When possible, eat plenty of fresh and seasonal vegetables and fruits daily and find ways to add more legumes, nuts and whole grains to your diet. Legumes and nuts are great sources of plant-based protein. They’re also kinder on our planet because they require less water to produce and can enhance soil fertility.
Promote healthy diets among friends and family by adopting nutritious eating habits and encouraging others to do the same. By prioritizing healthy choices and spreading awareness, you contribute to the well-being of individuals and the overall improvement of public health.
Diversify your diet by adding traditional, locally grown and seasonal foods, in an effort to support biodiversity. Learn about their nutritional values and look up some recipes to cook meals using these ingredients.
Practice food safety in your daily life. When grocery shopping or storing food, make sure to keep raw meat, poultry, seafood, and their juices away from other foods to avoid cross-contamination. Make it a habit to thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water before handling any food and cook your foods thoroughly to kill any pathogens and disease-causing organisms that raw foods may have.
Learn to understand food labels and ingredients lists so you can choose nutritious foods that contribute to a balanced, healthy diet, including information on energy (usually calories) and key nutrients such as salt, sugar and fat. Food labels also help us to make sure our food is safe to eat. Sometimes food is still safe to eat after the “best before” date, whereas it’s the “use by” date that tells you when it’s no longer safe to eat or drink. Understanding this reduces food waste.
Dietary guidelines in your country provide advice on how to make sure you get enough nutrients to be healthy and prevent chronic disease. FAO supports countries in the development, updating and implementation of these dietary guidelines, which are also used to develop nutrition policies and education programmes.
Stand up for the rights of #FoodHeroes by raising awareness and educating others about the important role of the people who work to provide food for all, even during challenging times. Inform your community about inequalities in access to nutritious food. By amplifying voices and fostering understanding, you empower individuals to act and create change towards a more equitable agrifood system.
You can demonstrate respect for nature, farmers, and our agrifood systems by taking simple actions such as planning our meals carefully, using creative recipes to minimize food waste, or composting organic matter instead of throwing it in landfills.
Extend a helping hand by making a donation or offering your time to support those in need during humanitarian crises. Whether it's contributing funds, volunteering at shelters, or providing essential supplies, your actions can provide helpful aid and comfort to those facing challenges.
Stay informed by listening to credible news sources and responsibly share factual information. It is vital that we remain accurately informed about the global challenges related to food security and the potential solutions to overcome them. Contact the media, speak up and find other ways to influence decision makers, sharing information to promote positive change.
