Ms Villella wants Ballarat women to have fun and feel inspired when it comes to healthy eating, rather than just looking to supplements. She is keen to show women delicious and nutritious meals can be cheap, simple and accessible in regional areas.

The Jean Hailes for Women’s Health naturopath will share her shopping trolley and recipe advice in the not-for-profit body’s Women’s Stuff forum in Ballarat on Wednesday night.

A strong appetite for women’s health has prompted organisers to seek a larger venue, moving to the Mercure Ballarat Hotel and Convention Centre to help meet demand.

Ms Villella said, from past forum experience, women were great at sharing advice with each other and disseminating information through the community. She hoped in keeping healthy food messages fun and easy, this would in turn reach a wider audience.

“The recipes don’t discriminate. We do make ingredients accessible and I’m conscious of rural and country women in this,” Ms Villella said.

“The nature of fads of the latest superfoods means there is a lot of misinformation about food. We can easily be seduced by the latest food. We hope to dispel some myths.”

Alternatives are important too. Prunes are one handy food Ms Villella suggests to add to your trolley for having the same benefits as blueberries, they are cheaper at this time of year, and a good source of fibre. Sardines can be a handy sub for fresh fish and Ms Villella has a sardine on toast recipe with basic ingredients that can moderate the fish taste.

Mindful eating, menopause, health checks and food and movement as medicine will be explored in partnership with Ballarat experts in the free Women’s Stuff event. 

Jean Hailes works on the latest evidence-based information. Women will have the chance to interact with industry specialists and connect to Ballarat services. 

BreastScreen Victoria will also be on site for information and mammogram bookings. Details: jeanhailes.org.au or Jean Hailes for Womens Health on Facebook.

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