Nutritional adequacy of self-selected diets that satisfy the four food groups guide

Abstract

The use of the Four Food Groups as a standard for nutritional adequacy of diets was evaluated by an analysis of 1-day dietary records of 212 young adults. For the 46 subjects reporting the suggested number of servings from the Four Food Groups, nutrient adequacy ratios (NARs) were near or over 80 for all nutrients and over 90 for all except vitamin E, vitamin B-6, and iron. However, only one-third of these subjects attained the RDA for vitamin E, vitamin B-6, iron, and zinc; and only two-thirds achieved the RDA for folacin and magnesium. If the goal of a food guide is to ensure an intake equal to the RDAs, a modification of the Four Food Groups guide is indicated to correct for these shortcomings unless an updating of food composition tables or a revision of the RDA changes this assessment. Alternatively, if a goal of 80% of the RDA is acceptable, the current guide is satisfactory.