Free Dietitian Advice Available in Belgian Supermarkets During National Nutrition Week
Belgian shoppers can receive free, personalized nutrition advice directly in their supermarkets this week as part of the annual Week of the Dietitian. Recognizing the growing challenge of misinformation surrounding food and diet, registered dietitians are offering guidance in 36 Lidl locations, as well as select Carrefour and Bio-Planet stores, aiming to empower consumers to make informed choices. The initiative comes at a time when individuals are increasingly turning to social media and apps for dietary advice, often encountering unreliable or conflicting information that can lead to confusion and unhealthy habits.
The Week of the Dietitian, running from March 16th to March 22nd, 2026, seeks to address this issue by providing accessible, professional advice in a familiar setting. Dietitians are positioned within the stores to offer practical tips and help shoppers evaluate the nutritional value of their purchases. This direct engagement aims to lower the barrier to expert guidance, offering a convenient alternative to scheduled appointments or consultations. The initiative is spearheaded by the Flemish Association of Dietitians (VBVD), who emphasize the importance of taking control of one’s health through reliable information.
Combating Online Nutrition Misinformation
The proliferation of nutrition advice online has created a complex landscape for consumers. While the internet offers a wealth of information, the quality and accuracy of that information vary significantly. The VBVD highlights the risk of adopting unhealthy habits based on unverified claims circulating on social media platforms and through various apps. What may be considered healthy for one person may not be suitable for another, underscoring the need for individualized guidance from qualified professionals. Lidl Belgium is partnering with the VBVD to host dietitians in their stores as part of this effort.
“With professional advice from a registered dietitian in the supermarket, we lower the threshold to healthy eating: no appointment, no consultation, but a short conversation while people are doing their shopping,” explains Elke Lecluyse of the VBVD. “If there is interest or a question about certain products, You can start with what is already in the shopping cart and provide feasible suggestions. This shows how small adjustments can make a big difference on the plate.”
Practical Tips for Healthier Shopping
Dietitians participating in the Week of the Dietitian are offering shoppers concrete strategies for building a more balanced grocery cart. Celeste Benaouda, a dietitian stationed at a Lidl in Deinze, Belgium, encourages shoppers to ask questions about specific food items or to have her review the contents of their cart. “You are welcome to ask if there is a better choice for a particular food, or we can go over what’s in your cart together,” Benaouda stated.
Benaouda emphasizes that healthy eating begins with mindful shopping. Creating a grocery list before heading to the store is a crucial step in resisting impulse purchases. “Especially if you go to the store without a plan or when you’re hungry, it’s very easy to end up with all the wrong things,” she notes.
The advice offered isn’t about drastic lifestyle changes, but rather about making small, sustainable adjustments. “You don’t have to overhaul your entire life. Replacing small things, such as white bread with whole wheat or white pasta with brown pasta, already has an impact on your health. Start small with steps that are achievable,” Benaouda advises. This approach aligns with broader recommendations from nutrition experts who advocate for gradual, realistic changes to dietary habits.
Locations and Participation
The free nutrition advice is available at Lidl, Carrefour, and Bio-Planet stores across Belgium throughout the week of March 16th to March 22nd, 2026. Participating locations include stores in Destelbergen, Lochristi, Merelbeke, and Ghent. The Flemish Association of Dietitians provides a comprehensive list of participating locations and further details on their website.
