Food and nutrient intakes among nomads living in three different areas of Inner Mongolia, China.

The subjects, from Mongolian-style gel tribes, aged 6-79 years, living in three different areas of Inner Mongolia, were asked about their daily food consumption in August 2001 using the 24-hr dietary recall method. There were no significant differences in food intakes between males and females of the same age group in the same area, with a few exceptions, although considerable variation was found among individuals and areas for the amount of foods consumed. Some subjects consumed greater amounts of wheat, vegetables, fruits, and vegetable oils, which suggested they had changed their eating patterns. All subjects drank large quantities of tea, to which was added milk (sheep/goat), cream, butter, parched millet and/or sawa. This traditional tea supplied vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A, iron and calcium.