Our Global Network is dedicated to funding research and health education programmes into the links between food, nutrition, physical activity, body fatness and cancer risk.
Plant foods
Eat mostly foods of plant origin
Public health goals
- Population average consumption of non-starchy1 vegetables and of fruits to be at least 600 g (21 oz) daily2
- Relatively unprocessed cereals (grains) and/or pulses (legumes), and other foods that are a natural source of dietary fibre, to contribute to a population average of at least 25g non-starch polysaccharide daily
Personal recommendations
- Eat at least five portions/servings (at least 400 g or 14 oz) of a variety2 of non-starchy vegetables and of fruits every day
- Eat relatively unprocessed cereals (grains) and/or pulses (legumes) with every meal3
- Limit refined starchy foods
- People who consume starchy roots or tubers4 as staples also to ensure intake of sufficient non-starchy vegetables, fruits, and pulses (legumes)
1. This is best made up from a range of various amounts of non-starchy vegetables and fruits of different colours including red, green, yellow, white, purple, and orange, including tomato-based products and allium vegetables such as garlic
2. Relatively unprocessed cereals (grains) and/or pulses (legumes) to contribute to an average of at least 25 g non-starch polysaccharide daily
3. These foods are low in energy density and so promote healthy weight
4. For example, populations in Africa, Latin America, and the Asia-Pacific region
For more details see Chapter 12 in our resource downloads section.