Kiwis’ diet confusion could be killing our gut bacteria

Kiwis’ diet confusion could be killing our gut bacteria

The number ONE reason why Kiwis have been on a food eliminating diet, is to look after their health – yet unnecessary avoidance could be having the opposite effect on your gut health when it comes to grains

Auckland, New Zealand, 19 April 2018: From Paleo to the high-fat Keto, today Kiwis are constantly inundated with promises of better health and wellbeing through extreme clean diets, or the latest ‘superfoods’ and supplements, leaving many of us scratching our heads when it comes to what’s actually good for us.

With so much conflicting information out there about what we should and shouldn’t be eating, it’s no wonder that nearly half of all New Zealanders (46%) feel more confused than ever when it comes to what foods are truly ‘healthy’.

When it comes to our dieting habits, while 59 per cent of New Zealanders have been on a regime that eliminates an entire food group, almost all of us (80%) admit to not being diagnosed with a need to do so. Furthermore, 64% of New Zealanders who have been on a gluten free diet, admit that they were not diagnosed with an intolerance[1].

With this in mind, it’s no wonder Kiwi’s fibre intakes are at crisis levels, with Kiwi adults falling short of adequate dietary fibre daily intake by around 7g per day on average.[2]

This fibre inadequacy could be having a major impact on the nation’s gut health, with fibre and especially grain fibre being an essential food source for the good bacteria living in our gut[3] - yet less than half of us (43%) are aware of this fact.[4]

Hannah Eriksen, from the Nutrition Foundation said, “Fibre is the only thing we eat that makes it all the way in to the gut still intact. It gives the gut bacteria something to do - they go to work, breaking it down and producing compounds that keep us healthy.

“Grain fibre, like what’s in breakfast cereal, acts as a food source for the gut, it helps good bacteria like Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus to survive and thrive. That means a healthier gut”.

To help educate Kiwis on the importance of grain fibre to support good gut health, Kellogg’s is excited to launch New Zealand’s first ever Gut Bacteria Zoo, in partnership with Whoa! Studios. The interactive exhibition gives families a chance to get up-close-and-personal with a few of the good bacteria living in their gut via animatronic versions of Bifido (Bifidobacteria), Lacto (Lactobacillus) and Strepto (Streptococcus) - created by one of the world’s leading animatronic engineers.

As well as learning about the ‘heroes in their gut’, visitors will also learn about the ‘bacteria baddies’ via microscopes and educational text around the exhibition.

Ben O’Brien, Kellogg’s Country Manager New Zealand, said, “Through the Kellogg’s Gut Bacteria Zoo, families who visit will get the chance to learn more about these elusive, friendly creatures that live within our stomachs and how we can help take care of them, so that they can thrive.”

“With fibre, and especially grain fibre, a key food source for our gut bacteria, breakfast cereals are actually a great place to start. We have 19 different cereals that are either a ‘source of’ or ‘high in’ grain fibre – so there is plenty of choice to help support your gut health.”

As part of the Gut Bacteria Zoo, Kellogg’s have worked closely with the teams at Whoa! Studios and its on-site restaurant The Grounds, to highlight the importance of achieving good gut bacteria balance.

Candace Borchert, Marketing Director at Whoa! Studios, says, "We base the Whoa! experience on three key themes; healthy play and entertainment, healthy food, and healthy communities. Partnering with Kellogg's to bring the Gut Bacteria Zoo to Auckland is a great opportunity for us to help support parents to educate their families in making healthy family eating decisions. We're excited to have this visual experience to educate children and families on how to have a happy tummy with a good diet and lots of fibre."

The Kellogg’s Gut Bacteria Zoo will be live at Whoa! Studios in Henderson from Thursday 19th until Sunday 22nd April during the school holidays – make sure you head in to learn more about the incredible world of the gut microbiome.

[1] Kellogg’s Fibre Poll Report, Edelman Intelligence (April 2018)

[1] Healthcare and Productivity Savings from Increased Intake of Grain Fibre in New Zealand, Nutrition Research Australia (2018)

[1] Fibre from grains promotes the growth of bifidobacteria and lactobaccillius, which supports a positive change in the intestinal microbiota, as part of a healthy and varied diet

[1] Kellogg’s Fibre Poll Report, Edelman Intelligence (April 2018)

Kellogg’s Gut Bacteria Zoo Event Details:
Thursday 19thth – Sunday 22nd April 2018, from 9:00am – 4:00pm
Whoa! Studios, 8/14 Henderson Valley Road, Henderson

Social:

• Facebook: @KelloggsNZ

• Twitter: @Kelloggs_ANZ

• #KelloggsFibreFit

• #GrainFibre

About Kellogg Company
Since 1924, Kellogg’s has been driven to enrich and delight consumers through foods and brands that matter. Kellogg is the world’s leading cereal company and our brands – Kellogg’s®, Kellogg’s Corn Flakes®, Rice Bubbles®, Nutri-Grain®, Special K®, All-Bran®, Sultana Bran®, Coco Pops®, Pringles® and more – are welcomed into homes, nourishing families so they can flourish and thrive. To learn more about our corporate responsibility initiatives and our work to support local communities across Australia and New Zealand, visit www.kelloggs.co.nz/en_NZ/our-story.html

[1] Kellogg’s Fibre Poll Report, Edelman Intelligence (April 2018)

[2] Healthcare and Productivity Savings from Increased Intake of Grain Fibre in New Zealand, Nutrition Research Australia (2018)

[3] Fibre from grains promotes the growth of bifidobacteria and lactobaccillius, which supports a positive change in the intestinal microbiota, as part of a healthy and varied diet

[4] Kellogg’s Fibre Poll Report, Edelman Intelligence (April 2018)

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