Researchers looked at what low-income families in Brazil purchased for food between 2017 and 2018. They studied over 13,000 households to understand which foods made up most of their diet. The study found that the government’s recommended list of affordable staple foods—like rice, beans, grains, and meat—made up about 84% of the calories these families bought. The research shows that this government food list actually matches what poor families were already buying, which means it’s a realistic plan for helping people afford healthy meals.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Which foods low-income Brazilian families actually buy and eat, and whether the government’s recommended affordable food list matches what people really purchase
  • Who participated: 13,706 low-income households in Brazil (families earning less than half the minimum wage per person) surveyed in 2017-2018, including families from rural and urban areas across different regions
  • Key finding: Foods on the government’s affordable staple food list made up 84% of all the calories that low-income families purchased, showing this list reflects real eating patterns
  • What it means for you: If you’re a low-income family or work in food assistance programs, this suggests the government’s recommended food list is practical and matches what families actually buy. However, the study shows families aren’t buying enough fruits and vegetables, which may be a concern for overall nutrition

The Research Details

Researchers used information from a large national survey called the Household Budget Survey, which tracks what Brazilian families spend money on, including food. They looked at data collected from 2017 to 2018 and focused specifically on households earning less than half the minimum wage per person. They then compared what these families actually bought to an official government list of affordable staple foods created by the Ministry of Social Development and Fight Against Hunger.

The researchers calculated what percentage of total calories came from foods on the government’s list. They broke down the results by region (North, Northeast, South, Southeast, and Center-West), by rural versus urban areas, and by the race or skin color of the household head. This approach let them see if different groups of families had different eating patterns.

This type of study is important because it shows whether government food assistance programs are based on what people actually eat. If the recommended foods don’t match real purchasing patterns, the program won’t work well. By using actual purchase data from thousands of families, the researchers could see the real picture instead of guessing.

This study used a large, nationally representative sample of over 13,000 households, which makes the findings reliable for understanding low-income Brazilian families. The data came from an official government survey, so it’s trustworthy. However, the study only looked at one time period (2017-2018), so we don’t know if these patterns have changed. Also, the study shows what families bought, not necessarily what they ate or whether they had enough food.

What the Results Show

The main finding was that foods on the government’s staple food basket list made up 84.1% of all calories purchased by low-income households. This was even higher in rural areas (88.0%) and in the North (88.2%) and Northeast (85.9%) regions of Brazil.

When looking at specific food groups, grains and cereals were the biggest part of what families bought, providing 33.5% of calories. Sugars, oils, and fats made up 21.3% of calories. Meat and eggs contributed 11.6% of calories. Within the meat group, poultry was most popular (5.0% of calories) followed by beef (4.0%).

Beans, which are a traditional Brazilian food, accounted for 4.7% of calories. Rice and corn together made up 19.7% of calories. However, fruits and vegetables were a very small part of purchases—fruits only 1.9% and vegetables just 0.7% of total calories.

The study found no major differences in food purchasing patterns based on the race or skin color of the household head, suggesting that food choices among low-income families are fairly consistent across different demographic groups. This indicates that the government’s food basket recommendations could work similarly well for all low-income families regardless of background.

This research supports the idea that government food assistance programs should focus on affordable staples like grains, beans, and basic proteins, since these are what low-income families already prioritize when spending their limited money on food. The findings suggest the government’s food basket list is culturally appropriate and realistic for Brazilian families.

The study only looked at what families bought, not what they actually ate or whether they had enough food to eat. Some food purchased might be wasted or shared with others. The data is from 2017-2018, so current eating patterns might be different. The study also shows that fruits and vegetables are very low in these families’ diets, but it doesn’t explain why—whether it’s because they’re too expensive, not available, or not preferred. Finally, the study doesn’t tell us about the nutritional quality of the foods purchased or whether families are getting all the nutrients they need.

The Bottom Line

For government food assistance programs: The evidence strongly suggests that the staple food basket list is realistic and matches what low-income families actually buy. However, programs should also work to increase access to affordable fruits and vegetables, since these are purchased in very small amounts. For families: Focus on affordable staples like rice, beans, grains, and lean meats, but try to add more fruits and vegetables even in small amounts.

Government officials and food assistance program designers should care about this research because it shows their recommended food list is practical. Low-income families and food banks can use this information to understand typical purchasing patterns. Nutritionists and public health workers should note that while the food basket is realistic, it may not provide enough fruits and vegetables for optimal health. This research is less relevant for middle or high-income families, whose food choices are typically different.

This research describes patterns from 2017-2018, so the findings reflect eating habits from that time period. If food assistance programs are adjusted based on this research, changes in family nutrition would likely take several months to a year to become noticeable, depending on how well the programs are implemented and how much they improve access to fruits and vegetables.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily purchases of foods from the staple food basket (rice, beans, grains, basic meats) versus fresh produce. Set a goal to increase the percentage of grocery spending on fruits and vegetables from the current 2-3% toward 10-15% of total food calories.
  • Use the app to plan weekly meals based on affordable staple foods while adding one new affordable fruit or vegetable each week. Create shopping lists that maintain the budget-friendly staples but gradually increase produce variety.
  • Monthly review of food purchase categories to track whether the household is maintaining adequate staple foods while slowly increasing fresh produce purchases. Compare spending patterns to identify where small budget adjustments could add more fruits and vegetables without exceeding the food budget.

This research describes food purchasing patterns in Brazil from 2017-2018 and does not provide personalized nutrition advice. The study shows what families bought, not whether they had adequate nutrition or enough food. If you have concerns about your family’s nutrition or food security, consult with a healthcare provider, registered dietitian, or local food assistance programs. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace professional nutritional or medical guidance.