A comparative analysis of sustainability of the usual food intakes of the Iranian population, Iranian food-based dietary guidelines, and optimized dietary models

Promoting sustainable diets might contribute toward achieving development goals. Considering the importance of national food-based dietary guidelines (FBDGs), this study aimed to assess and compare sustainability dimensions usual Iranian intakes with optimal based on (2006 2015 versions), Mediterranean, vegetarian FBDGs. The households were estimated using household expenditure survey data. Diet sustainability, including environmental (water, carbon, land) footprints, cost, nutrient-rich food (NRF) index, was calculated for diet compared those different Using linear goal programming, models by minimizing footprints cost maximizing NRF simultaneously each FBDG, while maintaining nutritional considerations recommended Replacing intake Iranians 2016 FBDG associated reductions equal 20.9% water footprint, 22.48% carbon 20.39% land 31.83% 7.64% increase in index. model Iran 10% more 2005 version. Changing consumption Mediterranean pyramid accompanied highest lower other models. recent older one, sustainable. a future revisions is recommended.