Government healthy eating recommendations: More fruit, veg & wholegrains!

It may not be the reminder that everyone wants to hear on the eve of a period of feasting, but Belgium’s health department has issued its latest report on healthy eating.

Aimed at encouraging the population to adopt a healthier diet, it includes 12 rules - and five priorities  - reinforcing the link between diet, good health and long life, reports consumer magazine Test achats/Test aankoop.

The public is advised to consume daily at least 125g of wholegrains, 250g of fruit, 300g of vegetables and 15-25g of nuts or grains (without a sugar or salt coating). At least once a week, meat should be replaced by vegetables and as a general rule, favour low-salt food.

Test achats/Test aankoop has also re-analysed Belgium’s Nutri-Score nutritional labelling system. Launched in Belgium in April 2019, it ranks foods from -15 for the healthiest products to +40 for the least healthy and is applied on a voluntary basis. Each product receives a letter with a corresponding colour code, from dark green (A) to dark red (F).

The consumer association initially analysed the Nutri-Score of 700 products and breakfast products in 2018. Its latest results showed that many items reported a higher score. “The proof that Nutri-Score also has the benefit of encouraging manufacturers to improve their recipes and make their efforts more visible,’ it said.

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