Nourishing Knowledge Blog Post Two: Percent Daily Intake Guide
You may have noticed labels on packaged foods called Percent Daily Intake or %DI. This shows you the percentage of energy and nutrients in a serve of the product. Because it is on the front of food packaging, it’s easy to see and can be a useful guide for choosing foods to best meet your nutrient needs.
You can use %DI labels to find out what is in a serve and the percentage the serve will contribute to your overall daily intake. You can also use the %DI to compare similar products so that you can choose the product with less sugar, saturated fat and salt.
Nutrition in the News
Last week it was announced that under legislation being introduced into the Victorian Parliament, all major fast food outlets and large supermarkets will be required to show the kilojoule count of their takeaway food and drinks from the middle of 2017.
The new laws will require the kilojoule count of all unpackaged and ready-to eat food and drinks to be displayed on menus and price tags.
This labelling scheme is to cover all fast-food chains with 20 or more Victorian outlets or 50 or more outlets nationally. About 3,000 food outlets will be affected. The laws will also apply to takeaway food in large supermarkets, of which there are about 650 across the Victoria.
Similar schemes have been introduced in New South Wales, the ACT and South Australia.
Roast beetroot, pumpkin and feta salad
http://www.womenshealthandfitness.com.au
Ingredients:
- 1 beetroot
- ½ pumpkin
- 1 red onion
- 1 sweet potato
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 handful rocket
- 30g reduced-fat feta
- 1 tbsp unsalted walnuts, chopped
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
Method:
Pre-heat the oven to 180°C. Peel the beetroot, pumpkin, red onion and sweet potato and cut into quarters. Place all the ingredients on a roasting tray lined with baking paper and coat with half the olive oil. Place the vegetables in the oven and cook for approximately 30 minutes, turning the vegetables after 15 minutes.
Place the rocket, feta and walnuts into a bowl. Add the roast vegetables, half the olive oil and balsamic vinegar and toss through. Serve immediately.
References:
Diabetes State/Territory Organisations 2012, Reading Food Labels, http://diabetesnsw.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/DA-30-Reading-food-labels.pdf, viewed April 2016.
Dietitians Association of Australia 2015, Understanding food labels, http://healthyweightweek.com.au/understanding-food-labels/, viewed April 2016.
National Health and Medical Research Council 2015, How to Understand Food Labels, https://www.eatforhealth.gov.au/eating-well/how-understand-food-labels, viewed April 2016.
Comments
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The salad looks yum...however not suitable when undergoing chemo.
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Hi PRIMEK,
Can you tell us more about what you meant about this salad's suitability and chemo?
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I've been advised no soft cheeses due to lysteria risk. It can be eaten only if cooked into things.
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