Illawarra nutritionist Renee Lintescu is changing the eating habits of Wollongong and Shellharbour residents one shopping trip at a time.
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To support Healthy Weight Week (February 16-22), Ms Lintescu’s first guided shopping tour of the year took place on Friday.
The Shop Right, Eat Right tour is just one element of her nutrition company Wellness Buddies, which is set on teaching people how to shop and eat healthy.
‘‘I am a real foodie and cook as well,’’ Ms Lintescu said.
‘‘With patients I was finding there was so much misleading information.
‘‘If I can get their basics right, get them to cook at home, and limit the processed foods, that in itself often has a profound effect on their health.’’
Shellharbour resident Margaret Lubrano suffers from high cholesterol and joined the tour to learn more about package labels.
‘‘There are so many brands now that everything is quite confusing ... often once you look into it, there are a lot of hidden sugars and fats’’, she said.
Sarah Jackson from Barrack Heights was also pleased she could now properly identify package labelling.
‘‘It has been very educational, I do read the labels but I learnt a lot more today then I actually knew. The fruit content and sugar in cereals really surprised me,’’ she said.
A dietician for 12 years, Ms Lintescu said the weakness for most Australians is processed food.
‘‘Fresh and simple meals can be quite easy, it all starts with organisation,’’ she said.
‘‘If you are stocking your fridge and pantry well, it usually just flows on from there.
‘‘People need to be aware of hidden sugars and processed fats, though I try to encourage the good fats, we can use them to our advantage.’’