The recommended intake of fish is 300–450 grams each week. At least 200 grams should be fatty fish such as salmon, trout, mackerel, and herring.
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Norwegians are being urged to eat more seafood, as Norway's health authorities release new dietary recommendations for 2024.
Like the previous dietary guidelines, the authorities once again recommend that fish and seafood be an essential part of the weekly diet.
"Fish and seafood, beans, lentils, peas, eggs, and lean meat are good sources of several important nutrients, so we recommend choosing fish and seafood for dinner two to three times a week, and preferably as a spread," said Linda Granlund, Director of Public Health and Prevention at the Directorate of Health, presenting the guidelines at a recent public event in Arendal, Norway.
While the previous guidelines contained 12 recommendations, the new ones have been reduced to seven in an effort to simplify them, Granlund said.
Granlund emphasised the benefits of eating seafood, including reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases, reducing cognitive impairment, and providing important nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, vitamin B12, proteins and iodine.
The recommended intake of fish is 300–450 grams each week, according to the latest guidelines. At least 200 grams of this should come from fatty fish such as salmon, trout, mackerel, and herring, Granlund said.
"Vary between these and lean fish such as cod, saithe, and haddock. The amount refers to ready-to-eat products. Fish in products such as fish cakes, fish balls, fish gratin, and fish spreads are also included in the recommendation," she added.
In their seafood recommendations, the health authorities also advise choosing products with a high fish content and low salt.
"Seafood such as shellfish and molluscs can be part of a healthy and varied diet, even though they are not included in the recommended quantity for fish," Granlund explained.
The CEO of the Norwegian Seafood Council, Christian Chramer, welcomed the new dietary guidelines.
"It is encouraging that the authorities are so clear in their recommendation that food from the sea should continue to be an important part of a healthy and sustainable diet. I can promise that we will do our part to promote the guidelines and inspire Norwegians to choose fish and shellfish even more often, both for everyday meals and special occasions," Chramer said.
However, the Seafood Council CEO has previously highlighted that seafood consumption is declining in Norway. While 19% of protein intake in Norway comes from seafood, Norwegians are eating 3kg less per year than they did ten years ago, according to Norwegian Seafood Council figures.
Part of the reason for that is price, Chramer pointed out, noting that while historically in Norway, seafood has been a cheap source of protein, in recent years, the price of both wild and farmed seafood has risen significantly.
