What is the difference between the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating and the Australian Dietary Guidelines?

January 9, 2026 •

3 min read

According to the latest national health data, a significant portion of Australians do not consume the recommended daily serves of vegetables, a trend more pronounced among adolescents. This gap between recommended and actual eating habits makes understanding national nutrition advice critical, yet many are unsure of the relationship between the Australian Dietary Guidelines and the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating.

Quick Summary

The Australian Dietary Guidelines represent the comprehensive, evidence-based policy framework, while the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating functions as a simplified, visual tool for public use based on those guidelines.

Key Points

Policy vs. Practical Tool: The ADG is the comprehensive scientific policy document, whereas the AGHE is the simplified visual guide for consumers.
Audience Focus: The ADG targets health professionals and policymakers, while the AGHE is designed specifically for the general Australian public.
Depth of Information: ADG contains detailed, evidence-based recommendations on dietary patterns, physical activity, and food safety, while AGHE illustrates the proportion of five core food groups.
Format and Presentation: The ADG is a text-heavy document consisting of five core guidelines, whereas the AGHE uses a colourful plate graphic for easy understanding.
Serving Sizes: The AGHE provides specific examples and details on standard serving sizes for the five food groups, translating the broader advice from the ADG.
Relationship: The AGHE is a companion resource developed to help Australians understand and implement the recommendations set out in the ADG.

The Scientific Foundation vs. The Consumer Tool

Australia's national nutrition advice is guided by two main resources: the Australian Dietary Guidelines (ADG) and the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating (AGHE). While related, they serve different purposes and audiences. The AGHE acts as a practical companion resource, translating the complex, scientific advice of the ADG into an accessible format for the public. Both are developed and reviewed by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).

The Australian Dietary Guidelines (ADG)

The ADG is the comprehensive, evidence-based policy document that provides the scientific foundation for healthy eating recommendations. Its primary audience includes health professionals, policymakers, and educators. The ADG aims to promote health, reduce the risk of diet-related conditions like obesity, and decrease the risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

For more details on the 2013 ADG, including its five key guidelines, see {Link: Eat For Health website https://www.eatforhealth.gov.au/sites/default/files/2022-09/n55a_australian_dietary_guidelines_summary_131014_1.pdf}.

The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating (AGHE)

Conversely, the AGHE is a simplified, visual guide intended for the general public. It is a practical application of the ADG's recommendations, using a 'plate' graphic to show the approximate daily proportions of the five food groups. The AGHE is designed for quick understanding and ease of use in daily meal planning.

The five food groups are:

Vegetables and legumes/beans
Fruit
Grain (cereal) foods, mostly wholegrain and high fibre
Lean meats and poultry, fish, eggs, tofu, nuts and seeds, and legumes/beans
Milk, yoghurt, cheese, and alternatives, mostly reduced fat

The plate graphic suggests that vegetables should be the largest portion, followed by grains, with smaller portions of meat and dairy. It also reminds people to drink water and limit discretionary foods. For more information, visit the {Link: Eat For Health website https://www.eatforhealth.gov.au/guidelines/australian-guide-healthy-eating}.

Comparison Table: ADG vs. AGHE


Aspect	Australian Dietary Guidelines (ADG)	Australian Guide to Healthy Eating (AGHE)
Purpose	Comprehensive, evidence-based policy and educational document.	Practical, visual guide for consumer food selection.
Audience	Health professionals, educators, policymakers, and researchers.	The general Australian public, including school-aged children.
Format	Detailed text and evidence statements, five core guidelines.	'Plate' graphic illustrating the five core food groups and their proportions.
Content	Broad recommendations on health, diet, physical activity, and food safety.	Focuses specifically on food group proportions for daily intake.
Detail Level	Highly detailed, includes rationale for recommendations and serving sizes.	High-level overview, with companion resources for more detail on serves.
Relationship	The scientific foundation upon which the AGHE is based.	The simplified, visual interpretation of the ADG's core principles.

Why Both Resources are Essential

The ADG provides the 'why' with scientific backing, while the AGHE offers the 'what' and 'how' in an easy-to-understand format. This combined approach ensures that both detailed scientific reasoning for professionals and simple, practical tools for the public are available. The ADG supports public health policy and healthcare counselling. The AGHE empowers the public to apply these recommendations easily. The synergy between these resources is crucial for improving national nutrition.

How to Use Both Resources for Better Health

Start with the AGHE's plate graphic for a quick understanding of balanced meals. For specific details like serving sizes for different ages or advice on discretionary foods, consult the ADG and its related resources on the official Eat For Health website. Using both resources together provides a powerful mix of practical advice and comprehensive knowledge for making informed dietary choices.

Conclusion

The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating and the Australian Dietary Guidelines differ in their purpose and target audience, but are consistent in their core message. The ADG is the detailed scientific policy, while the AGHE is the practical visual tool for the public. Both are vital for promoting healthy eating in Australia, providing both the evidence and the simple guidance needed to improve national health and help Australians make better dietary choices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Both the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating and the Australian Dietary Guidelines were developed by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), a leading government body for health research.

For most everyday meal planning and food selection, the visual Australian Guide to Healthy Eating is the most practical tool. It is designed to be a quick reference for consumers.

Yes, while the AGHE focuses on the five core food groups, the ADG explicitly details the need to limit discretionary foods high in saturated fat, added salt, and added sugars.

The most recent versions were released in 2013. The NHMRC initiated a review in 2020, with updated guidelines scheduled for delivery in 2026, though the 2013 versions remain the current official advice.

The guidelines are designed for most healthy Australians. They do not apply to people with specific medical conditions or the frail elderly, who may require specialised dietary advice.

The five main food groups are vegetables/legumes, fruit, grain foods, lean meats/alternatives (including nuts and seeds), and milk/yoghurt/cheese/alternatives.

No, the Healthy Eating Pyramid is a separate, although similar, food selection guide developed by Nutrition Australia based on the 2013 Australian Dietary Guidelines.