Make the healthy choice the default in public canteens

The problem: public canteens in schools, hospitals and offices serve millions of meals, yet the healthiest option is often neither the cheapest nor the easiest to pick.

The proposal: redesign the choice, not the person. Put the healthiest options first and at eye level, price them at or below the alternatives, make a balanced meal the default portion on the tray, and publish what is served in plain language. The World Health Organization's guidance on a healthy diet gives a starting point for what "balanced" can mean, which can be adapted to local food and culture. This is an example of preventive healthcare through changing the environment.

Who acts: the public body running the canteen; suppliers adapt menus; a dietitian reviews them.

Costs and trade-offs: food cost and waste need monitoring, and cultural fit is essential. Choice should stay: anyone should be able to pick something else.

First step: one canteen runs a three-month change and compares what people choose and how much is wasted, then publishes the results.

This is a general proposal, not individual dietary advice.