Report of the Scientific Committee of the Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition (AESAN) on sustainable dietary and physical activity recommendations for the Spanish population

*This record is given in both English and Spanish Dietary recommendations are developed from the best available scientific evidence on the effect of nutrients and food on health. These recommendations take into account that the effect of food depends not only on its nutritional content but also on the matrix in which is ingested, the alterations during the culinary process, the presence of non-nutrient substances, and the synergies that occur between food combinations. In addition, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (Moran, 2020) make it clear that a profound change in the way food is produced and consumed must take place in order to increase productivity and sustainability while improving human health. On the other hand, taking into account that Law 17/2011, of July 5, on Food Security and Nutrition, in its article 36 [Strategy of nutrition, physical activity, and prevention of obesity (NAOS)], indicates that nutritional and physical activity targets for the population and those of reduction of the prevalence of obesity will be established, it has been considered appropriate to include in this report an update of the physical activity recommendations published by AESAN (Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition) in 2015 (AECOSAN, 2015), also aligned with sustainability and the environment, so that the 2030 SDGs can be achieved (Moran, 2020) by promoting physical activity and reducing sedentary behaviour. In view of the above, and in order to establish and be able to provide the population with the most complete and updated information available on healthy and sustainable dietary patterns and on the importance of physical activity, the Scientific Committee of AESAN has been asked for a new report that updates both the dietary recommendations for the Spanish population, considering the environ mental impact of food, as well as recommendations related to physical activity. The Scientific Committee believes that the adoption by the Spanish population of a varied and balanced diet, healthy and sustainable, can improve their health and well-being, while reducing the environmental impact. To this end, it is recommended to consume at least 3 servings/day of vegetables; 2-3 servings/day of fruits; a moderate intake of potatoes and other tubers; 3-6 servings/day of cereals, depending on the energy needs of each person, and not more than 4 servings/day if caloric intake needs to be restricted, prioritising in any case whole grain cereals and wholemeal products; at least 4 servings/week of legumes up to a daily consumption; 3 or more servings/week of nuts, up to a consumption of 1 daily serving, choosing those without added salt, fats or sugars; 3 or more servings/week of fish, prioritising blue fish and species with less environmental impact; up to 4 eggs/week; a maximum consumption of 3 servings/day of dairy products, avoiding those with added sugars and high salt content, although, due to their high environmental impact, it is suggested to reduce the number of daily servings of dairy products if other foods of animal origin are consumed; a maximum of 3 servings/week of meat, prioritising poultry and rabbit meat and minimising the consumption of processed meat; a daily consumption of olive oil, both for cooking and for seasoning, in all main meals; and drinking as much water as necessary, which is considered the primary beverage of a healthy diet. In addition to these recommendations, a number of general considerations and aspects to be taken into account for a sustainable healthy diet have been included. Finally, this report also includes physical activity recommendations aimed at different population groups, according to the different stages of life, considering that physical activity can be integrated into work, sports and recreational activities or travel, as well as in daily and domestic chores, and that increasing the number of daily steps is also a good way to improve the health of all people.ES; PDF; pfefsa@aesan.gob.e