Iron Bioavailability From MyPyramid Menus

This study will measure nonheme iron absorption from each of the 7 daily MyPyramid menus. Such measurements will confirm whether modifications are needed to meet dietary iron recommendations and will provide data useful for validation algorithms to calculate dietary iron bioavailability.

Nonheme iron absorption is measured with 59Fe tracer added to a 1-day menu, with iron retention detected two weeks later in a whole body scintillation counter. Each subject has iron absorption measured from each of 7 1-d menus formulated to meet the US dietary guidelines (MyPyramid menus), with the order of menus randomly assigned. Each subject participates for 14 wk to test all 7 menus.