Perhaps the most important factors in approaching any eating plan are about being able to follow the diet basics to 

• maintain the way of eating through your life,  
• being able to have meals with friends and family, and  
• occasionally breaking out with something extra.

Understanding dietary guidelines and putting them to practical use is the challenge. Perhaps the path to success lies in the balance between the amount of energy you consume and how active are as well as finding the individual "key" that allows all the information to best work for you.

Fortunately, no matter what your age or stage of life, it is never too late to modify your eating. 

Useful Resources

Meal Plan

Suggested food servings to achieve a healthy diet for women^# and three example meal plans. 
 Meal Plans (12.59 KB)

^#Adapted from The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating. Background information fornutrition educators. Adelaide Childrens Health Development Foundation 1998 Smith A,Kellett E Schmerlab Y.

Books

All books from the Jean Hailes Foundation for Women's Health Shop

Nutrition for Life By Catherine Saxelby (2005) An excellent family reference book on all matters related to nutrition and is highly recommended. Color Me Healthy By Rita Erlich & Dr Alice Murkies (2001) Its message is simple and positive: eat (almost) everything. If Not Dieting, Then What? By Dr Rick Kausman (1998) Is a straightforward, no-nonsense guide to weight management.

Content updated 30 August 2006