4 reasons why food is more important than you think
Access to food is a basic human right, vital for good health and ultimately for life itself. But how often do you wonder where your next meal is coming from, who's growing it, and whether it's actually good for you?
Supermarket tips with food politics expert, Dr Alana Mann
We take a look at four reasons why food is important and how our researchers, students and alumni are making a difference.
1. Access to food
With one in 10 people out of the current global population of 7.4 billion already going hungry, ensuring that everyone has daily access to nutritious food is an ongoing challenge. So next time you’re deciding between take-out and a trip to the local shop, spare a thought for the people who are helping to make sure you get something to eat.
- Dr Alana Mann explains the complex relationship between food production, commerce and governance.
- MBA student Kelly McJannett founded Food Ladder, a social enterprise to help address food security issues.
- Our recently launched Sydney Institute of Agriculture merges food science and engineering research in the hunt for solutions to food problems.
2. You are what you eat
Diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease are amongst the greatest health challenges society faces. Understanding how to make the right food choices plays a key role in our health, with the power to positively or negatively impact our risk of disease.
- Dr Becky Freeman reveals how ‘Big Sugar’ is using the ‘Big Tobacco’ industry playbook to saturate us with sugar.
- PhD candidate Bala Shammugasamy believes the skin of an orange may prove to be better for you than the flesh.
- Manuka honey really does have the power to heal, but you need to buy the real deal.
- Research shows that a Mediterranean diet can protect against metabolic syndrome, helps prevent and control diabetes, may reverse fatty liver disease, and possibly slash the risk of Alzheimer's disease.
3. Starting them young
We’ve all heard stories of children who won’t eat their greens, parents exasperated by picky palettes, and the creative dishes some parents invent to sneak some good stuff into their kids meals.
According to the World Health Organisation, one in four Australian children are overweight or obese. What could we be doing to help turn this trend around?
- Associate Professor Teresa Davis is helping us understand how junk food marketing is targeting young consumers.
- How can the sugar you drink as a child impact you in later life? And find out what influence sugar in schools is having on our kids.
4. When your diet becomes ‘a diet’
From calorie controlled meals delivered to your door to celebrity endorsed food trends - we all know that what we eat is a major factor in controlling our weight. But when it comes to diets, what’s fact and what’s fiction?
- Dr Nick Fuller provides tried and tested tips for healthy weight loss.
- Could swapping sugar for artificial sweetener actually do more harm than good?
- Associate Professor Amanda Salis explains the science of post-holiday weight loss.
