The science of nutrition

Sensible and balanced food choices are the best foundation for health and well-being. And while that’s true for people of all ages, it’s particularly important for the very young: our attitudes to food, and with them our food preferences and aversions, are shaped during childhood.

Healthy and varied nutrition during childhood creates a template for a healthy way of life in adulthood and helps to avoid nutrition-related illnesses and weight problems.

The German Nutrition Society (DGE) recommends an optimised, varied diet as a foundation for healthy nutrition:

• Plenty of beverages and plant-based foods
• A moderate amount of animal products
• Limited fatty foods, sweet treats and salt

Still and sparkling water, as well as unsweetened herbal and fruit teas, are suitable beverages.

Plant-based foods are the foundation of a balanced and nutritious diet. They provide your body with carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, fibre and phytochemicals.

The DGE recommends eating at least 3 portions of vegetables and 2 portions of fruit every day.

Animal products should be used to supplement our diets in small quantities. Milk, dairy products such as cheese and yoghurt, lean meat and fish provide high-quality protein as well as many important vitamins and minerals.

The quality of fats and oils is critical. Because animal fats contain a lot of saturated fatty acids, plant oils like rapeseed oil and sunflower oil are preferable. These contain unsaturated Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, which are necessary for our bodies to function properly and need to be obtained from the food we eat.

Food and drink sweetened with sugar should be avoided. Use salt sparingly and limit salty foods.