RESUMO
Once it is available, the information on food intake (FI) may enable the development of strategies to intervene, monitor and explore dietary patterns with more sophisticated statistical methods. Thus, the purpose of this study was to document the quantitative dietary characteristics in a probabilistic sample of adults in Niterói in the State of Rio de Janeiro. A 24-hour dietary recall of a typical day was conducted. The food eaten by most adults (> 50%) was white rice, coffee, black beans, refined sugar and French bread. Whole milk was ingested by more adults than skimmed or semi-skimmed milk. Beef was ingested by more adults than chicken, fish or pork. More adults ingested sodas than fruit juices and fruits were eaten by a relatively high percentage of adults (63.3%). The combination of white rice, black beans, beef and French bread was responsible for at least 25% of energy, protein and carbohydrate and 17% of lipids. A total of 65 food items accounted for approximately 90% of energy and macronutrients. The list generated is somewhat similar to the one used in a similar survey conducted in São Paulo. The list can serve as the basis for a single food frequency questionnaire to be used for the southeastern Brazilian urban population.