New dietary advice bans cold meats and alcohol

Charcuterie, ultra-processed food, soft drinks, alcohol and added sugars are to be avoided according to new dietary recommendations with which the High Health Council wants to help Belgians make healthy food choices.

Less red meat

Seventeen concrete dietary recommendations are published by the High Health Council in a press release this morning. Among them some familiar recommendations: prefer wholemeal products, eat more legumes, nuts, fruit and vegetables, limit salt, avoid sugary drinks, drink more water… But some other warnings sound more radical than before.

The health council, for instance, asks people not to eat more than 300 grams of unprocessed red meat such as steak or pork tenderloin per week. Consumption of cold meats should be limited to 30 grams per week. Moreover, the council also advises to drink no alcohol and limit consumption of ultra-processed foods.

“Worrying”

The new recommendations are scientifically based, tailored to Belgian eating culture and easy to apply, says the High Health Council, but in practice they are far removed from the daily eating habits of most people. After all, previous research by health institute Sciensano shows that barely 7% of adults eat enough vegetables, 10% enough fruit and 12% enough legumes. 91% exceed the recommended limit for charcuterie.

“The consumption of processed red meat or charcuterie is worrying, and the consumption of alcohol and soft drinks should also be greatly reduced,” researcher Isabelle Moyersoen told VRT. One notable piece of advice seems clearly though in line with Belgian dietary habits: “Eat potatoes or sweet potatoes regularly.” But with this addition: “Preferably choose boiled or baked rather than fried products.”