The Scottish Dietary Goals have been revised

In March 2016 the Scottish Government revised the Scottish Dietary Goals ^[1] to reflect updated recommendations on intakes of sugar and fibre from the independent Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) ^[2].

Set at a population level, the new goals indicate the extent of the dietary change needed to reduce the burden of obesity and diet-related disease in Scotland. They provide the basis of a healthy balanced diet which is essential to reduce diet related conditions such as obesity, type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and some cancers. The key messages include:

• Eat at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables per day
• Increase your fibre intake to 30g/day
• Increase oily fish consumption to one portion (140g) per person per week
• Reduce your calorie intake by 120kcal per person per day
• Eat less fat
• Eat about 70g of red and processed meat per person per day
• Sugar intake should not exceed 5% of total energy intake in adults and children over 2 years old
• Total carbohydrate intake should not exceed 50% of total dietary energy

References

1. http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0042/00421385.pdf
2. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/445503/SACN_Carbohydrates_and_Health.pdf

This article was originally published in the SCPN Newsletter Volume 7, Issue 2. Read the full issue here, or read the digital edition below (great full screen on mobiles).