Australia’s Healthy Weight Week (AHWW) is being held for the 10th time this year on the 13th-19th February, and local Accredited Practising Dietitian Chloe Fox wants to make sure Mudgee is a part of it all!

AHWW is supported by Australia’s peak body for dietitians, the Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA). With events being held across the country, local Accredited Practising Dietitian Chloe Fox said this year’s message is straightforward: make small changes towards smart eating, starting with cooking at home more often. 

She said research shows home cooking is linked with healthier habits, such as eating smaller portions and more fruit and vegetables, and less visits to fast food restaurants, and in turn, this is more likely to result in a healthy weight.

A national Omnipoll survey of 1,033 Australians aged 18-64 years, commissioned by DAA, revealed around one in two adults (53 per cent) want to lose weight but 16 per cent eat out or buy take-away three or more times a week. And around one in five (17 per cent) want to cook at home more.

‘I encourage all of Mudgee to look at making small changes to how they eat, for long-term health. A good place to start is to cook at home more often, as we know this is a key ingredient for a healthier diet,’ said Chloe Fox. 

She said by improving skills in home cooking, Australians can ‘up’ their vegetable intake by more than half a serve a day – an important finding given more than nine in 10 Australians don’t eat enough vegetables.

For Mudgee residents wanting to shape up, Chloe Fox said focussing on fundamental changes to how you eat, like eating more vegetables, plating out the right portion sizes and cutting back on cakes, biscuits and soft drinks, will have the added benefit of helping to manage weight.    

‘Being a weight that’s healthy for you will help lower your risk of lifestyle-related conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some types of cancer – and importantly, helps you to feel your best and live life to the full,’ said Chloe Fox.

Dietitian Chloe Fox will be holding a cooking class on Wednesday, 15Th February @ 5:30pm-7:00pm.  The cost is $25 per person, and participants will cook and taste a range of recipes that incorporate lots of veggies, are quick to cook, and most of all, taste great!  Anyone can come along, whether they want to improve their skills in the kitchen, or get some fresh inspiration for cooking meals that the whole family will enjoy!  To register, phone Chloe on 0413 232 785.

If you’d like to learn more about healthy eating, you can also book an appointment with Dietitian Chloe Fox at Mudgee Medical Centre by phoning 6372 8180.

For more information on AHWW, and to download your free copy of the bumper edition AHWW cookbook developed by DAA and Sprout, visit: healthyweightweek.com.au