Non-government agencies are not directly funded by the government, and also play a role in many aspects of promoting healthy eating, such as:

• marketing
• education and information
• research
• advocacy and awareness
• community organisation and development

While you only have to learn specifically about the role of Nutrition Australia, it is good to be aware that other NGOs contribute to healthy eating in Australia.

Nutrition Australia

Provide evidence based nutritional information and advice to the Australian community. Examples of some initiatives include:

• Nutrition Information Service – phone and mail enquiry service provided to answer nutrition queries of the general public
• Nutrition in Schools Advisory Service – phone and mail service that also works with schools and canteens to improve nutritional value of menus and foods
• National Nutrition Week – nutrition awareness week in October

The Healthy Eating Pyramid

Foods are visually grouped in four tiers in an easy-to-understand pyramid:

• the two foundation tiers: fruits, vegetables and legumes, and grains in the next tier
• the middle tier: dairy and meats
• the top, smallest tier: healthy fats (monounsaturated and polyunsaturated

It also encourages drinking water, consuming herbs and spices, and limiting salt and added sugars.

Heart Foundation

The Heart Foundation aims to reduce premature death and suffering from heart and blood vessel disease in Australia.  Two methods they help achieve this are:

• The Tick program: this food product labelling system helps people make healthier choices quickly and easily, as products with the Tick must meet strict salt, sugar, fat, and
• Publications: produces nutrition publications which suggest how to improve diets to prevent and treat heart disease

Diabetes Australia

Its website provides information about changing diets and nutrition to reduce risk or impact of diabetes, including healthier recipes.  It provides group activities and camps for adults, adolescents and children with different forms of diabetes, and a Shopping Tour where dieticians take a group through Coles to help educate them on what to eat to help manage their diabetes.