Vol. 12, Issue 6 (2023)

Author(s):
Alvira Rajwadi and RS Pundir

Abstract:
This paper attempted the consumption pattern and nutrient intake through different food items. Pulses are nutritive commodity and main source of dietary protein for majority of vegetarian population. For this study, National Sample Survey Organization’s (NSSO) 55^th, 61^st and 68^th rounds data were taken for consumption pattern calculations and for measuring nutrient intake. ICMR’s prescribed dietary allowance used for calculations. It was found that consumption of pulses has increased over the years. While the consumption of cereals has decreased, indicating that people are diverting to high value and nutritive commodity as compared to staple food items. The per capita per day nutrient intake through pulses and milk have increased from last two rounds while the nutrition intake through cereals have declined over the years, indicating that changing consumption pattern have great impact on nutrition intake. The analysis has shown that per capita per day intake of nutrients from food items have declined except calcium and zinc. This indicates that nutrition intake has declined which could be a major issue of nutritional and food security. The protein intake gap was noticed to be positive indicating that its intake was sufficient but the gap was found to be decreased over the years. It can be concluded that some nutrients intake were in sufficient quantity as recommended and some were lacking. So, it is advised that households should focus on nutritional security and maintain their dietary basket as per nutritional requirements of their family and include pulses in their food basket as their major source of protein.