Dutch people are eating more and more fruit and vegetables, unsalted nuts, less red and processed meat and fewer sugary drinks. This is according to RIVM's Food Consumption Survey (VCP).
In the poll between 2007 and 2010, we still ate 128 grams of vegetables a day. In 2021, that rose to 163 grams. The number of grams of fruit also increased, from 103 to 129 grams. Most Dutch people still do not meet the Health Council's recommendation of 200 grams of vegetables per day. But the percentage of adults who do comply has risen from 16 per cent to 29 per cent.
The amount of red and processed meat fell by more than 20 per cent compared to the previous poll from 2007 to 2010. The Health Council recommends limiting consumption of such meat because of health risks such as colon cancer.
Dutch people started drinking less sugary drinks such as soft drinks and fruit juice and drink more tea and water. Interestingly, water consumption among mostly male participants of the poll increased by 72 per cent. Among women, there was a 34 per cent increase, but they had been drinking larger amounts of water before.
Since 1987, data on what the Dutch eat and drink have been collected on behalf of the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport. This involves looking at the Dutch population in general and individual population groups in particular.
This survey is called the Food Consumption Survey (VCP). The news that Dutch people have started eating increasingly healthier comes from the latest VCP covering the period 2019-2021. It is a poll of a representative group of about 3,500 children and adults. The poll also revealed some negative changes. For instance, fewer people eat fish once a week. The use of dietary supplements has also increased. The Health Council advises against their use unless people belong to a specific group in which it is recommended.
Source: NOS.co.uk
