German Nutrition Society Updates Dietary Recommendations with Sustainability in Mind
The German Nutrition Society (DGE) has released updated dietary recommendations, placing a significant emphasis on sustainability alongside traditional health considerations. These guidelines, published in March 2024, aim to provide a framework for healthy eating that also minimizes environmental impact, a growing concern for public health officials worldwide.
The updated recommendations, known as “Gut essen und trinken” (Eat and drink well), are based on a novel mathematical optimization model developed by the DGE with input from various experts. This model considers not only nutritional needs but also environmental burdens and typical German eating habits. The result is a diet that consists of more than three-quarters plant-based foods and just under one-quarter animal-based foods, while still meeting all essential nutrient requirements.
According to the DGE factsheet, the new guidelines build upon existing recommendations and also draw from the principles of the Planetary Health Diet. The factsheet is designed for use in consumer and nutritional counseling, as well as educational settings.
The DGE’s nutrition circle visually represents how a healthy and ecologically sustainable diet can be composed of all essential nutrients. Each food group provides specific nutrients in varying amounts.
Researchers emphasize that even minor steps towards incorporating more plant-based foods into one’s diet can contribute to both personal health and environmental sustainability. The DGE provides resources, including frequently asked questions and answers, to aid individuals understand and implement these recommendations. A digital factsheet details the significance, similarities, and differences between the DGE recommendations and the Planetary Health Diet.
The updated guidelines, released in 2025, are available as a downloadable PDF (Size: 458.7 KB) from the DGE. These changes reflect a growing recognition of the interconnectedness between diet, health, and the environment, and could influence dietary guidelines in other countries as well.
