Food-based dietary guidelines

Food-based dietary guidelines - Bolivia

Official name

Food-based dietary guidelines for the Bolivian population (Spanish: Guías alimentarias para la población Boliviana)

Publication year 

Bolivia published its current dietary guidelines in 2013.

Participating institutions

The guidelines were developed by a technical committee with representatives from the Ministry of Health and Sports, the National Association of Nutritionists and academia. The messages developed were validated at national level with the participation of nutritionists, medical doctors, nurses, professors, housewives and agronomists. The final guidelines were endorsed by the Food and Nutrition Unit of the Ministry of Health and Sports. 

Intended audience

The guidelines are aimed at the healthy general population over 2 years of age, with a focus on different age and physiological status groups:

  • school-aged children
  • adolescents
  • adults aged 20-59 years
  • pregnant and breastfeeding women
  • adults aged 60+ years 

Food guide

The Bolivian food guide is an arch which represents the grouping of foods by their nutritional value and the recommended proportions that should be consumed of each one according to age and physiological status. This is shown as maximum and minimum portions for each of the seven food groups. 

Messages

  1. Consume a varied diet daily, including foods from all groups, and increasing the quantity of vegetables and fruits. 
  2. Increase the consumption of milk and dairy products. 
  3. Consume animal source foods which are source of iron (meats and offal) at least 3 times per week. 
  4. Prefer vegetable oils and avoid animal source fats and reheated oils. 
  5. Always use iodized salt in foods, with moderation.
  6. Drink 6-8 glasses of water daily to complement meals.  
  7. Avoid the over consumption of sugar, sweets, sodas and alcoholic drinks. 
  8. Reduce the consumption of tea and coffee, replacing them with milk, fruit juices or "apis". 
  9. Practice physical activities every day for at least 30 minutes, including walking, sports and others.
  10. Wash your hands before preparing and eating foods.