Many countries provide dietary suggestions to follow based on nutrition needs, food availability and culture. Whether a country supports three guidelines or ten, there are similar recommendations shared throughout the world.

Variety

The most consistent nutrition message around the world is to eat a variety of foods. Japan even recommends eating 30 different foods daily.

Moderate Fat And Cholesterol

Most countries mention moderating fat intake. Nutrition researchers suggest that eating too much fat, saturated fat and cholesterol may lead to chronic diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes. Korea and India guidelines recommend keeping fat consumption at 20 percent of total kilojoules. The Netherlands guidelines suggest an average total fat intake of 30-35 percent of kilojoules. In the United States, the guideline is to consume a diet that is low in cholesterol and moderate in total fat.

Exercise

Some nations stress the importance of exercise in their dietary guidelines. The Korean guidelines suggest we maintain a balance between energy intake and expenditure, while the US advocates being physically active each day. Guidelines from the Philippines note that exercise should be done regularly, because "it’s good for you."

Enjoy Your Food!

Many countries realize that eating is more than just nutrition - we should enjoy our food. This is best illustrated by Ireland’s first dietary guideline - "Enjoy your food!" and Japan’s last guideline: "Happy eating makes for happy family life; sit down and eat together and talk; treasure family taste and home cooking."

While cultures and tastes vary from country to country, it is apparent that we share many common threads among dietary guidelines. Scroll below to find the specific guidelines for Korea, Canada, Ireland, India, the Philippines and the United States.

Countries

Korea

1. Eat a variety of foods.
2. Maintain your ideal body weight.
3. Eat sufficient amounts of protein.
4. Eat 20 percent of total energy intake from lipids (fat).
5. Drink milk every day.
6. Choose a diet low in salt.
7. Maintain the health of your teeth.
8. Restrict smoking and drinking of alcohol and caffeinated beverages.
9. Maintain a balance between energy intake and expenditure.
10. Enjoy homemade meals to be happy with families.

Canada

1. Enjoy a VARIETY of foods.
2. Emphasize cereals, breads, other grain products, vegetables and fruit.
3. Choose lower-fat dairy products, leaner meats and food prepared with little or no fat.
4. Achieve and maintain a healthy body weight by enjoying regular physical activity and healthy eating.
5. Limit salt, alcohol and caffeine.

Ireland

1. Enjoy your food!
2. Eat a variety of different foods, using the Food Pyramid as a guide.
3. Eat the right amount of food to be a healthy weight, and exercise regularly. Foods with a lot of fibre fill you up quickly, so you’ll be less likely to want high-fat foods. This will help you be a healthy weight.
4. Eat 4 or more portions of fruit and vegetables every day. Try and get into the habit of having at least one portion of fruit juice, fruit or vegetable at every meal.
5. Eat more foods rich in starch - breads, cereals, potatoes, pasta and rice. Aim to have at least 6 servings a day.
6. Eat plenty of foods rich in fibre - breads and cereals (especially whole grain) potatoes, pasta and rice; and fruit and vegetables.
7. Reduce the amount of fatty foods you eat, especially saturated fats. Make lower fat choices whenever possible. Grill, boil, oven bake, or stir-fry in very little fat instead of deep-frying. Try eating fewer foods from the top of the Food Pyramid.
8. If you drink alcohol, keep within sensible limits. Preferably, drink with meals and try to make every second day an alcohol free day.
9. Use a variety of seasonings; try not to always rely on salt to flavour foods. Use herbs, spices and black pepper as alternatives.
10. If you drink or eat snacks containing sugar, limit the number of times you take them throughout the day. This is particularly important for children’s growing teeth.

India

1. Overall energy intake should be restricted to levels commensurate to the sedentary occupations of the affluent, so obesity is avoided.
2. Highly refined and polished cereals should be avoided in preference to under-milled cereals.
3. Green leafy vegetables (a source not only of carotene but also of linolenic acid derivatives) should be included at least in levels recommended by ICMR (International Conference on Dietary Guidelines).
4. Edible fat intake need not exceed 40 grams and total fat intake should be limited to levels at which fat will provide no more than 20 percent of total energy. The use of ghee - clarified butter, a prized item in the Indian culinary system should be restricted for special occasions, and should not be a regular daily feature.
5. The intake of sugar and sweets should be restricted.
6. High salt intake should be avoided.

Philippines

1. Eat a variety of foods everyday. (Eat a balanced diet from a variety of foods; pay particular attention to your food needs during pregnancy and lactation; prepare meals for your children that are varied, complete, and adequate for their growth and development; support the elderly with a diet suitable to their conditions; choose ready-to-eat foods with high nutritional value).
2. Promote breastfeeding and proper weaning. (Learn about and promote the advantages and value of breastfeeding; learn the techniques of successful breastfeeding; breastfeed for as long as there is milk; start supplementary foods when the baby is 4-6 months old).
3. Achieve and maintain desirable body weight. (Weigh yourself and the members of your family regularly and behave accordingly; maintain energy balance to attain desirable body weight; exercise regularly - it is good for you).
4. Eat clean and safe food. (Learn to prevent food-born diseases; practice safe food storage, handling, preparation and service).
5. Practice a healthy lifestyle. (Be moderate in what you eat and drink; avoid smoking and control stress; maintain good dental health).

United States

1. Aim For Fitness ...
   - Aim for a healthy weight.
   - Be physically active each day.
2. Build a Healthy Base ...
   - Let the pyramid guide your food choices.
   - Choose a variety of grains daily, especially whole grains.
   - Choose a variety of fruits and vegetables daily. Keep food safe to eat.
3. Choose Sensibly ...
   - Choose a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol & moderate in total fat.
   - Choose beverages and foods to moderate your intake of sugars.
   - Choose and prepare foods made with less salt.
   - If you drink alcoholic beverages, do so in moderation.