Abstract
We investigated the relationship between the daily intake frequency of meals including a staple food, a main dish and a side dish with reference to nutrient intake in a healthy elderly population. A weighted method was used to record food intake for two days in May 2013. We defined the staple food, main dish, and side dish in the same way as that for the Japanese Food Guide Spinning Top. We divided the subjects into three groups according to the frequency of meals including a staple food, a main dish and a side dish (0.5−1.5 times/day, 2 times/day, and 2.5−3 times/day) . The frequency of consumption of meals including all three components was associated with sodium intake in men and women, and with vitamin C and dietary fiber intake in women. The frequency of intake of meals including all three components was associated with an increase in the likelihood of meeting tentative dietary goals for preventing lifestyle-related diseases linked to carbohydrate intake. Our results indicated that, in women, more frequent intake of meals including a staple food, a main dish and a side dish was associated with higher vitamin C and dietary fiber intake.
