Towards more balanced dietary guidelines: connecting climate, culture, and nutrition

The transformation of food systems has emerged as a critical component of global climate action, with food-based dietary guidelines (FBDGs) increasingly recognised as a key policy tool to promote both public health and environmental sustainability. However, despite their importance, many national FBDGs fail to integrate sustainability considerations or adequately support diverse plant-based dietary patterns.

This review proposes a socioecological framework for enhancing the inclusivity and adaptability of FBDGs, enabling them to better reflect evolving food systems and consumer behaviours while strengthening their role in promoting sustainable and health-conscious diets.

Five key gaps in current FBDGs worldwide were identified: (1) the need for more inclusive food-group classifications that accommodate plant-based protein sources; (2) clearer recommendations for limiting the consumption of animal-sourced foods (ASF) for health and environmental reasons; (3) guidance on obtaining essential macro- and micronutrients from plant-based sources; (4) the inclusion of plant-based alternatives to ASF within dietary recommendations; and (5) comprehensive advice on well-planned vegetarian and vegan diets.

Addressing these gaps is crucial to ensuring that FBDGs remain relevant to a broad spectrum of dietary preferences, including those motivated by ecological, ethical, religious, and cultural factors.