WHO updates guildelines on intake of fats and carbohydrates; know how much one should consume

WHO has updated its guideline about the consumption of total fat; saturated fat as well as trans-fat and carbohydrates, based on the latest scientific evidence.

WHO has issued 3 new guidelines:

1. Saturated fatty acid and trans-fatty acid intake for adults and children

2. Total fat intake for the prevention of unhealthy weight gain in adults and children, and

3. Carbohydrate intake for adults and children

These recommendations aim to reduce the risk of unhealthy weight gain and diet-related non-communicable diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and certain types of cancer.

WHO provides a new recommendation which says that carbohydrate intake for every 2 year old or older person should come primarily from whole grains, vegetables, fruits and pulses and also recommends that adults should consume at least 400 grams of vegetables and fruits and 25 grams of naturally occurring dietary fibre per day.

In a first-time guidance for children and adolescents WHO suggests the following amount of vegetables and fruits that should be eaten:

2–5 years old, at least 250 g per day
6–9 years old, at least 350 g per day
10 years or older, at least 400 g per day
And the following intakes of naturally occurring dietary fibre:

2–5 years old, at least 15 g per day
6–9 years old, at least 21 g per day
10 years or older, at least 25 g per day.

Also watch: 5 health benefits of replacing your carbs with healthy fats in the morning