Revised food-based dietary guidelines

-Automatic translation

The new Icelandic food-based dietary guidelines were formulated by an advisory group, based on the best scientific knowledge related to the connection between diet and health, whilst also considering the Icelandic people's dietary habits. The guidelines were initially published in Iceland in 1986 and have since undergone four revisions. Each revision builds upon the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations, where a team of experts systematically reviews research on nutrition and health.

The public needs access to reliable information about diet, since dietary habits significantly affects our health. Following the food-based dietary guidelines helps ensure that the body receives the necessary nutrients, thus promoting good health and well-being.

The new guidelines emphasize even more vegetables, fruits, and whole grain consumption than before. Additionally, the new guidelines include measures regarding energy drinks among the youth, which were not prevalent when the guidelines were last updated in 2014. The Directorate‘s recommendations in this regard are clear: energy drinks are not intended for children and young people under 18 years of age. The maximum amount of red meat per week is now recommended to be lower than before, with emphasis on limiting the consumption of processed meat products (such as hot dogs, bacon, and others), all of which are associated with an increased cancer risk. It is also wise to limit the consumption of foods high in fat, salt, and sugar, and to avoid alcohol due to its association of increased risk of cancer.

The new guidelines focus on the following:

• Enjoy a varied diet with a focus on plant-based diet

• Choose vegetables, fruits and berries often a day

• Choose whole grains, preferably three portions a day

• Choose fish, beans, and lentils more often than red meat; limit the consumption of processed meat

• Choose unsweetened and low-fat dairy products daily

• Choose diverse and healthier sources of fat

• Limiting the consumption of sweets, snacks, cakes, biscuits and sweet drinks

• Reduce the salt

• Choose water over other drinks

• Avoid alcohol – no safe limits exist

• Take vitamin D daily as a supplement

Jóhanna Eyrún Torfadóttir og Hólmfríður Þorgeirsdóttir
Project Managers, Nutrition