The nutritive adequacy of some Nigerian peasant diets

Abstract

The nutritive values of six traditional diets of the people of South‐Eastern Nigeria have been evaluated. A bioassay procedure was used; it involved the measurement of Biological Value, True Digestibility of the dietary nitrogen, Net Protein Utilization (operative) and Net Dietary Protein Calories Percent (NDpCals%). The procedures were applied to diets cooked as for human consumption, then dried and fed unmodified to male weaning albino rats. The results showed that in all cases the digestibility of the dietary nitrogen was high but the nutritive value was significantly low. These results are discussed and compared with the FAO recommended practical allowances for NDpCals% for various physiological ages and states.