Sustainable dietary recommendations for the Spanish population

Area of Science:

• Nutrition Science
• Environmental Sustainability
• Public Health

Background:

• The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development necessitates transforming food systems for health and sustainability.
• Existing dietary guidelines require updates to reflect current scientific evidence and environmental considerations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide comprehensive, current information on healthy and sustainable dietary patterns.
• To develop culturally adapted, food-based guidelines for the Spanish population and food system stakeholders.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of scientific evidence published since 2019 on food groups, chronic diseases, and mortality.
• Updating Spanish dietary guidelines based on new evidence and EAT-Lancet Commission recommendations.
• Adjusting food group servings considering Spanish dietary habits and food production.

Main Results:

• Recommends a minimum of 5 daily servings of fruits and vegetables (3 vegetables, 2-3 fruits).
• Prioritizes plant-based proteins (legumes, nuts), with specific weekly/daily serving recommendations.
• Suggests moderate consumption of fish, eggs, dairy, and lean meats, with olive oil recommended daily.

Conclusions:

• The proposed Sustainable Dietary Recommendations aim to enhance population health and well-being.
• These guidelines are designed to reduce the environmental impact of food consumption in Spain.