---
title: "Brazil's New Sensible Food Guidelines"
date: 2014-02-20T05:38:45Z
modified: 2014-02-20T05:38:45Z
permalink: "https://elizabethyarnell.com/brazils-new-sensible-food-guidelines/"
type: post
status: publish
excerpt: ""
wpid: 3815
categories:
  - Recipes
tags:
  - Brasil
  - Brasilian food rules
  - Brazil
  - nutrition guidelines
author: Elizabeth
---

I’m just going to brazenly quote Marion Nestle from her blog “[Food Politics](http://www.foodpolitics.com/ "food politics blog by marion nestle")” about the [newest nutrition guidelines posted by the Brazilian government](http://www.foodpolitics.com/2014/02/brazils-new-dietary-guidelines-food-based/ "Brazilian nutrition guidelines") for the health of the country. Everything you are about to read comes directly from her blog post.

In case you don’t know who [Marion Nestle](http://www.foodpolitics.com/about/ "marion nestle") is, educate yourself as she is one of the most important voices of our time when it comes to government oversight of the food choices in this country.

I love these guidelines because they really reflect how people live and eat in Brazil. We could take a lesson or two from them.

[![Here I am in the Amazon rain forest in 1992 with my friend Jennifer.](http://elizabethyarnell.com/WP/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/lizJenAmazon0065-300x200.jpg)

](http://elizabethyarnell.com/WP/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/lizJenAmazon0065.jpg)Here I am in the Amazon rain forest in 1992 with my friend Jennifer during my first trip to Brazil.You can read the whole [document from the Brasilian health officials here](http://www.foodpolitics.com/wp-content/uploads/Brazils-Dietary-Guidelines_2014.pdf "Brazil's new dietary recommendations"), if you speak Portuguese. Lucky me, I kinda do. 🙂 If you ever have the opportunity to spend some time in Brazil, I highly recommend it.

Anyway, without further ado, here’s Marion’s summary of the new Brazilian dietary recommendations:

_Brazilian health officials designed the guidelines to help protect against undernutrition, which is already declining sharply in Brazil, but also to prevent the health consequences of overweight and obesity, which are sharply increasing in that country._

_The guidelines are remarkable in that they are based on foods that Brazilians of all social classes eat every day, and consider the social, cultural, economic and environmental implications of food choices._

_The guide’s three “golden rules:”_

- _Make foods and freshly prepared dishes and meals the basis of your diet._
- _Be sure oils, fats, sugar and salt are used in moderation in culinary preparations._
- _Limit the intake of ready-to-consume products and avoid those that are ultra-processed._

_The ten Brazilian guidelines:_

1. _Prepare meals from staple and fresh foods._
2. _Use oils, fats, sugar and salt in moderation._
3. _Limit consumption of ready-to-consume food and drink products_
4. _Eat regular meals, paying attention, and in appropriate environments._
5. _Eat in company whenever possible._
6. _Buy food at places that offer varieties of fresh foods. Avoid those that mainly sell products ready for consumption._
7. _Develop, practice, share and enjoy your skills in food preparation and cooking._
8. _Plan your time to give meals and eating proper time and space._
9. _When you eat out, choose restaurants that serve freshly made dishes and meals. Avoid fast food chains._
10. _Be critical of the commercial advertisement of food products._