What meals can be considered discretionary choices?

December 19, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the Australian Dietary Guidelines, discretionary foods can make up a significant portion of many people's daily energy intake, often displacing more nutritious foods. So, what meals can be considered discretionary choices, and how can you navigate these options for better health?

Quick Summary

Discretionary choices are meals and snacks that are not essential for meeting daily nutrient requirements. These foods are typically high in added sugars, saturated fats, and salt, including items like fast food, sweet desserts, and processed snacks. Limiting these foods is key for maintaining a healthy weight and reducing the risk of chronic diseases.

Key Points

Definition: Discretionary meals are foods and drinks not required for a healthy diet, typically high in saturated fat, added sugar, and salt.
Examples: Common discretionary choices include fast food, sweet desserts, salty snacks, processed meats, sugary drinks, and alcohol.
Health Impact: Overconsumption can lead to weight gain and increase the risk of chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Everyday vs. Discretionary: Everyday meals provide essential nutrients and energy, while discretionary choices are energy-dense with low nutritional value.
Moderation is Key: Discretionary meals can be enjoyed in small amounts occasionally by those with a healthy weight and active lifestyle.
Healthier Alternatives: Swapping discretionary items for nutrient-rich foods from the five food groups is recommended for better health.
Practical Strategies: Limiting portion sizes, mindful eating, and cooking at home can help manage your intake of discretionary foods.

What are discretionary choices?

Discretionary choices, often called 'sometimes foods,' are foods and drinks that do not form a necessary part of a balanced, healthy diet. They are generally high in energy (kilojoules) but low in essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and fiber. National health bodies, such as the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, advise consuming these items only sometimes and in small amounts. Overconsumption of these foods is linked to an increased risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and some forms of cancer.

The core characteristics of discretionary meals

Discretionary meals share several common characteristics that set them apart from everyday, nutritious meals:

High in Saturated Fat: Many discretionary meals, such as commercially fried foods and certain processed meats, contain high levels of saturated fat.
High in Added Sugars: Foods like sweetened desserts, cakes, and sugary drinks fall into this category due to their high added sugar content.
High in Added Salt: Takeaway foods, salty snacks, and processed sausages are often loaded with added salt.
Low in Nutrients: Unlike whole foods, these choices offer little to no nutritional value beyond their energy content.

The impact of discretionary meals on health

Regularly choosing discretionary meals can lead to several negative health outcomes. They often replace more nutrient-dense options in the diet, meaning your body misses out on crucial vitamins and minerals needed for optimal health. Their high energy content can lead to weight gain, and the excess intake of saturated fat, sugar, and salt can contribute to serious chronic health conditions. While they can be enjoyed occasionally, moderation is crucial for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Examples of discretionary choices

Discretionary choices can be found across various food types, from main meals to snacks and beverages. Here is a breakdown of common examples:

Fast Food and Takeaway:

Commercial burgers with high fat and salt content.
Commercially fried foods like hot chips and fried chicken.
Pizzas, especially those with processed meat toppings.

Sweet Treats and Desserts:

Cakes, sweet biscuits, and pastries.
Ice cream and other ice confections.
Confectionery and chocolate.

Salty Snacks:

Potato chips, crisps, and other high-fat, high-salt snack foods.
Savoury pastries and pies.
Some types of savoury biscuits.

Processed Meats:

Salty sausages and processed deli meats.

Sugar-Sweetened Beverages:

Soft drinks and cordials.
Energy drinks and sports drinks.

Alcoholic Beverages:

All alcoholic drinks are considered discretionary.

Comparison: Everyday vs. Discretionary Meals


Feature	Everyday Meal	Discretionary Meal
Nutrient Density	High (rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber)	Low (often 'empty calories')
Energy Content	Balanced for sustained energy	High in kilojoules/calories
Saturated Fat	Low to moderate	High
Added Sugars	Low (natural sugars in whole foods)	High
Added Salt	Low	High
Primary Purpose	Provide essential nutrients and energy	Provide enjoyment, variety, or social indulgence
Frequency	Recommended daily consumption	Recommended occasional consumption

Making healthier choices

Reducing your intake of discretionary meals doesn't mean you have to eliminate them entirely. The goal is balance. Here are some strategies for incorporating healthier choices:

Plan your meals ahead of time. By planning your meals and snacks, you can reduce the likelihood of making impulsive, less-healthy discretionary choices.
Cook at home more often. Preparing meals from fresh, whole ingredients allows you to control the amount of fat, salt, and sugar in your food.
Mindful eating. Pay attention to hunger cues and eat slowly. This can help you feel more satisfied and less likely to overconsume.
Practice portion control. When you do choose to have a discretionary meal, limit your portion size.
Swap for healthier alternatives. Replace sugary drinks with water, and opt for fruits instead of sweet treats.
Read food labels. This helps you identify products high in saturated fats, added sugars, and salt.

For more detailed information on healthy eating guidelines, consider exploring official resources such as those provided by Eat For Health.

Conclusion

Discretionary choices are meals and foods high in saturated fat, added sugars, and added salt, offering little nutritional benefit. They are not essential for a healthy diet and should be consumed only occasionally and in moderation. By understanding what constitutes a discretionary meal and implementing practical strategies like mindful eating, meal planning, and healthier swaps, you can maintain a balanced and enjoyable diet. The key lies in prioritizing nutrient-rich, everyday foods while making intentional, infrequent, and small allowances for discretionary items to support long-term health and wellbeing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everyday foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins, provide essential nutrients for health. Discretionary foods, conversely, are not essential and are high in saturated fat, added sugars, and/or salt, offering little nutritional benefit.

Not all restaurant meals are discretionary. Many restaurants offer healthy, nutritious meals. However, commercially prepared fast food, fried foods, and large, calorie-dense restaurant portions are often high in fat, salt, and sugar and fall into the discretionary category.

While it's not strictly forbidden, individuals aiming for weight loss should minimize discretionary foods, as they are high in kilojoules and low in nutrients, making it harder to stay within lower calorie targets.

In Australia, a standard serve of a discretionary food is typically defined as an amount containing approximately 600 kilojoules (about 140 calories). You can check nutrition labels to determine the portion size for specific products.

You can reduce your intake by planning meals, cooking more at home, practicing mindful eating, limiting portion sizes, and swapping treats for healthier alternatives like fruits or unsalted nuts.

Yes, all alcoholic beverages are considered discretionary choices. They provide high energy (kilojoules) but offer minimal nutritional value and should be limited.

The core definition remains consistent across various health guidelines, referring to foods high in energy, fats, sugars, and salt. However, specific examples and serving sizes might vary slightly based on different national dietary guidelines.