We're eating too many treats, a new national nutrition report reveals

It's no secret that Australians, like any other culture, appreciate good food and enjoy a hearty meal.\n\nYet apparently as a nation we are eating too many treats high in sugar and fat, putting us more at risk of obesity and other health problems including heart disease and diabetes, according to a new report.\n\nAustralia's Food and Nutrition 2012 was released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) on July 17 and provides comprehensive and detailed information about the state of the country's health and diet.\n\nUnfortunately, we could be scoring a lot higher, with the report revealing that many adults and children eat too many treat foods.\n\nThese foods, labelled as 'extra' by the AIHW, are options such as biscuits, cakes, pastries, crisps and lollies, and account for approximately 36 per cent of the average adult's energy intake and 41 per cent of a child's.\n\nAIHW spokesperson Lisa McGlynn said that this suggests that some improvements could be made.\n\n"The report shows that many Australians are not striking a balance between foods high in fat and sugar and more nutritious choices," she explained.\n\nIn addition, the findings revealed that 90 per cent of people aged over 16 do not eat five servings of veggies a day.\n\nPerhaps a way to add more balance, then, would be to swap out some of your treat foods for a meal packed with nutritious leafy greens, peppers, carrots, mushrooms and other lovely vegetables.\n\nThis may not sound appealing - what do you mean, eat a salad instead of a bag of crisps? - but in reality making a few simple changes could give your health an important boost.\n\nIt's all about being aware of the nutritional value of the food you eat, so that you can make appropriate choices.\n\nSome people like to cut down on their treat intake by eating well Monday to Friday and then relaxing on the weekend, while others like to include something small in their diet every day such as a few squares of chocolate or a couple of crackers and cheese before dinner.\n\nIt's up to you how you go about it, but adding fruits and vegetables to nearly every, if not all meals, could be a good way to go.\n\nYou could also look at cutting down your sugar intake by using a 'healthy sugar' such as Stevia. This is a natural sweetener that contains no calories, carbohydrates or aspartame, making it perfect to add to your baked goods or morning cup of coffee.\n\n