Rice and beans--effect of milk, mineral, and vitamin A, on weight gain, food intake, and body protein retention.

Weanling rats were fed on diets of rice/beans (RB) with or without mineral (M) supplement; vitamin A (A); M + A (MA); or milk (L), containing from 3 to 14% protein. As determined by various measures, the best results were observed in the group fed the RB diet, supplemented with L. This group was followed by those receiving the MA and M diets. Protein utilization in the RB diet, as well as minimum protein requirement for maintaining body weight, depend on the supplementary nutrients. The mechanism of this effect may be related to the appetite of the animals and to the voluntary intake, which is influenced and regulated by the diet composition.