Nutrition is a basic human need and prerequisite to a healthy life. A proper diet is essential from
the very early stages of life for proper growth, development and to remain active. Food
consumption, which to a large extent depends on production, access, distribution and
affordability, impacts on the health and nutritional status of the population.
Although Bangladesh has made considerable progress in increasing national level food
availability, the intake of energy and other essential nutrients is still below the requirements and
recommended dietary allowances. Diets are largely imbalanced with the staple food cereals
contributing around 70% of total energy intake (HIES, 2010). A desirable dietary pattern
therefore needs to be developed based on the current knowledge of nutritional requirements of
different age, sex and occupational groups, the country‘s food and dietary habits and normative
guidelines for a healthy diet. Such recommendations for the desirable dietary pattern are used for
formulating dietary guidelines for individuals and groups and for planning national food and
agricultural strategies. National guidelines for translating the required energy and nutrients play
an important role in supporting long-term planning for balanced food intake, but these are not yet
available for Bangladesh. The present study is an attempt to develop a desirable dietary pattern
and diet plans for Bangladesh that will help to meet the both macro- and micro-nutrient
requirements at affordable costs.