Abstract
The main aim of this study was to identify the food sources of energy and 28 nutrients from cereals and cereal products in the average Polish diet based on data from a nationally representative sample of the Polish population attending in 2016 Household Budget Survey (i.e., 36,886 households). The contribution of energy and nutrients from cereals and cereal products were compared with reference values. The detailded analysis included five main groups and nine sub-groups of cereal food category. Our findings indicated that cereals and cereal products contributed 30.4% of total dietary energy supply, providing a significant percentage of six nutrients to the average Polish diet (i.e., 64.1% of manganese, 51% of carbohydrates, 48.5% of dietary fibre, 34.1% of iron, 33.6% of folate, and 31.3% of copper). Supply at the level of 20–30% was observed for protein, thiamin, phosphorus and zinc, and at 10–20% for polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), sodium, potassium, calcium, riboflavin, niacin, and vitamin B6. For other nutrients i.e., total fat, saturated fatty acids (SFA), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), cholesterol, iodine, vitamins: A, D, B12, and C, the share of cereals and cereal products contribution was below 10%. Cereals and cereal products were the major food category in meeting the reference values for the Polish population in case of manganese, carbohydrates (approximately 100%), and sodium (50%). The reference values was reached at the level of 30–40% for dietary fibre, protein, iron, copper, zinc, phosphorus and thiamin, and 20–30% for energy, magnesium, folate, niacin, riboflavin, vitamins B6 and E. For such nutrients as total fat, SFA, and potassium, the fulfillment of the reference values amounted to 10–20%. Our results document the importance of cereals and cereal products in the Polish diet, which should be emphasized from a nutritional and health point of view.
Highlights
Cereals and cereal products are staple foods in most human diets [1,2,3], in both developed and developing countries, providing a major proportion of dietary energy and nutrients
The importance of cereals and cereal products is supported by the fact that global food security depends to the greatest degree on cereal production, which yearly amounts to approximately 2600 million tons [5]
Consumption of whole grain cereal products is associated with higher diet quality and nutrient-dense foods delivering protein, lipids, B vitamins, vitamin E, and minerals [7]
Summary
Cereals and cereal products are staple foods in most human diets [1,2,3], in both developed and developing countries, providing a major proportion of dietary energy and nutrients. They are composed of approximately 75% carbohydrates, mainly starches and about 6–15% protein, contributing in global terms more than 50% of energy supply [4]. Consumption of whole grain cereal products is associated with higher diet quality and nutrient-dense foods delivering protein, lipids, B vitamins (including thiamin, niacin, riboflavin), vitamin E, and minerals (calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, iron, and sodium) [7]. The interaction between phytic acid and minerals should be taken into consideration to ensure high bioavailability and adequate supply of them [11]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
