Sweden’s New Dietary Guidelines: A Step Towards Healthier and Greener Eating

Sweden has released updated dietary guidelines through Livsmedelsverket, with a strong emphasis on promoting healthier, more sustainable eating habits.

We welcome this step forward and recognise several progressive elements worth celebrating, along with a few areas that offer room for further improvement.

The revised Swedish food pyramid created by the National Food Agency (Livsmedelsverket)

What We Welcome:

• Clear limits on foods high in fat, sugar, and salt: The updated guidelines recommend limiting these foods, along with processed meats and alcohol. They are placed at the top of the new food pyramid to reflect that they are not necessary for maintaining a healthy diet.

• Reduced red meat recommendation: The weekly intake suggestion has been lowered from 500g to 350g—an encouraging shift, though still conservative compared to other European guidelines.

• Legumes promoted as a daily staple: A standout feature is the inclusion of legumes within the protein group, positioning them alongside meat and promoting daily consumption.

• Plant-based milks included: Fortified plant-based milks are now recognised as nutritionally equivalent to dairy and are visibly marked in the pyramid with a green label.

• Diverse sources of calcium: The guidelines highlight plant-based calcium sources such as leafy greens, which is an important step for inclusivity.

• Positive framing of meat alternatives: The benefits of plant-based meat substitutes are acknowledged, though clearer guidance on portion sizes would be helpful.

• Nuts, seeds, and produce encouraged: Recommendations to consume 500g of fruits, vegetables, and berries daily, along with nuts and seeds, are particularly welcome.

• Environmental impacts included: Sustainability considerations are now integrated into the guidance—an essential inclusion in the context of planetary health.

Where There’s Room to Grow:

• While progress has been made on meat reduction, further clarity is needed on portion terminology (cooked vs. raw), and stronger reductions would better align with climate targets.

• Guidance for vegans and vegetarians is minimal, offering only basic tips without more robust support for those actively reducing or excluding animal-source foods.

• Plant-based meat alternatives, though mentioned positively, are not yet included in the pyramid or discussed in practical terms.

For more details or to explore the full set of recommendations, visit the official Swedish guidelines here.