‘Three big potatoes is way too much’. This is the view of Britt-Marie Dahlin, the founder of the Swedish food plate model. Thirty-seven years after tallriksmodellen – or the plate model – was introduced, she feel the immobile lifestyle of most Swedes challenge the guideline.

Tallriksmodellen is a simple reminder of the proportions a healthy meal should have. One-third of the plate should contain high-energy foods like potatoes, rice, pasta and bread. The second section should be made up of vegetables and root vegetables. And, the third section should contain meat, fish, eggs and pulses.

Tallriksmodellen has been supported by Livsmedelsverket – the Swedish National Food Agency – since 1992, and has been used as a pedagogic tool ever since. Generations of Swedes have grown up with the plate as their dietary guideline.

But now, Britt-Marie Dahlin believes the amount of carbohydrates should be reduced by a third and be replaced with vegetables rich in vitamins and minerals.

She feels half the plate should contain vegetables and root vegetables, leaving a quarter each for high-energy food and protein. But, she feels it is easier to advice people to simply reduce their amount of carbohydrates.

So, is it time to change tallriksmodellen ? Livsmedelsverket is reviewing the current nutritional recommendations with the results being expected before the summer.

News story in English