NETHERLANDS – The Netherlands has revised its national dietary advice, lowering recommended meat and cheese intake while encouraging higher intake of plant-based foods, particularly legumes, in a shift framed by public health and environmental concerns. The updated framework, known as the “wheel of five,” was released by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre and retains its core emphasis on vegetables, fruit, whole grains, and balanced intake of fat and sugar, while adjusting serving quantities for both animal and plant foods. Meat intake sees one of the sharpest adjustments, with adults aged 18 to 50 advised to reduce weekly consumption from a maximum of 500 grams to 300 grams, including no more than 100 grams of red meat. Cheese consumption has also been revised downward, with daily guidance reduced from 40 grams to 20 grams, alongside recommendations to alternate dairy products with fortified plant-based alternatives. At the same time, legumes are being positioned as a key protein ...