Guías alimentarias basadas en alimentos

Food-based dietary guidelines - Thailand

Official name

Food-based dietary guidelines for Thai.

Food-based dietary guidelines for infants and young children in Thailand.

Publication year

The first food-based dietary guidelines for Thailand were developed in 1986. In 1998 a revised version was published.

The guidelines for infants and young children were published in 2010.

Process and stakeholders

The guidelines were formulated and mapped out by the Ministry of Health with the assistance of the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Agriculture, the Nutrition Institute, nutrition associations and universities. The FAO helped to have the guidelines published in English.

The guidelines are endorsed by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education.

Intended audience

The general guidelines are aimed at people 6 years and over and the ones for infants and children cover from birth to the fifth year (inclusive).

Food guide

The Thai food guide is a hanging flag, known as ‘the nutrition flag’. The four layers in the nutrition flag denote the type and amount of the food groups that are recommended for consumption. Recommendations are as follows: (i) eat rice, rice products, other grains and starchy food groups in abundance; (ii) eat plenty of vegetables and fruits; (iii) eat meat, legumes, eggs and milk appropriately; (iv) eat limited amounts of oil, sugar and salt.

Messages

  • Eat a variety of foods from each of the five food groups and maintain a proper weight.
  • Eat adequate amounts of rice or alternate carbohydrate sources.
  • Eat plenty of vegetables and fruits regularly.
  • Eat fish, lean meat, eggs, legumes and pulses regularly.
  • Drink in appropriate quality and quantity for one’s age.
  • Eat a diet containing appropriate amounts of fat.
  • Avoid sweet and salty foods.
  • Eat clean and safe foods.
  • Avoid or reduce the consumption of alcoholic beverages.