1.1 Dietary advice from around the world

Graphic representation of the Japanese food guide spinning top. The top of the figure has the heading, Japanese food guide spinning top, do you have a well-balanced diet? The top of the spinning top has a cartoon figure running, with the label physical activity, and water or teas labelled, representing the centre of the spinning top. There are four different segments going vertically to the bottom of the spinning top, with images of different food items. There is a label coming from the second segment from the bottom: Enjoy snacks, confection and beverages moderately! On the right of the spinning top, there are the following labels, suggesting the guidelines for one day, marking each of the segments: 5–7 SV grain dishes, 5–6 SV vegetable dishes, 3–5 SV fish and meat dishes, 2 SV milk, and 2 SV fruits. SV is an abbreviation of serving, which is a simply countable number describing the approximated amount of each dish or food served to one person. The bottom of the figure has the text: decided by Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare and Ministry of Agricultute, Forestry and Fisheries.

An image of India’s food guide. It is a triangle, with four sections inside and different types of food displayed in each. Going vertically from the top to bottom, the first one is labelled eat sparingly, the second eat moderately , the third eat liberally, and the fourth, eat adequately. To the left of the triangle there is the label, exercise regularly and be physically active. At the bottom, outside of the triangle, there are two images, one of a wine bottle and glass inside a circle with a red cross on top, and the second an image of a cigarette inside a circle with a red cross on top.

An image of Mexico food guide. The heading is labelled El Plato del Bien Comer and below it is a fork, circular diagram, knife and spoon. The circular diagram has different images of food split into segments. There are three labels going around the circle, highlighting the different segments. From the top of the circle, clockwise: VERDURAS Y FRUTAS, LEGUMINOSAS Y ALIMENTOS DE ORIGEN ANIMAL, CEREALES. At the bottom of the figure is the following text: FUENTE: NOM-043-SSA2-2005

An image of USA food guide. There is a fork to the left of a plate, with a smaller plate to the right of the plate. Inside the big plate, there are four unequal segments, labelled: fruits, grains, protein and vegetables. The smaller plate has the label dairy inside. The bottom of the image has the following text: choosemyplate.gov

An image of Canada food guide. At the top of the image there is an image of the Canadian flag with the following text: Heath Canada, Santé Canada, Your health and safety... our priority. Votre santé et votre sécurité... notre priorité. Then there is a heading: Eating well with Canada’s food guide. There is an image of the countryside with a rainbow going across with various images of food types along it.

An image of Mediterranean diet pyramid, at the top of the image there are two labels, on the left: Mediterranean diet pyramid: a lifestyle for today guidelines for adult population. On the right: serving size based on frugality and local habits. There are eight bars going horizontally across the page. The first bar has the label: wine in moderation and respecting social beliefs. The second one has the label sweets ≤ 2 s. The third one has potatoes ≤ 3 s, red meat < 2 s, processed meat ≤ 1 s. The fourth one has white meat 2 s, fish/seafood ≥ 2 s, eggs 2–4 s, legumes ≥ 2 s. The fifth one has dairy 2 s (preferably low fat). The sixth one has olives/nuts/seeds 1–2 s, herbs/spices/garlic/onions (less added salt) variety of flavours. The seventh has fruits 1–2, vegetables ≥ 2 s, variety of colour/textures (cooked/raw), olive oil, bread/pasta/rice/couscous/other cereals 1–2 s (preferably wholegrain). The last one has water and herbal infusions. The top three bars have a weekly label, the fourth and fifth bar have an every day label and the sixth bar has every main meal label. On the bottom right of the figure, there is the label regular physical activity, adequate rest and conviality. The left hand side of the figure has biodiversity and seasonality, traditional, local and eco-friendly products, culinary activities. S=serving. On top of the bars is a triangle made up of black images of varying food types.