Table 2.
Bridging the gap between recommended and reported intake for dietary categories
| n | Recommended daily amount* | Difference between participant intake and recommended intake,† median (IQR) | Healthful food pantry items that could bridge the gap‡ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fruits (cups) | 281 | ≥2 cups | 1·0 (0·8–1·3) | 1 cup canned pineapple chunks in water or 100% fruit juice |
| Vegetables (cups) | 303 | ≥2·5 cups | 1·0 (0·8–1·2) | 1 cup canned mixed vegetables (low Na or no salt added) |
| Fibre (g) | 272 | ≥22 g | 6·6 (4·3–8·5) | ½ cup black beans, drained |
| 1 cup sliced carrots (low Na or no salt added) | ||||
| ¼ cup dry lentils | ||||
| Whole grains (oz) | 316 | ≥3 oz | 2·3 (1·9–2·5) | 1 cup cooked brown rice |
| 2 slices whole grain bread | ||||
| Dairy products (cups) | 310 | ≥3 cups | 1·6 (1·3–1·8) | 1·5 cups milk and/or yogurt |
| Ca (mg) | 247 | ≥1000 mg | 173·4 (100·0–246·6) | 1 packet fortified instant oatmeal |
| ½ cup milk or fortified, unsweetened plant-based milk | ||||
| Added sugar (tsp) | 227 | ≤12 tsp | 4·1 (1·5–8·3) | Replace 1 can of soda with unsweetened beverage or water |
*
Recommended daily intake values obtained from Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020–2025(11).
†
The difference between minimum recommended intake and reported intake was calculated for participants who did not meet minimum recommended intake of fruit, vegetable, fibre, whole grain, dairy products or Ca. The difference between maximum recommended intake and reported intake was calculated for participants who exceeded the maximum recommended intake of added sugar.
‡
Examples adapted from recommended healthful foods for food banks to ‘actively seek, procure, and distribute(26)’.