Recommandations alimentaires

Food-based dietary guidelines - El Salvador

Official name

Dietary guidelines for Salvadorian families (Spanish: Guías alimentarias para las familias salvadoreñas).

Publication year

El Salvador launched its first food-based dietary guidelines in 2001. A revised version was published in 2012.

Process and stakeholders

The dietary guidelines were developed by the National Dietary Guidelines Committee, which was comprised of several government ministries, universities and the Institute of Nutrition of Central America and Panama.
They are endorsed by the Ministry of Health.

Intended audience

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

Food guide

El Salvador does not use a food guide.

Messages

  • Prepare varied meals using natural foods every day
  • Eat at least three servings of vegetables and two servings of fruit every day.
  • Include in your daily diet at least one of the following foods: milk, cheese, curd, cottage cheese or eggs.
  • Eat poultry, fish, beef, offal or giblets at least twice a week.
  • When cooking, use vegetable oil in small amounts and avoid the use of cooking fat and margarine.
  • Season foods with herbs and natural spices instead of using condiments, artificial seasonings and highly processed sauces.
  • Avoid eating sugary foods and drinks, chips, sausages, sweets, highly processed foods and canned foods.
  • Drink at least 6–8 glasses of water every day.
  • Be physically active for at least 30 minutes a day.