SPC Guidelines

Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) Dietary Guidelines

healthyEating Pacific Guide to Healthy EatingThe SPC Public Health Division developed guidelines for healthy eating to promote and protect the health and future of Pacific Island peoples (SPC, 2002c). Guidelines for healthy eating include a series of leaflets and fact sheets that focus on traditional pacific crops, food security, and health issues in the Pacific region. Healthy eating guidelines for adults and children are divided into 3 main food groups (SPC, 2002a, 2002b). Information on these food groups is described briefly below:

Energy: nutrient-dense foods

  • Provides calories
  • Recommended to include in all meals and makeup about half of your food each day

Protective foods: fruits and vegetables

  • High in vitamins and minerals
  • Recommended to include in all meals and snacks and makeup about one third of your food each day

Body-building foods: protein foods

  • Recommended to eat twice a day in small amounts

 

Overall Key Messages:

  • Variety – Each day eat a variety of foods from the 3 food groups
  • Moderation – Too much of any one food is unhealthy
  • Local – The best foods are local
  • Amounts – Eat the right amounts of each of the three food groups