Nevertheless, the staple foods still are potatoes, bread, meats, dairy products and vegetables which are consumed by almost the entire adult population and which make important contributions to the intakes of a range of nutrients. Tea is the most commonly consumed beverage. The proportion of foods and beverages consumed outside the home is growing. It amounts to one quarter of the total energy intake of the population overall and to one third in 18-35 year olds. The survey found that intakes of most vitamins and minerals are adequate in the population.
Women are more likely to have diets inadequate in vitamins and minerals than men.
Calcium intake is inadequate in almost one quarter of women and vitamin D intakes are also low. Low intakes of calcium and vitamin D may contribute to bone loss and the development of osteoporosis. Almost half of women aged 18-50 years had inadequate iron intakes, increasing the risk of iron deficiency anaemia. Few women of reproductive age achieved the folate intake recommended for the prevention of neural tube defects, such as spina bifida, in newborn infants and all of those who met the recommended intake were using folic acid supplements. The mean daily fibre intake was below the minimum of the recommended range in almost one half of women and one quarter of men.