Creating a food guide can't be easy. You want to be as clear as possible, but you don't want to confront people with much information that it gets confusing. You want to be considerate of different cultures and socioeconomic groups, but you want to be clear and simple. You don't want to tell people what to do, but you do.
It's a little mindboggling.
Brazil just released the final version of its new food guide, which approaches the idea in a non-traditional way; by removing a lot of the specifics and focusing around a set of three "golden" rules and ten guidelines.
The reaction to the approach hasn't been all positive (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health-and-fitness/health-advisor/why-brazils-new-food-guide-leaves-me-hungry-for-more/article17681393/) but generally it's being well received. (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health-and-fitness/health/brazil-takes-an-unambiguous-new-approach-to-fighting-fat/article17496796/).
You can look at the guide and read more about it here: http://www.foodpolitics.com/2014/11/brazilian-dietary-guidelines-are-based-on-foods-food-patterns-and-meals-not-nutrients/
The three golden rules: • Avoid ultra-processed foods • Use sugar and salt in moderation • Make homemade meals the majority of your diet.
The ten guidelines: • Make natural or minimally processed foods the basis of your diet • Use oils, fats, salt, and sugar in small amounts when seasoning and cooking natural or minimally processed foods and to create culinary preparations • Limit consumption of processed foods • Avoid consumption of ultra-processed products • Eat regularly and carefully in appropriate environments and, whenever possible, in company • Shop in places that offer a variety of natural or minimally processed foods • Develop, exercise and share culinary skills • Plan your time to make food and eating important in your life • Out of home, prefer places that serve freshly made meals • Be wary of food advertising and marketing
Click here to take part in the conversation on Facebook.
Related Links Dietitians of Canada had a campaign in 2012 that emphasized the benefits of eating at home and eating together, especially with your children: http://www.dietitians.ca/Nutrition-Resources-A-Z/Factsheets/Toddlers-and-School-Age/Eat-Well-Play-Well-At-Home.aspx
