Supplementary value of varying levels of red gram (Cajanus cajan) to poor diets based on rice and ragi.

The diets consumed by a large majority
of the population in the developing countries
are based on cereals and millets,
roots and tubers and certain small
amounts of legumes and negligible
amounts of milk and other animal foods'.
Such diets are deficient in protein, certain
vitamins and minerals and do not promote
optimal growth of children.' In view of
the practical difficulties involved in increasing
milk production in these countries,
attempts are being made to use
processed protein foods based on plant
proteins viz. oilseed meals and legumes
and fortified with essential vitamins and
minerals as supplements to the diets of
children.' Legumes are cultivated in
large quantities in several countries, and
it is possible to increase their production
and use them as supplements to human
diets."
Since cereal diets are in general deficient
in proteins. calcium, vitamin A and
riboflavin it is of interest to find out the
supplementary value of varying levels of
legumes (with or without added vitamins
and minerals) to these diets. The present
paper describes the results of studies on
the supplementary value of varying levels
of red gram dhal (with or without vitamins
and minerals) to poor diets based on rice
and ragi.