Year 10

Nutrition Seminar – The Biting Truth

Promoting optimal nutrition throughout every stage of life is imperative to nurture healthy growth and development. Similar to childhood, adolescence provides a pivotal juncture to foster positive dietary practices that can endure into adulthood.

A well-rounded and varied diet offers numerous benefits, including:

• Enhancing overall health and well-being.
• Fulfilling essential nutrient requirements.
• Shielding against the onset of chronic disease like diabetes, stroke, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and premature mortality.

The quality and quantity of dietary intake exert considerable influence, as both inadequate and excessive consumption of specific foods and nutrients can contribute to health challenges. As stipulated by the Australian Dietary Guidelines (ADG), adolescents and young adults are encouraged to consume an array of nutritious foods daily, encompassing:

• Abundant vegetables of diverse types and hues, in conjunction with legumes/beans.
• Grain (cereal) foods, predominantly wholegrain and/or high cereal fibre varieties, such as bread, cereals, rice, pasta, noodles, polenta, couscous, oats, quinoa, and barley.
• Lean meats and poultry, fish, eggs, tofu, nuts, seeds, and legumes/beans.
• Milk, yoghurt, cheese, or suitable alternatives, preferably with reduced fat content.

For young women, foods rich in iron assume particular significance due to their escalated iron needs resulting from menstrual loss, especially compared to young men. It’s noteworthy that a considerable portion of girls aged 14–18 display inadequate iron intake.

The ADG also emphasise curtailing the consumption of foods and beverages laden with added sugars, including confectionery, sugar-sweetened soft drinks, cordials, fruit drinks, vitamin waters, energy drinks, and sports drinks. These beverages often introduce excessive kilojoules with minimal nutritional value and can heighten the risk of undesirable weight gain. Furthermore, they’re associated with an elevated likelihood of dental decay. Instead, the ADG advocate for ample water intake, as it fosters overall health, encompassing oral health.

This past Tuesday, we had the privilege of hosting renowned Australian Dietitian & media nutritionist, Alex Parker from The Biting Truth, for a Nutrition Workshop with our Year 10 students. This workshop served as an introduction to the forthcoming nutrition education they’ll receive as part of the PDHPE syllabus later this term.

The Biting Truth, an esteemed nutrition consultancy headquartered in Sydney, Australia, has gained recognition for its dedication to revolutionising nutrition education. Founded and directed by Anna and Alex, prominent figures in the nutrition industry, the company has established itself as a reputable source of evidence-based guidance. Focused on empowering young individuals with comprehensive insights into nutrition’s profound impact on overall well-being, body image, and contentment, The Biting Truth aims to equip the next generation with the knowledge needed to lead healthier lives.

The Biting Truth champions a balanced and practical outlook on nutrition and health, dispelling misconceptions and fostering a supportive environment for positive transformation.

Given prevailing trends indicating that merely 62.6% of teenagers meet the fruit recommendation and a mere 9% fulfill the vegetable recommendation, the demand for sustained education in this realm underscores the necessity for increased awareness both within educational institutions and homes. During the workshop, students received reminders regarding macronutrient equilibrium, the significance of distributing protein intake throughout the day rather than concentrating it, dietary considerations for variations to the ‘traditional diet’, and meeting essential vitamins and minerals, with a particular emphasis on calcium and iron for teenagers. They learned about carbohydrates as the “brain energy” source, the distinction between high and low glycaemic index foods, the impacts of caffeine (including energy drinks) on teenagers, and the importance of being discerning consumers when it comes to nutrition labelling and combating misinformation. Moreover, the workshop delved into debunking diets and elucidating the genuine constituents of healthy eating, highlighting the manifold avenues to gauge one’s health.

Parent Resources

• View Website
• Instagram – The Biting Truth
• Eat for Health
• Dietitians Association Australia
• Sports Dietitian’s Australia
• Dietitian Connection
• Raising Children

Student News

Remie Gibbs is to be congratulated on her recent involvement in the Sydney Eisteddfod. Her love for tap dancing has gained her notable achievement and accomplishment, securing a Highly Commended recognition in the 15 and over Tap Dance Championships. During the event, Remie showcased her skill in two distinct tempo dances. She executed a rapid tap routine to the tune of Top Hat, White Tie and Tails and skilfully presented a slower tap performance, which she had unveiled just 48 hours prior, set to the melody of Paper Moon. Notably, both routines were executed in her favoured style of Broadway tap.

Congratulations Remie on a wonderful achievement!

Term 3 Key Dates

Please note some key dates for Term 3 below for your reference.

Ms Lisa Vale
Yr 10 Advisor
9968 9837
lvale@redlands.nsw.edu.au