Attn: Sally White (via email) editorial.theland@ruralpress.

com In response to: Gedgaudas primal diet (The Land, 1 November 2011) I read with concern your article on Nora Gedgaudas book Primal Body, Primal Mind, and believe it is important to share the latest nutrition science on the role of grain foods in a healthy diet with you and your readers. Core grain-based foods, including bread, breakfast cereal, crispbreads, rice and pasta make a significant contribution to Australian nutrient intakes and play a valuable role in healthy eating. A new national consumption study1 has found Australians are not meeting their recommended 4+ serves a day, despite the current Australian Dietary Guidelines recommending eat plenty of cereals (including breads, rice, pasta, and noodles), preferably wholegrain. Worryingly, consumption of grain foods by adults and children has significantly decreased by almost one serve 3.2 serves a day in 2011, compared to 4.1 serves in 2009. It is the misconceptions generated by articles such as Gedgaudas primal diet that are contributing to the decline in Australias consumption of grain foods. The latest national survey of Australian children's nutritional intake, Kids Eat, Kids Play2 published in 2008, shows that cereal and cereal products were one of the leading contributors to 10 key nutrients fibre, folate, niacin, thiamine, riboflavin, iron, zinc, magnesium, protein and carbohydrate, essential for energy, growth, brain function and immunity. In fact, two slices of bread contributes the majority of these nutrients, a far greater contribution to our diets than simply 6 teaspoons of glucose, as quoted by Ms Gedgaudas book. Go Grains, Australias leading independent voice for grain foods and legumes in health and nutrition, recommends Australians seek expert advice from an Accredited Practising Dietitian if they are considering cutting out an entire staple food group from their diet. The latest evidence indicates that Australians need to eat more, not less core grain foods including more wholegrain and high fibre foods, while limiting intake of non-core refined grain-based foods such as cakes, pastries, biscuits and takeaway foods. Yours sincerely, Robyn Murray Go Grains Health & Nutrition
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Project Go Grain, Colmar Brunton 2011 2007 Australian National Childrens Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey. Main Findings. Commonwealth of Australia 2008.