Mineral intakes of predominantly lacto-ovo vegetarian East Indian adults.

Daily energy, protein, calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and dietary fiber intakes of East Indian Punjabi immigrants consuming predominantly lacto-ovo vegetarian diets [59 males (M), mean age 37.7±10.5 yr. and 53 females (F), mean age 33.3±7.4 yr] were assessed by calculation from 3-d weighted dietary records, using food composition values and by chemical analysis of 30 1-d diet composites. Mean daily calculated intakes wer: energy, M=2374±713 and F=1708±552 kcal; protein, M=95.8±35.1 and F=68.0±28.9g; Ca, M=990±468 and F=837±393 mg; M=2034±778 and F=1489±551 mg; Zn, M=12.2±4.9 and F=8.8±3.9 mg; Cu, M=2.4±0.9 and F=1.7±0.6 mg; and Mn, M=7.7±3.3 and F=5.7±2.4 mg. The mean daily Ca intakes for M and F were 124 and 105%, respectively, of the Canadian Recommended Nutrient Intake (RNI). In contrast, average P intakes were much higher, 254 and 213% of the RNI for M and F, respectively, so that the mean Ca:P ratios were 1:2.0 for M and 1:1.8 for F. Forty-eight percent of the F compared to 19% of the M had Zn intakes below the current RNI, whereas 28% of the M and 77% of the F received Cu intakes below the suggested US safe and adequate range. Mean daily Mn intakes were higher than those for subjects consuming omniverous North American diets and none of the subjects had Mn intakes below the US safe and adequate range.