The contribution of wild vegetables to micronutrient intakes among women: An example from the Mekong Delta, Vietnam

No previous dietary intake study in Vietnam has focused on contemporary use of wild vegetables (Rau dai). In this study the contribution of such gathe red vegetables to micronutrient intake of women was investigated in two vil lages in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Dietary assessments (24-h recall and re peated 7-day FFQ) were conducted on 110 and 101 women, respectively, in the rainy season as well as the flood period. Twenty aquatic and terrestrial wild vegetables were recorded in the dietary assessments. Popular wild species were among the most frequently used vege tables, used alternatively with home-cultivated or commercial vegetables. W ild plants contributed 81% and 63%, respectively, of the daily intake of ve getables during the flood period and rainy season. They made important cont ributions to the intake of carotene, vitamin C, calcium and iron. We conclu de that there is a need to pay specific attention to the role of wild veget ables especially in the diets of the rural poor.