Contribution of leading food sources, meals and presentations to dietary intake in government sponsored day‐care centers in Guatemala (SOSEP)

Abstract

ObjectiveTo determine the leading food sources of nutrients, principal mealtimes, and predominant presentation (solid/liquid) provided by the diet served in government sponsored day‐care centers (SOSEP).MethodsThe SOSEP 8‐week rotating menu, containing 102 items, was reduced to the content in gravimetric or IU units for 30 selected nutrients per menu cycle. The item, meal type (breakfast {B}/lunch {L}/snacks {S}) and presentation (solid/liquid) were ranked highest for each nutrient.Results5 items were the leading sources of 19/30 nutrients of interest (vegetable oil, 5; table sugar, 4; corn tortilla 4; oatmeal, 3; Incaparina®, 3). An additional 9 items were leading sources for 2 or 1 item each. 4 main items were of animal origin. L was the predominant source for 25 nutrients, B for 5, and S for 2 (2 nutrients were tied across 2 meal types). The solid form was predominant for 26 nutrients, and liquid for 6 (2 nutrients were tied across forms).ConclusionsNumber‐1 predominance of nutrient delivery to the SOSEP diet is limited to a few items, mostly of plant origin. As expected for Guatemala, L was the main meal type for most nutrients, which derived from solid foods.