The new food spectrum • The Ministry of Health's plan for proper eating immunizes and protects

The new food spectrum - the values ​​and the way to healthy and sustainable Mediterranean eating

The Ministry of Health is launching for the benefit of public health, and for the benefit of children's health, the new food spectrum that details the values ​​and the way to healthy, protective and protective eating. This diet was developed uniquely for Israel, the leader in the Mediterranean diet which constitutes a consensus for health and sustainability, and led the writing of the national nutritional guidelines.

Health Minister Yuli Edelstein:

Eating healthy is not just 'New Age'. Eating healthy is for our health, for our life. The new food spectrum is the first thing to eradicate the side effects of the Corona period. Naturally during a pandemic we all invest our all in eradication. The phenomenon of obesity was on the rise and now is the time to take care of the current health of all of us.

Director General of the Ministry of Health, Prof. Hezi Levy:

I see nutrition and the quality of nutrition as one of the important tasks of the ministry for public health. In recent years there has been an increase in diabetes, heart disease, brain and blood vessel diseases. Proper nutrition from childhood is the right way to deal with these diseases and improve the quality of life and life expectancy.

Flexible and easy to implement recommendations

The food spectrum presents flexible recommendations that are simple to understand and implement. The configuration of the rainbow was chosen after an in-depth and joint process in which experts from the fields of nutrition, health promotion, communication, social marketing and design took part, as part of the national program for an active and healthy life - healthy possible.

The new food spectrum is designed to improve the eating habits of the residents of Israel, thus improving their health and resilience. Especially after the Corona period, when eating habits changed for the worse due to the change in lifestyles.
Instead of the pyramid that existed until now, the food spectrum visually expresses the national nutritional guidelines, so that it will be easy and tangible to put together a healthy and nutritious menu, sustaining, social and at costs suitable for everyone.

Nutrition has a significant and immediate effect on all health

During the Corona period, the understanding that nutrition has a significant and immediate effect on health and resilience was strengthened. Obesity, diabetes and nutritional deficiencies were found to be associated with a higher infection rate in Corona, with significantly higher disease complications and mortality. For example, obesity increased the risk of hospitalization due to corona by 113% and mortality by about 50%. At the same time, surveys conducted in Israel by Brookdale and the CBS showed trends of worsening eating habits during the Corona period. 50% reported overeating, 50% reported eating more snacks and sweets - products that are harmful to health. Surveys conducted on weight gain presented findings of A significant increase in a short period, about 5 kg on average among adults and a 15-20% increase in the weight of children and teenagers and an increase in eating disorders.

Tens of percent of Israeli citizens are overweight

The corona epidemic reached us when 60% of the men and 55% of the women in Israel are already overweight and obese, the prevalence of diabetes is about 10% and the trend has not changed over the past few years. At the same time, the percentage of children who are overweight and obese in the 30th grade also does not change the trend and does not show a decrease. About XNUMX% of Israeli children in XNUMXth grade are overweight and obese.

The processed food problem

Examining the eating habits that lead to these trends, according to Mbat surveys, it was found that 50% of the daily calories of the youth, and 40% of those of the adults, come from ultra-processed products. Only 25% of the children consume fruit more than once a day. This is of particular concern because it leads to chronic morbidity such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, orthopedic and mental illnesses.

The spectrum is divided according to the frequency of recommended consumption

The green and yellow arches contain foods recommended for eating every day, while the orange arch contains foods recommended for eating throughout the week.

• The green rainbow contains a variety of vegetables, fruits and whole grains. These are whole foods that contribute a variety of nutritional values ​​and it is important to vary them in color and in the way they are eaten several times a day.
• The yellow rainbow Contains 3 food groups: olive oil/tahini/nuts; Legumes; Milk and its substitutes. Each of these groups has an important contribution to health, and it is recommended to vary them at least once a day.
• The orange rainbow Contains animal foods that are recommended to be varied throughout the week and not necessarily every day. And like the other foods you requested, it is recommended to buy them raw and cook them at home.
• The pink rainbow Contains raw beef. Its consumption should be minimized, if you eat, the recommendation is not to consume more than 300 grams per week, and this is for the benefit of health and sustainability.
• The red and inverted rainbow contains products that are not recommended for consumption. These products are characterized by high levels of saturated fat, sodium and sugar and a high degree of processing.

The national nutritional guidelines refer to the degree of food processing:

• The national nutritional guidelines refer to the whole food. The nutritional and social value of the whole food, which is greater than the sum of its components.
• Intensive food processing has many effects on health, its consumption increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, obesity, diabetes and cancer, based on scientific studies.
• Raw foods, or minimally processed, are the healthiest foods and are the basis of a healthy diet. Whereas ultra-processed products such as sugary drinks, snacks and sweets, and ultra-processed meat and its substitutes, are harmful to health and contribute to an increase in morbidity. 50% of the daily calories of the youth in Israel come from ultra-processed products!

The national nutritional guidelines are mostly based on plant foods:

A varied plant-based diet is healthy for everyone - for the person and the environment.

• The national nutritional guidelines guide daily eating of a variety of plant foods - vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, nuts and seeds, and moderate eating of animal foods throughout the week.
• The national nutritional guidelines refer to nutrition holistically in its impact on health, the environment, culture and the economy:
• The recommended diet is based on the Mediterranean diet, scientifically proven to contribute to health and disease prevention.
• The recommended diet here is sustaining. This diet has relatively little impact on the environment, unlike Western nutrition which has a significant ecological footprint.
• The recommended diet encourages local eating and seasonal food, thereby contributing to the local economy and can help prevent food waste, thus also contributing to a circular economy.
• The recommended diet is based on raw food that requires home cooking. Home cooking encourages shared and healthy eating. Eating like this strengthens the sense of belonging and social ties, thus contributing to mental and physical health. In addition, it is also cheaper for the individual and the family.

These days, an international discussion is being held under the leadership of the United Nations to make recommendations for changing the food system and meeting the 17 international sustainability indicators that Israel, like the rest of the world, is committed to. Improving these indicators, including good health, healthy nutrition for all, reducing disparities in health, responsible consumerism and actions to change the climate, are promoted through the national nutritional guidelines for Israel.