Australian Women Balance Work and Family, But Not Health and Wellbeing

A recent survey conducted on almost 3,000 women for Mai’a Iced Coffee Straws showed women drink very little milk; are stressed out; exercise infrequently and experience frequent daytime energy slumps, relying on caffeine as a stimulant to combat low energy periods. However almost half the women surveyed think they drink too much coffee.

The consumption of coffee in Australia is rising with the Australian Bureau of Statistics estimating we each drink around 2.4kg per year.

Despite 1.2 billion cups of coffee per year purported to be served up by the food service industry[1], the majority of coffee is still consumed at home and work with 82 per cent of total coffee consumption being instant coffee.

While the Mai’a survey found 96.4 per cent of women (from 18 to 45) surveyed loved and regularly drank coffee, almost half (48.6 per cent) were actively trying to reduce the amount of coffee they consumed.

 

The Mai’a survey also revealed the state of women’s health and wellbeing: 

*        69 per cent of women said they don’t consume enough dairy (equivalent to three 250ml glasses of milk);

*        29 per cent said they often feel stressed and overwhelmed with life;

*        just under one fifth (19 per cent) of women said they rarely or never take five to 10 minutes time out per day;

*        31 per cent of women “hardly ever” do 30 minutes of exercise with just under five per cent taking daily exercise.

Kelly Baker, health, beauty and fitness expert said: “Australians love coffee and there is ample evidence that apart from tasting great, coffee acts as a stimulant, improving alertness, motivation, concentration and feelings of increased energy.

Too much caffeine, however, can cause dizziness and headaches; a greater feeling of fatigue after energy bursts; anxiety, stress and even heart palpitations[2], so it’s very important to get the caffeine balance right.

“Many health professionals recommend a daily intake of less than 250-300mg (three average cups of coffee) as a good level, said Baker, but while caffeine is not essential for general health and wellbeing, dairy is and the Mai’a survey showed just how little dairy Australian women are consuming”.

Low Milk intake and Milk Misconceptions

The latest Australian National Nutrition Survey reported more than 50 per cent of females had a daily calcium intake below RDI levels.

In the Mai’a survey 42.5 per cent of women said they drank no milk at all or less than a glass (250ml) per day. Forty-three per cent said they simply don’t get around to drinking milk, and 15 per cent still believe there are too many kilojoules and too much fat in milk.

“The fact is milk is neither high in kilojoules nor fat, said Baker. Women are missing out on a valuable source of protein, energy, calcium and many other nutrients in the mistaken belief that it contains too much fat or many calories, and that’s simply not true”.

The inventors of innovative new Mai’a Iced Coffee Straws think they have the solution to help coffee lovers reduce caffeine and increase milk intake:  Simply pop a Mai’a straw into a glass of cold milk (any type) and sip through for instant, low caffeine, low fat (only 1.4% fat with reduced fat milk), low sugar iced coffee.

Mai’a Iced Coffee Straws (in three flavours - Mocha, Espresso and Cappuccino) give all the coffee flavour and the impression of that craved-for caffeine hit, but only contain 20-30 mg of caffeine, approximately 20 per cent of a normal shot of coffee (café-style). They can therefore help reduce or control caffeine and increase dairy intake.

“Women really need to get a grip on their health and wellbeing, said Baker. We’re all so busy being successful business people and great parents, we’re neglecting our own health and wellbeing; drinking too much coffee; not drinking enough milk; feeling stressed and doing very little exercise!

“At least we can start to address the balance of milk and coffee, said Baker. Mai’a Iced Coffee Straws with skim or low fat milk are a low fat, low caffeine, kilojoule-controlled and simple way to control or reduce caffeine intake, consume more dairy, boost energy and take time out. Sadly though, they don’t exercise for you!”

 

MILK FACTS

• Regular milk contains on average[3] 271kj per 100 ml (677.5kj per 250ml glass); Reduced Fat Milk – 204 kj (510kjs per 250ml); low fat – 187 kj (467kjs per 250ml) and skim 144kj (250ml = 360kjs)
  
  
• Regular “full fat” milk - contains less than four per cent fat; Reduced Fat - contains less than two per cent fat; Low Fat has less than 1.5 per cent fat and Skim milk – is virtually fat free at 0.15 per cent fat