Official name

Food-based dietary guidelines for Nepalese.

Publication year

Nepal first published its food-based dietary guidelines in 2004. A revised version was launched in 2012.

Process and stakeholders

The first version of the guidelines was developed by Department of Food Technology and Quality Control, Ministry of Agriculture Development, and was published in Nepali.

The revised version also involved the Ministry of Health and Population and received support from UNICEF, the World Health Organization and the World Food Programme. It has been published in English.

The guidelines are endorsed by the Ministry of Agriculture.

Intended audience

The guidelines are directed at the general public.

Food guide

Nepal does not have a food guide.

Messages

• Eat a variety of foods every day.
• Eat more wholegrain cereal products and less refined cereals.
• Eat plenty of vegetables and fruits, especially green leafy vegetable and fruits.
• Eat pulses, fish, poultry, eggs and a little meat regularly.
• Consume milk or milk products daily.
• Consume moderate amounts of fat.
• Limit salt intake and use only adequately iodized salt.
• Consume less sugar, sweets and sweetened drinks.
• Eat clean foods and drink safe drinking water.
• Balance total food intake with physical activities.
• Consume locally available traditional foods and avoid junk foods.
• Avoid alcohol and tobacco products.
• Eat additional and especially nutritious food during pregnancy and lactation.
• Exclusively breastfeed your baby for 6 months and continue up to 2 years.
• Infants should be getting appropriate complementary feeding at 6 months.
• Provide special nutritional care for adolescents.
• Provide special nutritional care for the elderly.