
5. Add regular weight bearing exercise and exposure to Vitamin D (either from a safe amount of sunshine or nutritional supplements) to help protect yourself from osteoporosis.
Say cheese
Now you know I’m a bit of a cheese lover and lo and behold “Say Cheese” is the theme of this year’s National Healthy Bones Week (Aug 4-10). And if you missed it, you must check out our recent guest post from one of the Dairy Dietitians Blake Robinson APD on – Yes. You really can say cheese. There is some new news on cheese, saturated fat and cholesterol, plus sodium and blood pressure.
On our recent #eatkit twitter chat on dairy foods I floated the idea of a mandatory after dinner cheese board as a way to bump up our dairy intake. Perhaps not for every night! But I encourage you to:
6. Keep your bones happy and take our challenge to try a course based around cheese during National Healthy Bones Week and let me know which fromage is your favourite in our comments below? Perhaps you’d like to upload a photo of a cheese board or your favourite toastie with us?
For an indulgent, Sunday brunch I’m loving the sound of this Quince Prosciutto and Pear Toastie. Mr Surfer Dude is loving it largely.
Check out the fabulous recipes, daily meal planners, school activities and more on the National Healthy Bones Week site and get set to “Say Cheese”! Drop us a comment below with your fave cheese tips or cheese board pic.
