In recent years the idea of New Nordic Food has dominated food discourse in Denmark. Debates have rested on the dual assumption that Nordic food is healthy and that a common Nordic food culture is both a historical and contemporary fact. However, statistics have long shown significant disparities in the health of Nordic populations. For decades, Denmark has been singled out as significantly unhealthier than its Nordic neighbours. This article investigates the long-term development of the Danish diet to understand how it differs from those of Finland, Sweden and Norway in the latter half of the twentieth century. The aim is to highlight historical developments and differences that shape our understanding of dietary patterns and underlie the health status of the Nordic populations. The article contributes new insights into both the national characteristics and long-term shifts in the Danish diet in the twentieth century and insights into historical similarities and differences in the food cultures of the (largest) Nordic countries.