Healthy eating
Balanced diet
It's important to eat a balanced diet. Make sure you choose foods from the 5 food groups. The amounts you need vary depending on your life stage.
Barbecuing food safely
Food poisoning cases increase during the barbecue season, so remember these simple steps to help keep your food safe on the ‘barbie’.
Calcium
Calcium strengthens bones, helps prevent osteoporosis and more. Find out how much you need for your age and how to find good sources of calcium.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are an important part of a balanced diet. Learn more about where to find healthy carbohydrates and what the glycaemic index (GI) is.
Cholesterol
Understand cholesterol risks and how to lower levels, prevent heart disease, and make dietary changes. Learn about cholesterol and heart health.
Dairy foods
Dairy foods such as milk, yoghurt and cheese are rich sources of many vitamins and minerals, including calcium, which is essential to bone health.
Dietary fats
The body needs some fats and oils as part of a balanced diet. Some fats (unsaturated fats) are healthier than others (saturated and trans fats).
Dietary supplements
Dietary supplements are also called food supplements or vitamins, and may fill any nutritional gaps in your diet. But most people don't need them.
Fibre-rich foods
High-fibre foods can reduce your risk of disease and keep your digestive system healthy. Find out how much fibre you need, and how to get it.
Folate
Folate, also called folic acid, is needed by your body to grow and develop. It is especially important for pregnant women to get enough folate.
Healthy eating over 60
As your body changes over time, so do your nutritional needs. Here's how to get enough fibre, vitamins, minerals and more in your diet as you age.
Healthy food swaps
Need help to meet your health goals such as reducing your blood pressure or cholesterol? See healthdirect’s list of healthier food alternatives.
Iodine and your health
Iodine is essential for your cells to make proteins, and to build your bones and nerves. Learn about how to get enough iodine in your diet.
Iron
The best sources of iron are animal-based foods like meat and eggs (called 'haem iron'), but many plant-based foods also contain (non-haem) iron.
Junk food and your health
Eating junk food, and having sweet drinks, can lead to short and long-term health complications such as weight gain, diabetes and heart problems.
Kilojoules
Kilojoules are the way to measure both the energy in food and drink and the energy the body uses. Find out more and how many kilojoules you need.
Magnesium
Magnesium is a nutrient essential for healthy muscles, nerves, bones and blood sugar levels. Read about the benefits of magnesium.
Potassium and your health
Potassium is a mineral that your body needs so nerves and muscles function well. Read more on the signs of having too much or too little potassium.
Protein
Getting your daily protein is essential to a healthy diet, especially at certain times of your life when your cells need to grow or repair.
Reading food labels
Food labels contain detailed nutrition information about packaged foods. Learn how to make informed decisions when shopping for food for your family.
Salt and sodium
Excess salt can raise your blood pressure, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke. Learn how to lower your salt (sodium) intake here.
Sugar
Learn more about both natural and added sugars, sweet substitutes and how to reduce your intake to help prevent conditions such as obesity.
Vegetarian and vegan diets
It's easy to be healthy on a vegetarian diet if you include plant-based foods from the 5 food groups. But a vegan diet requires extra care.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A (retinol) is important for your vision, skin and immune system. Most Australians can get enough vitamin A by eating a varied, healthy diet.
Vitamin B
The B vitamins are a group of vitamins needed for good health. Learn what the B vitamins do, and which foods are high in vitamin B.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an essential nutrient to stay healthy. Fruits and vegetables are the best source of vitamin C. Here's how you can get enough vitamin C.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is important for our health. Read about sources of vitamin D – sunlight and foods – and what happens if we don’t get enough vitamin D.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is important for proper functioning of many of your body's organs. Find out which foods are high in vitamin E and how much you need.
Vitamin K deficiency
Vitamin K deficiency can stop your blood from clotting properly and weaken your bones. Read more about how to prevent and treat vitamin K deficiency.
Zinc
Zinc is a mineral that is essential for many of the body's normal functions and systems. Learn more about how much you need and how to get enough.
