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Foreword by Dr Rosemary Stanton
Reproduced from Food Choices the IT Way Teacher's Manual.
Australia has one of the most abundant food supplies in the world, yet many people make poor food choices. At times, this can be blamed on the bias in advertising which ensures massive promotions for foods high in fat, sugar, salt and additives and, by comparison, virtually nothing promoting fresh foods.
Poor food choices also occur because of what I call 'food illiteracy'. By this, I mean a basic lack of knowledge as to where foods come from, how various foods differ from each other and the environmental impact of our food choices. Many people also lack the simple abilities to prepare and cook foods. Such attitudes have been fostered by some sections of the processed food industry and could almost be seen as a de-skilling of the population.
Food Choices the IT Way aims to change that by using modern IT methods to make students aware of the diversity of foods available and to teach them in an interactive way about nutrition and the joys of healthy eating, so they can make full use of the wide variety of healthy foods available. Most importantly, Food Choices the IT Way will help students plan appropriate meals and snacks so they gain confidence to make wise and delicious choices rather than being manipulated by promotions for particular profitable but problematic products. The program also develops analytical skill which are going to be even more important as the future food supply expands and makes appropriate choice vital to maintain health for use while creating a sustainable food supply.
The arrival of people from a variety of different cultures and backgrounds has expanded Australians' horizons and widened our food choices. We could also learn much from indigenous Australians about the foods that sustained them so well until white people arrived, changed their diet and ruined their health. These are all areas that could well be addressed by students who successfully learn the basics from Food Choices the IT Way.
This program will increase food literacy so that those who engage with it will have greater skills in making the most important choice for good health - good food.
Dr Rosemary Stanton OAM
PhD. BSc. CNutr/Diet. Grad Dip Admin. APD
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PRODUCTS
