Vitamin Values of Foods in Hawaii

Abstract

In addition to many familiar American foods. there are available in Hawaii many foods of tropical and semitropical origin and foods characteristic of the diets of the racial groups which make up the population of the Islands. To provide information about the vitamin content of these foods, which are not included in published tables but which are of importance in local diets, and to determine the comparative vitamin value of fruits and vegetables produced locally with those produced elsewhere, a general survey of the vitamin values of foods in Hawaii was undertaken. The results of this survey are presented in this bulletin.

Following a brief discussion of the vitamins and their importance in nutrition, and a statement of the methods used, the vitamin A, vitamin B1 (thiamine), and vitamin C (ascorbic acid) contents of a large number of foods are summarized in table form, with a brief discussion of the resuits. Results are also given for some detailed ascorbic acid studies and for a few foods tested for vitamin D. Detailed supporting data are included in the appendix.