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  • Page | Last updated: 11 Apr 2025

Food-Based Dietary Guidelines - Guidance on lifestyle habits

Health Promotion Knowledge Gateway

Summary of FBDG guidance on lifestyle habits for 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. Differences such as those in number of portions and portion sizes were kept unaltered. The original country FBDGs and the responsible national public health authorities remain the only qualified points of reference.

Country

FBDG guidance on lifestyle habits

Belgium-
BulgariaEat regularly, 3-5 times a day; do not skip breakfast; have dinner no later than 2-3 hours before going to bed; take enough time to eat in a pleasant atmosphere. Avoid frequent intake of sugary foods and drinks between meals.
CzechiaEat a varied diet, divided into 3-5 daily meals, do not skip breakfast

Country

FBDG guidance on lifestyle habits

DenmarkEnjoying healthy meals with a lower climate foot print can offer pleasure and well-being while playing an important role in your social life.
GermanyEnjoy your meals. Take your time when eating and take a break. In addition, eating slowly and consciously promotes the feeling of satiation. Eating in company is beneficial.
EstoniaMost important keywords in diet: diversity, balance, moderation. Min. 1/2 plate should be vegetables. Prefer healthy cooking methods (stewing, boiling).

Country

FBDG guidance on lifestyle habits

IrelandGet active; alcohol advice and top tips for overweight adults to get to a healthy weight.
GreeceBe physically active everyday. Maintain a healthy weight.
SpainTake your time and eat calmly, if it can be in company, the better. Enjoy the food.

Country

FBDG guidance on lifestyle habits

FranceTake enough time to eat and enjoy meals.
Avoid nibbling and especially the consumption of fatty, salty, and sweet products outside the main meals.
In addition, the use of BIO products is a complementary element to the main consumption benchmarks, which are priority selection criteria: for example, for fruit and vegetables, the consumption benchmark is at least 5 per day whether they are organic or not; if they come from organic farming, it's a plus. A fatty and / or sweet product, even if organic, remains a fatty and / or sweet product.
Grilled products or those with strong browning (barbecue or toaster) should not be consumed regularly. In all cases it is better to remove the burnt parts in contact with the flame or browned too much.
Dietary supplements are not recommended outside medical prescriptions, especially in certain specific populations (pregnant women, infants, the elderly, people with chronic diseases, ...).
Restrictive diets are to be avoided without medical indications and, in any case, should be monitored by a health professional.
CroatiaAt the beginning of every day, no matter where you are, have breakfast. Eat regularly cooked and light meals for lunch, and have dinner modestly, two to three hours before going to bed. Choose snacks carefully, give priority to fresh fruits and vegetables, dried fruits, nuts and fermented milk products.
ItalyAvoid eating in front of the computer. Have breakfast every day. Avoid fasting for a long time.

Country

FBDG guidance on lifestyle habits

CyprusPay attention to cooking methods – preferably bake, steam or boil; only add small amounts of fat. Breakfast is the most important part of our daily diet. Lunch should be the main meal and the evening meal should be very light.
Always check the labelling of packaged food (dates, food processing and conservation methods, other specific instructions/indications).
LatviaPlan healthy meals and eat more often with your family, friends or other close people
LithuaniaEat regularly, 3-5 times a day. Take your time when eating. Eat in moderation.
Luxembourg
Skipping a meal may result in our body "catching up" at the next meal, and we are more likely to fall into the trap of snacking.
The time we spend on a meal is also important. Our brain needs around ten minutes to register that we are eating.

Country

FBDG guidance on lifestyle habits

HungaryEat 3-5 times a day. Choose low-fat cooking techniques and add as little salt, sugar, and fat as possible in your cooking. Think about the quantity and quality of food and drink you consume.
MaltaEat the traditional Mediterranean diet. Traditional Mediterranean dishes do not usually contain animal protein foods as the main ingredient.
Never drink and drive.
NetherlandsConsume less meat and more plant-based foods.
Improve your diet by only one small step at a time (we offer tools to support consumers).
Handle food safely and hygienically: buying, storing, preparing (five keys of safer food).
We offer practical guides to help consumers to recognize and deal with unhealthy food temptations.
AustriaUse low-fat modes of food preparation

Country

FBDG guidance on lifestyle habits

PolandEat regularly. Do not eat between meals. Eat more in the first part of the day. Do not eat at bedtime and at night.
PortugalKeep a healthy weight, follow these recommendations, and practice physical activity regularly in moderation.
RomaniaEnjoy the pleasure of eating

Country

FBDG guidance on lifestyle habits

SloveniaHave several (4-5) small meals, at approximately the same time every day. Eat at the table, without distractions such as watching TV, reading the newspaper, or browsing the phone.
SlovakiaSmaller food portions with combination of V, salad or fruit are better for health. Eat regularly 5 times a day: breakfast, morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack and dinner.
FinlandPrefer fibre-rich and low-salt products. Eat regularly. Read and learn to understand product labels.
SwedenMaintain a balance! Try to maintain energy balance by eating just the right amount. Reduce sedentary behavior.

Country

FBDG guidance on lifestyle habits

United KingdomBase your meals on starchy carbohydrates
Eat lots of fruit and vegetables
Eat more fish – including a portion of oily fish
Cut down on saturated fat and sugar
Eat less salt
Get active and be a healthy weight
Don't get thirsty
Don't skip breakfast
SwitzerlandMeals not only provide energy and nutrients, but are also times of enjoyment, relaxation and interaction with others. Take time to eat, enjoy in peace and without other activities. Meeting with others regularly for shared meals promotes enjoyment of eating and well-being. In addition to a balanced diet, a healthy lifestyle includes regular exercise, sufficient sleep and relaxation, and avoiding tobacco and excessive alcohol consumption.
IcelandHealthy and varied diet contributes to that the body gets the nutrients that it needs and promotes good health and wellbeing. It is important to eat a reasonable amount, and exercise regularly to balance the amount of energy. Physical activity also helps to maintain a healthy weight and contributes to both mental, physical and social health and wellbeing and prevents NCDs.
NorwayEating several times a day can make it easier to reach the daily recommended amounts of fruits, berries and vegetables, whole grains and milk and dairy products. 
It is important to be aware of the environment around the meal, whether you eat alone or together with others. Especially for children, it may be important that you gather for a shared meal and set aside enough time to eat.
A diet that includes whole or sliced fruit, berries, vegetables and potatoes, legumes, whole grains and fillets of fish or lean cuts of meat can make it easier to follow the dietary guidelines. Many people call this a whole food diet. By cooking meals from scratch you can make it easier to have a whole food diet.