Each year, a Dutch National Food Consumption Survey is conducted to find out: what are we actually eating, collectively, in the Netherlands?
The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) compared what Dutch people ate in the period 2012–2016 to the previous survey from 2007–2010. More than 4,300 adults and children took part in the study.
The results show that the Dutch now eat around 100 grams of meat per day — a small decrease of 8%. This could be beneficial, as eating less red and processed meat is linked to a reduced risk of chronic diseases.
Both adults and children are drinking fewer sugary drinks. According to the latest data, children consume an average of 620 ml per day, and adults 350 ml. Alcohol consumption has also dropped by almost 20% compared to before 2010, with young people drinking 30% less.
We are eating slightly more fruit and nuts — about 8% more. Vegetable intake has increased by less than 5%, which unfortunately is too small a change to see a real improvement in national health.
The Food Consumption Survey gives a good indication of the direction of our dietary patterns, but it also has its limitations. The data was collected between 2012 and 2016. By now, it’s already 2018, and some figures may already be outdated. For example, another recent study showed that the decline in meat consumption had already stopped by 2017.