Dietary guidelines and food nutrient intakes in Portugal

The average intakes of nutrients by a group of 489 adult Portuguese (greater than or equal to 40 years) living in a metropolitan area of Northern Portugal were studied using a food frequency questionnaire, and used to compare with the most recent recommendations for the same population by the National Council of Food and Nutrition. The data suggested a relative concordance between consumption levels and nutritional goals, however we found differences between subgroups of the population. Higher intakes of total fat and saturated fat, and lower intakes of fibre/energy and carbohydrates were shared by younger people (40-55 years), and higher intakes of total fat, saturated fat, fibre/energy, protein and carbohydrates and lower intakes of alcohol by women. Nutrients have been analysed in terms of the percentage contribution to total energy intake, but as alcohol is energy dense, its consumption can decrease the proportion of the energy intake from nutrients other than alcohol, and some caution must be taken in interpreting these results.