'Extra' Foods Group

In The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating,  the following foods have been included:

Alcohol, biscuits, butter, cake, chocolate, cordial, crisps, carbonated drink, honey, ice cream, jam, meat pie, margarine and pizza.

There are many other foods that can be included in this group. This will depend on culture, tradition, availability, cost and personal preference.

Which Nutrients Are Provided?

The main nutrients provided by this group of foods are fat and sugar, some also provide other nutrients e.g. fat soluble vitamins and some contain salt.

Other Foods That Count

All chips, other than 5% fat oven chips, all margarines and spreads, all non-diet soft drinks , all oil-based salad dressings, all savoury crisp-like snacks, all savoury pastries, all sweet pastries, cakes and buns e.g. danish pastry, chocolate gateaux and iced buns, all sweets and confectionery, clotted cream, crystallised fruits, squashes and cordials and syrups e.g. corn, golden and maple.

Practical Advice

Eat these foods in small amounts occasionally.

• Some of these foods, such as oils and spreads are typically eaten every day, so try to use them sparingly and look for lower fat alternatives where possible. 
• Other foods, such as cakes and biscuits should not be eaten too frequently, and again, try to choose lower fat versions where available.

Try to have food and drinks containing sugar as part of meals, rather than between meals.