Bringing you the latest nutrition research and food ideas to help boost your health and wellbeing.

Latest Research

Influence of dietary intake and decision‐making during pregnancy on birth outcomes

The results of a recent study have been published in the Nutrition & Dietetics: Journal of the Dietitians Association of Australia. This study (1) aimed to examine dietary intake and decision‐making in a cohort of pregnant South‐East Queensland women to determine compliance with dietary guidelines and the relationships between dietary intake, decision‐making and birth outcomes. Take a look at the abstract of this study here.

Key Findings

Data analysis demonstrated suboptimal intake of core food groups
- Both meat and alternatives and grains fell below recommendations
- Both fruit and discretionary foods exceeded recommendations
Cultural diversity was significantly associated with decreased birthweight but increased intake of meat and alternatives compared to Caucasian women
The median intake of meat and alternatives was lower in women who reported smoking in the examined time frame
Smokers were less likely to declare health motives for food selection than non‐smokers
Smoking and health were inversely associated with increasing maternal age
Food choice was primarily sensory‐driven

Conclusions

It was concluded that this cohort demonstrated poor adherence to dietary guidelines. Culturally and linguistically diverse women and smokers exhibited dietary behaviours which may have contributed to suboptimal birth outcomes. Targeted nutrition counselling may improve outcomes in these women. These findings highlight the need for transdisciplinary maternity care and provide a foundation for further research aimed at optimising nutrition‐related birth outcomes in at‐risk groups.

How can NAQ Nutrition help? Eat For Health have produced a great summary of the Australian Dietary Guidelines specifically during pregnancy. Another great website to check out is Pregnancy, Birth and Baby, as well as Queensland Health's website looking at what to expect during pregnancy.

Reference: 1. James‐McAlpine JM, Vincze LJ, Vanderlelie JJ, Perkins AV. Influence of dietary intake and decision‐making during pregnancy on birth outcomes. Nutrition & Dietetics. 2020; 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1111/1747-0080.12610

Recipe Idea

Vegetable Pizza

This homemade vegetable pizza is a great lunch or dinner idea that's packed with a range of different vegetables, each varying in colour and nutrients!

To make this pizza, we used a wholemeal lebanese bread as our base and topped it with a little tomato passata, finely chopped garlic, chilli, onion, eggplant, capsicum, mushrooms, zucchini, pineapple, tomatoes, grated cheese and fresh basil. To decrease cooking time, you can sauté the vegetables before placing them on the pizza along with the cheese. Simply cook in the oven on a moderate temperature until cooked to your liking.

Change the ingredients to suit your and your family's food preferences, or to include what you have available.

Check out our Instagram account for more food inspiration from the NAQ Nutrition team!

Hot Topic

Is coconut water good for you?

Have you ever wondered if coconut water is good for you? It's often marketed as a natural health drink, but how does it stack up compared to water? The Conversation have asked five experts what they think - take a look at the article here.

Online Resources

Healthy Lunchboxes Made Easy

The Queensland Government's Healthier. Happier. initiative has recently released an informative, visual resource to help families with healthy school lunchbox ideas. If you're stuck for recipe ideas, this might be the inspiration for you! Click here to find out more.

Events

Bike With Brisbane - Active Commute Day

Coming up on Wednesday 18th March from 6:30am - 8:30am is Bike with Brisbane - Active Commute Day, which is Queensland’s biggest celebration of active travel. If you’re part of the ‘active commute’ community or would like to start getting from A to B in a physically active way, join Bicycle Queensland for a free breakfast, entertainment, exhibition stalls, competitions and prizes at the QEII Courts of Law Forecourt, 415 George St, Brisbane. Click here to find out more.

Live Well Logan Cooking Workshops

NAQ Nutrition hosts cooking workshops as part of the Logan City Council’s Live Well Logan program. The cooking workshops are open to people living in the Logan City Council area, aged 18 years and over, and are $3 per participant. Click here for more information. Upcoming workshops are as follows:

C ooking with Herbs and Spices (18 years and over)
Saturday 4th April 2020 10:30am - 12pm
Not sure when to use herbs and spices with certain foods? This workshop will give you the tips and tricks needed to use herbs and spices in your cooking. This cooking workshop is located at the Loganlea Community Centre (28 - 32 Timms Street, Loganlea). Click here for more information and to register.

Chillout School Holiday Cooking Workshops

NAQ Nutrition provides cooking workshops for school aged children as part of the Brisbane City Council's Chillout program. These workshops provide children with a chance to develop new skills and confidence in the kitchen, whilst having fun and preparing a meal they can taste. These cooking workshops are $5 per participant. Click here for more information and to register for the following sessions:

Best Ever Burgers (8 - 17 years)
Wednesday 15th April 2020 10am - 11:30am
Join us for a fun morning where we will be whipping up the best ever burgers and healthy sides. This cooking workshop is located at the Cannon Hill Parish Hall, 21 Beauvardia Street, Cannon Hill. Bookings are essential and open March 18. Click here for more information and to register.

Do you have a question for the Healthy at Home team?

You can email your enquiries to healthyathome@naqld.org

NAQ Nutrition
12/212 Curtin Avenue West
Eagle Farm QLD 4009
Ph: (07) 3257 4393
www.naqld.org