AFGC supports Susie’s “Together Counts” online weight-management program
Former Australian Olympic swimmer Susie O’Neill yesterday launched ‘Together Counts’ – a program aimed at improving the health of Australians by getting their energy balance right with the help of a new online resource.
The Together Counts program, ran in conjunction with the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) and the Healthier Australia Commitment, has practical suggestions for meals, lunchbox ideas and physical activity tips for the whole family.
Ms O’Neill said that the idea of Together Counts is to set goals with family and friends so that Australians can encourage each other to be healthy and active.
“Achieving energy balance isn’t just about eating the ‘right’ food; it’s also about being active every day – it’s the energy ‘in’ versus energy ‘out’ equation,” Ms O’Neill said.
“Day-to-day energy balance is essential for healthy weight management, and I think this is possible for anybody, as long as they have access to the right tools and information,” she added.
The Together Counts program has been launched with a website that promotes ways for improving energy balance at schools, at home, and community initiatives that can also help with weight management.
Together Counts builds on the Healthier Australia Commitment pledge by major food companies to reduce a number of nutrients in foods (sodium, saturated fat and energy) from across their product portfolios by 2015.
Foundation members of the Together Counts program include Campbells, Arnotts, Sugar Australia, General Mills, Unilever, Lion, PepsiCo, Nestle, Coca-Cola South Pacific, Infant Nutrition Council and ESSA.
AFGC’s Chief Executive Officer Gary Dawson said he was delighted to have Susie O’Neill as Ambassador for Together Counts, as the next step in the Healthier Australia Commitment campaign.