Over the last couple of months I have been using the “Health Star Rating” while doing my weekly grocery shop. If you haven’t read my other two blogs on the Health Star Rating system you can find them here.

In this blog I want to give you an overview of how it has helped me and give my overall opinion on the government initiative plus a quick and easy lunch or dinner recipe.

OK, so how have Health Stars helped me?

• As a work at home Mum all parts of my life seem to cross over. I’ll be trying to eat lunch, feeding Millie, trying to do house work and work from my laptop on the dining room table all at once so I need to ensure what I am preparing at meal times is quick, easy but still healthy. Using the Health Stars when buying my packaged food has allowed me to simply look at the front of package to know what I’m grabbing is healthy just by choosing the product with the most stars. I can then go home and if I don’t have a lot of time on my hands combine my packaged foods with fresh produce to get a quick, healthy meal.

•  My daughter is a handful when we are at the supermarket, every grocery shop ends with a massive tantrum so my goal when going is to get in and out as quick (and as pain free) as possible. Now that I use the Health Star Rating it cuts down my need to continually stop and read food labels to compare each brand of a certain food group. I can simply grab the one with the most stars that suits my lifestyle and budget and be on my way. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying it stops the tantrums all together (this morning there was a mega meltdown over a shiny Easter bunny egg I wouldn’t let her have) but it does save time and to me that’s a win!

So, what’s my overall opinion?

Before using the Health Star Rating system I didn’t really have an understanding of how it actually worked. After reading info on their website I now have an appreciation and understanding of what they are trying to achieve. What I have taken away is that the Health Star Rating system is not about saying packaged foods are better than fresh produce but it is there to provide a quick and easy comparison of different products in the same food group (comparing packaged dairy items to other packaged dairy items or the same for cereals or canned vegetables) to give you a more informed choice when you are shopping for you and your family. 

In my opinion I believe it is an excellent idea and one that can help us all to make better, healthier choices in the supermarket. I personally would love to see it on all products on our shelves. What have they got to hide by not taking part?

Thanks to the Health Star Rating system for having me on board to try the system and be able to share my opinions with my community.

For more info on Health Stars head to their website and don’t forget to look out for the stars on the front of packs in the supermarket next time you’re there.

Below is a simple, quick and healthy meal idea using the Health Star Rating.

CHICKEN NOURISH BOWL:

Serves 2

Ingredients:

250g chicken breast (I used peri peri seasoned but you could season your own) – 4.5 STARS

250g brown rice & quinoa – 4 STARS

Small can of Corn Kernels – 4 STARS

Four Bean Mix – 5 STARS

Superfood leaf blend – 5 STARS

6-8 cherry tomatoes – chopped

1 bunch broccolini – chopped

1 small zucchini – chopped

½ Avocado – mashed

1 teaspoon coconut oil

½ lime for dressing

Directions:

1. In a non-stick fry pan cook chicken.

2. In non-stick fry pan cook corn, broccolini and zucchini with a small teaspoon of coconut oil

3. Drain and rinse bean mix

4. Microwave rice/quinoa mix (or cook your own if time permits)

5. In a bowl place superfood leaf mix and top with all ingredients. Squeeze lime over top!

6. Too easy, ENJOY!