The five key recommendations in the Australian Dietary Guidelines are outlined below. These are for the general adult population. People with cancer may need to be more flexible about their food choices.
1. |
Achieve and maintain a healthy weight by being physically active and choosing nutritious food and drinks to meet your energy needs. |
2. |
Enjoy a wide variety of nutritious food from the five food groups every day. |
3. |
Limit your intake of alcohol and food containing saturated fat, added salt and added sugars. |
4. |
Encourage, support and promote breastfeeding. |
5. |
Care for your food – prepare and store it safely. |
Healthy eating from five food groups
This diagram is based on the National Health and Medical Research Council’s Australian Guide to Healthy Eating – see eatforhealth.gov.au.
More resources
Jenelle Loeliger, Head of Nutrition and Speech Pathology Department, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; Rebecca Blower, Public Health Advisor, Cancer Prevention, Cancer Council Queensland, QLD; Julia Davenport, Consumer; Irene Deftereos, Senior Dietitian, Western Health, VIC; Lynda Menzies, A/Senior Dietitian – Cancer Care (APD), Sunshine Coast University Hospital, QLD; Caitriona Nienaber, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council WA; Janice Savage, Consumer.
View the Cancer Council NSW editorial policy.
Need to talk?
Support services
Exercise and cancer
Exercise has many benefits both during and after cancer treatment, helping with side effects, speeding up recovery, and improving quality of life
Need legal and financial assistance?
Pro bono services, financial and legal assistance, and no interest loans
Cancer information
What is cancer?
How cancer starts and spreads
Relaxation and meditation
Learn how relaxation and mediation can help you both during and after cancer treatment, or listen to our relaxation and meditation audio tracks