title: Revision of food-based dietary guidelines for Ireland, Phase 1: evaluation of Ireland's food guide.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate Ireland's food-based dietary guidelines and highlight priorities for revision.
  
  
  METHODS
  Evaluation with stakeholder input. Energy and nutrient intake goals most appropriate for Ireland were determined. Advice from Ireland's food guide was translated into 4 d food intake patterns representing age and gender groups from 5 to 51+ years. Nutritional content of the food patterns was compared with identified goals and appropriateness of food advice was noted. Feedback from stakeholders was obtained on portion size of foods within the Bread, Cereal and Potato group and of portion descriptors for meat and cereal foods.
  
  
  METHODS
  Government agency/community.
  
  
  METHODS
  General population aged 5+ years, dietitians/nutritionists (n 44) and 1011 consumers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Goals were identified for energy, macronutrients, fibre, Fe, Ca and vitamin D. Goals not achieved by the food patterns included energy, total fat, saturated fat, fibre and vitamin D. Energy content of food portions within the Bread, Cereal and Potato group varied widely, yet advice indicated they were equivalent. Dietitians/nutritionists agreed with the majority of consumers surveyed (74 %, n 745) that larger portion sizes within the Bread, Cereal and Potato group were more meaningful. 'Palm of hand' as a descriptor for meat portions and a '200 ml disposable cup' for quantifying cereal foods were preferred.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Revision of the guidelines requires specific guidance on energy and vitamin D intakes, and comprehensive advice on how to reduce fat and saturated fat and increase fibre intakes. Advice should use portion descriptors favoured by consumers and enlarged portion sizes for breads, cereals and potatoes that are equivalent in terms of energy.
authors.affiliation: Public Health Nutrition, Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI), Abbey Court, Lower Abbey Street, Dublin 1, Republic of Ireland. mflynn@fsai.ie
authors.forename: Mary A T
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Flynn
authors.forename: Clare M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: O'Brien
authors.forename: Gemma
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Faulkner
authors.forename: Cliona A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Flynn
authors.forename: Magda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gajownik
authors.forename: Sarah J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Burke
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003625:Data Collection; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D009753:Nutritive Value; D055815:Young Adult