Abstract:
In order to know poor households, manage to eat, their food ritual and if their diet is nutritionally adequate, we conducted a survey followed by three 24-hour dietary recalls for a year with beneficiaries of the oldest association of charity in Constantine. The study showed that their diet is simple, user-friendly and monotonous, it is based on cereals, potatoes, seasonal vegetables and pulses. In times of crisis, the housewives prepare meals with milk and pasta. Their diet is based on plant sources and very poor in animal sources, it is insufficient in energy, lipids, iron, calcium, vitamins A and D. But it’s excessive in carbohydrates and sugar. In the light of these results, we recommend directing a portion of the monetary aid towards free vouchers for the purchase of fresh foods that are beyond their means, and give to housewives food education courses to diversify their food resources and balance them.
