EVALUATION OF THE AVERAGE CONSUMPTION OF FOOD PRODUCTS AND ITS NUTRITIONAL VALUE IN POLAND

Abstract

Balanced nutrition is the foundation of good health. Inadequate intake of the main nutrients leads to many diseases. Assessing the consumption of these nutrients is critical in taking action to improve the health of the population. The aim of this study was to analyse the average consumption of food products and its nutritional value in the Polish population. The nutritional assessment of the main nutrients in an average Pole’s diet was carried out by means of the Dieta 6D program. The data concerning the consumption of specific food products was taken from the Polish Central Statistical Office, Institute of Agricultural and Food Economics and many branch reports. Among different groups of food products village bread, full-fat milk, milk, chicken breast meat, sandwich ham, tomatoes, apples, rapeseed oil, water and beer were the most consumed in the group of bread, milk beverages, meat, processed meat, vegetables, fruits, plant oils, non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages, respectively. The Polish diet provides a sufficient amount of the main nutrients – protein, fat, carbohydrates (14.2, 29.8, 49.1 % energy of the diet, respectively), but there are some deficiencies (fiber – 73% of the recommended intake), and an excessive supply of other ingredients (energy in women – 130%, proteins in men and women, 140% and 167%, respectively, sugar – 19.5% energy of the diet, saturated fatty acids – 10.8% energy of the diet). The average trans fatty acids intake per day is 0.99 g (0.38 % energy of the diet). Summing up, the percentage of protein, fat and carbohydrates in the diet of an average Pole meets the standards recommended by European Food Safety Authority. The diet provides an insufficient amount of fiber. The consumption of sugar, calories in both sexes, saturated fatty acids is too high. Trans fat consumption has decreased when compared to previous reports.