Official name

Food-based dietary guidelines for Belize.

Publication year

Belize launched its dietary guidelines in 2012.

Process and stakeholders

The guidelines were developed by an interdisciplinary working group led by the Ministry of Health and involving the Ministry of Education and Youth, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Bureau of Standards and the University of Belize. The country received support and technical assistance from the FAO, the Institute of Nutrition of Central America and Panama, the Caribbean Food and Nutrition Institute and the Pan American Health Organization. The guidelines are endorsed by the Ministry of Health.

Intended audience

The guidelines are directed at the healthy population over 2 years of age.

Food guide

The food guide chosen is a basket filled with seven food groups (staples, vegetables, fruits, legumes, foods from animals, fats and oils, sugars and sweeteners) in the recommended proportion for a healthy diet. Images of people doing physical activity adorn the basket handle.

Messages

• Choose different types of foods from all the food groups daily.
• Eat more of different types of local fruits daily.
• Eat more vegetables daily. Choose different types.
• Choose to eat wholegrain and ground foods more frequently.
• Limit your intake of fats, sugar and salt.
• Use natural seasonings in food preparation and cooking.
• Practice good hygiene when buying, storing, preparing and cooking foods.
• Keep active. Make physical activity a part of your daily routine.