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Summary of FBDG recommendations for eggs for the the EU, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom
Due care was taken to ensure factually correct information. Food groupings and food group names differ across individual FBDGs; the ones used here are a compromise to present the information in a structured way. Qualitative and quantitative recommendations and description of portion sizes are presented as in source documents without further harmonisation. The original country FBDGs and the responsible national public health authorities remain the only qualified points of reference.
Country | Quantitative recommendations | Qualitative recommendations | Portion size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belgium | Poultry, eggs or other meat substitutes: 1 to 3 times per week | - | - |
| Bulgaria | You can consume 1 egg a day, and people with high cholesterol - up to half a yolk a day | - | - |
| Czechia | - | - | - |
Country | Quantitative recommendations | Qualitative recommendations | Portion size |
| Denmark | For variation in your meals, eat eggs. About 3 eggs a week is adequate when eating a plant-rich and varied diet. | - | - |
| Germany | - | Eat eggs in moderation | 1 egg |
| Note: Included in the "animal products" group | |||
| Estonia | 3-4 portions fish, poultry, eggs, meat, and products made from them (0.5 eggs and egg products) | - | 1 boiled egg, 5 cooked quail eggs, 1 fried egg (55 g), 50 g omelette (~0.5-0.75 egg). 1 portion ≈ 80 kcal. |
Country | Quantitative recommendations | Qualitative recommendations | Portion size |
| Ireland | Eggs should be limited to no more than 7 per week | Eggs are a good choice for meat-free days | 2 eggs |
| Note: Included in "Meat, poultry, fish, eggs, beans and nuts" group | |||
| Greece | Up to 4 eggs/ week | Prefer boiled eggs or baked omelets instead of fried eggs | 1 egg |
| Spain | Up to 4 medium eggs weekly | - | One medium egg= 53-63 g |
| Notes: Pregnancy, lactation and anorexia associated with aging are conditions with high nutritional demand. Egg consumption is highly recommended in these stages of life for its high nutritional contribution and ease of consumption. | |||
Country | Quantitative recommendations | Qualitative recommendations | Portion size |
| France | - | - | 2 eggs |
| Notes: There is no scientific evidence to allow deriving an intake recommendation for eggs. They can be consumed to the extent that this consumption does not hinder the achievement of other consumption benchmarks. | |||
| Croatia | - | - | - |
| Note: Included in “protein group” together with meat, fish and legumes | |||
| Italy | 2-4 per week, distributed on different days | The quantitative recommendations include the eggs used for preparations (e.g. cakes, egg-pasta, etc.) | 1 medium egg |
Country | Quantitative recommendations | Qualitative recommendations | Portion size |
| Cyprus | Up to 3 eggs/ week | - | 1 egg |
| Note: Eggs are included in one group together with meat, fish, cheese, legumes, peanut butter, and tofu | |||
| Latvia | 2 to 3 servings per day of legumes, fish or lean meat, as well as eggs, nuts and seeds | No limitations regarding egg consumption | 2 eggs |
| Lithuania | - | - | - |
Country | Quantitative recommendations | Qualitative recommendations | Portion size |
| Luxembourg | -1-2 portions per day of meat, poultry, fish, eggs and other vegetarian alternatives such as pulses. | -Alternate between meat, poultry, fish, eggs and vegetarian alternatives. | 2 eggs |
| Hungary | - | - | 1 egg |
| Note: Included in "Meat/fish/eggs/milk and dairy products" group | |||
| Malta | 2-4 eggs per week | Choose fresh and local eggs | 1 egg |
Country | Quantitative recommendations | Qualitative recommendations | Portion size |
| Netherlands | - 1-3 yr: 1-2 eggs/ week - 4 yr and older: 2-3 eggs/ week | - | 1 egg: 50 g |
| Austria | Up to 3/ week | - | 1 egg |
| Note: Included in "Protein foods" group | |||
| Poland | - | Meat can also be replaced with eggs. | - |
Country | Quantitative recommendations | Qualitative recommendations | Portion size |
| Portugal | - | - | 1 egg |
| Note: Included in "Meat" group. | |||
| Romania | 4 per week | - | 1 egg |
| Slovenia | - | Replace meat by eating eggs | - |
Country | Quantitative recommendations | Qualitative recommendations | Portion size |
| Slovakia | - | - In moderation. - Choose a variety of proteins, which include fish, lower-fat meat and poultry, eggs, beans and peas, soy products and natural seeds and unsalted mixed nuts. | - |
| Finland | 2-3 per week | - | - |
| Sweden | - | Prefer chicken or egg, in various forms, to red and processed meat | - |
| Note: Included under red and processed meat | |||
Country | Quantitative recommendations | Qualitative recommendations | Portion size |
| United Kingdom | - | - | - |
| Note: Included in "Beans, pulses, fish, eggs, meat and other proteins" | |||
| Switzerland | - | - | 2-3 eggs |
| Note: Included in one group together with meat, fish, dairy products, and tofu | |||
| Iceland | - | It is possible to assemble a healthy diet without meat and then fish, eggs, dairy products, and beans add further on the nutritional value of the food | - |
| Note: We have a picture of a bread with boiled eggs on the meat page | |||
| Norway | - | - | - |
| Originally Published | Last Updated | 07 Dec 2020 | 17 Oct 2024 |
| Knowledge service | Metadata | Health Promotion Knowledge Gateway | Food-Based Dietary Guidelines in Europe |
| Digital Europa Thesaurus (DET) | health policy |