Healthy for LIFE
Why be healthy?
Australians are living longer than ever before. Doing a few simple things every day can help us to lead healthy and independent lives. The lifestyle choices we make can really affect our health and wellbeing. Many Queenslanders increase their risk of developing a chronic disease such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some cancers through unhealthy behaviours that can be avoided. Improving your diet and being more physically active can help prevent or delay some chronic diseases.
Councils in recent years have become more proactive in encouraging increased physical activity and healthy eating in their communities. The Bundaberg Regional Council recognises the importance of these initiatives and has adopted a key role in promoting community participation.
Council has partnered in a two-year project with local service providers and organisations to deliver a range of physical activity, cooking and nutrition and healthy lifestyle programs for adults (18 years and over) in the Bundaberg Region. The project target group was people who were not in full time employment.
A range of initiatives were implemented by Council under their Healthy for LIFE Brand, with some of these initiatives and infrastructure continuing to be available to the residents of our region through Council’s Sport and Recreation “Healthy and Active” Communities charter.
Be informed on Council’s role in creating local environments that support active, healthy communities and lifestyles and commitment to supporting a vibrant sport and recreation sector - identified in The Bundaberg Regional Sport and Recreation Strategy.
Healthy Choices catering for sporting and community groups
To make the Healthy Choice the Easy Choice, Bundaberg Regional Council under the Healthy for LIFE brand have developed a resource kit to assist sporting and community groups to provide healthier choices to their members and the community when providing catering at their events and activities.
General guidelines for healthy eating:
- enjoy a wide variety of nutritious foods
- eat plenty of vegetables, legumes and fruits
- eat plenty of cereals (including breads, rice, pasta and noodles), preferably wholegrain
- include lean meat, fish, poultry and/or alternatives
- include milks, yoghurts, cheeses and/or alternatives
- reduced-fat varieties should be chosen, where possible
- drink plenty of water
Care should be taken to:
- limit your alcohol intake if you choose to drink
- prevent weight gain: be physically active and eat according to your energy needs
- care for your food: prepare and store it safely
Note: This list is a guide only. For the full Australian Dietary Guidelines visit eatforhealth.gov.au.
Get Healthy information and coaching service
An information and coaching service has been launched by the Australian and State governments under the National Partnership Agreement for preventative health. The Get Healthy Information and Coaching Service® is a free, confidential telephone service that helps people make lifestyle changes in relation to:
- healthy eating
- being physically active
- achieving and maintaining a healthy weight
For more information visit gethealthyqld.com.au or healthier.qld.gov.au.