Nutritional analysis and complementation of a food basket derived for consumption

Introduction: The DIEESE and PROCON Basket (DPB) is a list of basic foodstuffs, drawn up on the basis of a Standard of Living and Work Research project in S. Paulo city, Brazil. Seeing that it has been used as a standard for price variations, it is desirable that such an economic instrument as this should also represent a truly healthy standard of nutrition. Thus, this study seeks to verify the adequacy of the food products in the DPB in relation to the nutritional needs of a typical reference family in S. Paulo city. It also proposes some techniques for dietary complementation. Methodology: A demographic census, undertaken in 1991 has been used to establish the reference family, as well as 2/3 of RDA as corresponding to its nutritional needs, and the food composition tables of McCance and Widdowson to analyse the nutrient content of the DPB. Dietary complementation was undertaken by three different methods: Ad Hoc (direct suggestions), Linear Programming (computer software was utilized to minimize costs), and Hybrid (a combination of the first two). Results: Food items in the DPB showed insufficient values for vitamins A, C, B2 and B6, and for minerals Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, I and Se; besides, a relatively high fat content was found. The Hybrid Method of food complementation seems to present the best results, associating low cost and local dietary habits. Discussion: A relation between the dietary deficiencies of the DPB and the nutritional transition in the developing countries may be inferred. The epidemiological risks associated with these changes in eating patterns should not be incorporated into a reliable economic instrument.