Last updated on 10-7-2025 by Thérésa Lebacq
Why do we study carbohydrate intake?
- Carbohydrates are one of the main sources of energy for the body: each gram of carbohydrates provides 4 kcal. They are transformed into glucose, which is the primary energy source for the brain and muscles.
- Carbohydrates in foods occur in various forms, including:
- polysaccharides (or complex carbohydrates), found in cereal-based and starch-rich products;
- monosaccharides and disaccharides (or simple carbohydrates) found for instance in dairy products, vegetables and fruits;
- dietary fibre, found for instance in fruits, vegetables and wholegrain products.
- The health effects of dietary carbohydrates depend on the type of carbohydrate and the food source. Carbohydrates found in wholegrain products, fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds are recommended as the main source of carbohydrates. Adequate energy intake from such carbohydrates in a high-quality diet is associated with a reduced risk of chronic diseases and all-cause mortality in adults. By contrast, a high intake of added sugars increases the risk of developing chronic metabolic diseases and dental caries.
- The total amount of carbohydrates consumed each day is an important source of energy and is therefore important for maintaining an optimal energy balance. According to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the intake of total carbohydrates – including polysaccharides, as well as monosaccharides and disaccharides – should be between 45% and 60% of the total energy intake for both adults and children.
How do we study it?
- Habitual intake of carbohydrates was analysed using the SPADE® program. The detailed methodology can be found here.
- Habitual carbohydrate intake is expressed in grams per day, as well as a percentage of energy intake (En%). By expressing the carbohydrate intake as a percentage of energy intake, comparisons between groups of people with different energy requirements (e.g., between men and women, children and adults) can be done.
- To gain insight into the proportion of the population that has an insufficient or excessive carbohydrate intake, the distribution of carbohydrate intake was compared with the reference intake range of 45 – 60 En% as set by EFSA.
KEY RESULTS
The mean carbohydrate intake in the population aged 3 years and older is 190 g/day or 43 En%
61% of the population have an inadequate carbohydrate intake (lower than 45 En%), while only 0.6% have a too high carbohydrate intake (higher than 60 En%)
The proportion of people not meeting the carbohydrate intake range does not vary by educational level
The proportion of people having an inadequate carbohydrate intake is higher in Wallonia (68%) than in Flanders (58%)
The proportion of the population aged 3-64 years having an inadequate carbohydrate intake increased between 2014-2015 (53%) and 2022-2023 (59%)
By age and sex
Mean carbohydrate intake (g/day) in the population aged 3 years and older, by age and sex, Belgium, 2022-2023
- Crude = results weighted for season, age, sex, and socioeconomic status.
- Older adults (65 years and above) do not include those residing in care facilities, hospitalised individuals, or those who would have required significant assistance during interviews (e.g., people with cognitive impairments).
- In Belgium, the mean carbohydrate intake in the population aged 3 years and older is 190 g/day.
- Men have a higher carbohydrate intake (213 g/day) than women (167 g/day). This difference between sexes is observed in all age groups but is less pronounced in children.
- In women, the mean carbohydrate intake is higher in children (179 g/day) and adolescents (185 g/day) than in adults. In addition, adults aged 18-64 years (167 g/day) have a higher mean carbohydrate intake than adults aged 65 years and older (154 g/day).
- In men, the mean carbohydrate intake is higher in adolescents (226 g/day) and adults aged 18-64 years (219 g/day) than in children (192 g/day) and adults aged 65 years and older (196 g/day).
Mean carbohydrate intake (En%) in the population aged 3 years and older, by age and sex, Belgium, 2022-2023
- Crude = results weighted for season, age, sex, and socioeconomic status.
- En% = Energy percentage. This represents the proportion of daily energy derived from carbohydrates in the diet. It was calculated by multiplying total daily carbohydrate intake (g) by 4 kcal per gram and dividing by total daily energy intake (kcal).
- Older adults (65 years and above) do not include those residing in care facilities, hospitalised individuals, or those who would have required significant assistance during interviews (e.g., people with cognitive impairments).
- In Belgium, 43% of the energy intake comes from carbohydrates, in the population aged 3 years and older.
- This contribution is similar for men and women, overall and in the different age groups.
- The contribution of carbohydrates to energy intake is the highest in children (48 En%), it decreases with age to 46 En% in adolescents and to 42 En% in adults aged 18-64 years and adults aged 65 years and older.
Proportion of the population aged 3 years and older with a carbohydrate intake (En%) (A) below and (B) above the dietary reference levels, by age and sex, Belgium, 2022-2023
A. Proportion below the lower reference level
- In Belgium, 61% of the population aged 3 years and older has an inadequate carbohydrate intake, i.e. below the lower reference level of 45 En%.
- This proportion is similar in men and women, overall and in the different age groups.
- The proportion of people having a carbohydrate intake below the lower reference level is the lowest in children (29%) and increases with age, to 40% in adolescents and 69% in adults aged 18-64 years and in adults aged 65 years and older.
B. Proportion above the upper reference level
- Crude = results weighted for season, age, sex, and socioeconomic status.
- Results are based on recommendations defined as average requirements. The proportions below the lower end of the recommendation (<45 En%) and above the upper end of the recommendation (>60 En%) were calculated.
- Older adults (65 years and above) do not include those residing in care facilities, hospitalised individuals, or those who would have required significant assistance during interviews (e.g., people with cognitive impairments).
- In Belgium, 0.6% of the population aged 3 years and older has a too high carbohydrate intake, i.e. above the upper reference level of 60 En%.
- This proportion is the highest in children (3%), it decreases in adolescents (1%) and in adults (0.2%).
- In conclusion, 38% of the population has a carbohydrate intake within the reference intake range. This proportion is similar in men and women. The proportion of people within the reference intake range is the highest in children (68%), it decreases in adolescents (58%) and even more in adults (30% in adults aged 18-64 years and 31% in adults aged 65 years and older).
By educational level
Mean carbohydrate intake (g/day) in the population aged 3 years and older, by educational level, Belgium, 2022-2023
- Crude = results weighted for season, age, sex, and socioeconomic status.
- The educational level is calculated at the household level by considering the highest diploma obtained by: (i) the respondents or their partner for adults (aged 18 years and above), or (ii) the father and mother (or carer, if applicable) for children and adolescents (aged 3 to 17 years). However, for simplicity, we refer to the educational level of individuals rather than the educational level of their households.
- The mean carbohydrate intake (in g/day) does not vary according to educational level.
Mean carbohydrate intake (En%) in the population aged 3 years and older, by educational level, Belgium, 2022-2023
- Crude = results weighted for season, age, sex, and socioeconomic status.
- En% = Energy percentage. This represents the proportion of daily energy derived from carbohydrates in the diet. It was calculated by multiplying total daily carbohydrate intake (g) by 4 kcal per gram and dividing by total daily energy intake (kcal).
- The educational level is calculated at the household level by considering the highest diploma obtained by: (i) the respondents or their partner for adults (aged 18 years and above), or (ii) the father and mother (or carer, if applicable) for children and adolescents (aged 3 to 17 years). However, for simplicity, we refer to the educational level of individuals rather than the educational level of their households.
- The contribution of carbohydrates to energy intake is similar in the three educational groups.
Proportion of the population aged 3 years and older with a carbohydrate intake (En%) (A) below and (B) above the dietary reference levels, by educational level, Belgium, 2022-2023
A. Proportion below the lower reference level
- The proportion of people with an inadequate carbohydrate intake (i.e. lower than 45 En%) is around 60% in the three educational groups.
B. Proportion above the lower reference level
- Crude = results weighted for season, age, sex, and socioeconomic status.
- Results are based on recommendations defined as average requirements. The proportions below the lower end of the recommendation (<45 En%) and above the upper end of the recommendation (>60 En%) were calculated.
- The educational level is calculated at the household level by considering the highest diploma obtained by: (i) the respondents or their partner for adults (aged 18 years and above), or (ii) the father and mother (or carer, if applicable) for children and adolescents (aged 3 to 17 years). However, for simplicity, we refer to the educational level of individuals rather than the educational level of their households.
- The proportion of people with a too high carbohydrate intake (i.e. higher than 60 En%) does not vary according to the educational level.
- Overall, the proportion of the population having a carbohydrate intake within the reference intake range does not vary by educational level.
By region
Mean carbohydrate intake (g/day) in the population aged 3 years and older, by region, Belgium, 2022-2023
- Crude = results weighted for season, age, sex, and socioeconomic status.
- Brussels is excluded from the regional comparison due to an insufficient number of participants, but is included in the national data for Belgium.
- The mean carbohydrate intake is higher in Flanders (196 g/day) than in Wallonia (177 g/day).
Mean carbohydrate intake (En%) in the population aged 3 years and older, by region, Belgium, 2022-2023
- Crude = results weighted for season, age, sex, and socioeconomic status.
- En% = Energy percentage. This represents the proportion of daily energy derived from carbohydrates in the diet. It was calculated by multiplying total daily carbohydrate intake (g) by 4 kcal per gram and dividing by total daily energy intake (kcal).
- Brussels is excluded from the regional comparison due to an insufficient number of participants, but is included in the national data for Belgium.
- The contribution of carbohydrates to the energy intake is higher in Flanders (44 En%) than in Wallonia (42 En%).
Proportion of the population aged 3 years and older with a carbohydrate intake (En%) (A) below and (B) above the dietary reference levels, by region, Belgium, 2022-2023
A. Proportion below the lower reference level
- The proportion of people having an inadequate carbohydrate intake (i.e. lower than 45 En%) is higher in Wallonia (68%) than in Flanders (58%).
B. Proportion above the upper reference level
- Crude = results weighted for season, age, sex, and socioeconomic status.
- Results are based on dietary reference values defined as average requirements. The proportion below the lower reference level (<45 En%) and above the upper reference level (>60 En%) was calculated.
- Brussels is excluded from the regional comparison due to an insufficient number of participants, but is included in the national data for Belgium.
- The proportion of people having a too high carbohydrate intake (i.e. higher than 60 En%) is similar in Flanders and in Wallonia.
- Overall, the proportion of the population having a carbohydrate intake within the reference intake range is higher in Flanders (42%) than in Wallonia (32%).
By year
Mean carbohydrate intake (g/day) in the population aged 3 to 64 years, by year, Belgium, 2022-2023
- Crude = results weighted for season, age, sex, and socioeconomic status.
- Adults aged 65 years and older are not included as they were not part of the target population of the 2014-2015 survey.
- The mean carbohydrate intake in the population aged 3-64 years decreased from 207 g/day in 2014-2015 to 194 g/day in 2022-2023.
Mean carbohydrate intake (En%) in the population aged 3 to 64 years, by year, Belgium, 2022-2023
- Crude = results weighted for season, age, sex, and socioeconomic status.
- En% = Energy percentage. This represents the proportion of daily energy derived from carbohydrates in the diet. It was calculated by multiplying total daily carbohydrate intake (g) by 4 kcal per gram and dividing by total daily energy intake (kcal).
- Adults aged 65 years and older are not included as they were not part of the target population of the 2014-2015 survey.
- The contribution of carbohydrates to energy intake in the population aged 3-64 years decreased slightly between 2014-2015 (45 En%) and 2022-2023 (43 En%).
Proportion of the population aged 3 to 64 years with carbohydrate intake (En%) (A) below and (B) above the dietary reference levels, by year, Belgium, 2022-2023
A. Proportion below the lower reference level
- The proportion of the population aged 3-64 years having an inadequate carbohydrate intake (i.e. lower than 45 En%) increased between 2014-2015 (53%) and 2022-2023 (59%).
B. Proportion above the upper reference level
- Crude = results weighted for season, age, sex, and socioeconomic status.
- Results are based on dietary reference values defined as average requirements. The proportion below the lower reference level (<45 En%) and above the upper reference level (>60 En%) was calculated.
- Adults aged 65 years and older are not included as they were not part of the target population of the 2014-2015 survey.
- The proportion of the population aged 3-64 years having a too high carbohydrate intake (i.e. higher than 60 En%) did not change between 2014-2015 and 2022-2023.
- In conclusion, the proportion of the population aged 3-64 years with a carbohydrate intake within the reference intake range decreased between 2014-2015 (46%) and 2022-2023 (40%).
Contribution of foods to carbohydrate intake
Contribution of foods to carbohydrate intake, in the total population aged 3 years and older, Belgium, 2022-2023
- Crude = results weighted for season, age, sex, and socioeconomic status.
- Cereals and cereal-based products are the foods that contribute most to carbohydrate intake, accounting for 39% of carbohydrate intake.
- They are followed by cakes and sweet biscuits (contributing 11% of carbohydrate intake), sugar and confectionery (contributing 9%), and fruits (contributing 9%).
Please cite this page as: Sciensano. Macronutrients: Carbohydrates, Food Consumption Survey 2022-2023, June 2025, Brussels, Belgium, https://www.sciensano.be/en/results-national-food-consumption-survey-2022-2023/carbohydrates-and-dietary-fibre/carbohydrates