Using a semiquantitative screening method for the evaluation of food consumpti- on based on food groups in the food pyramid and standard units of portions the authors examined a group of women immediately after delivery (n=392). The results are compared with recommendations and with two other groups examined by the same method - with a large group of mothers of schoolchildren (n=2487) and a group of childless women included in the programme of assisted reproduc- tion (n=159). The group of women after delivery was moreover examined repea- tedly after 3 months and then after 6 months. As compared with recommendations in the group of women after delivery an inadequate consumption of cereals was recorded (2.2 helpings per day as compared with the recommended 4), of vegetable (2.5 helpings as compared with the recommended 3) and of milk (2 helpings as compared with the recommended 3) and conversely an excessive meat consum- ption (1.6 helping as compared with 1 recommended helping). As compared with the other groups women after delivery were relatively satisfactory - as compared with the other two groups they had a significantly higher consumption of „desi- rable“ food groups, i.e. cereals, vegetables, fruit and milk (in all instances p<0.001) and conversely no differences were found in the group of meat and group „other items“. The group of assisted reproduction proved least satisfactory in particular as regards vegetables and dairy products. Within the framework of repeated examinations of women 3 and 6 months after delivery only minor changes were recorded. On the whole the dietary intake of pregnant and nursing women can be considered relatively satisfactory, in particular as compared with other groups. It sems that comparison with recommendations must be cautious, in particular when new and non-traditional methodological approaches for evaluation of di- etary intake. Despite certain pitfalls the methods using more complex food groups are very perspective and their wider application in practice may be foreseen.

        Key words: nutrition of pregnant and nursing women - screening dietary intake