Introduction. In highly developed society metabolic disorders have become the most common cause of diseases and deaths. One of the main causes of developing the disorders is excessive consumption of high-calorie meals containing fats and proteins. In 1999 the group of experts of World Health Organization specifi ed chronic diseases caused by inappropriate nutrition, for example: cardiovascular disorders, obesity, tumours, diabetes.

Medical staff, mainly nurses, are obliged to prevent illnesses caused by uncorrect nourishment. Nurses mostly communicate information about diet; they deliver literature about food during illness and good health. So if they don’t abide by dietary rules, the quality of delivered information maybe inadequate.

Aim. The aim of the study was to analyse the consumption of selected products and the content of bioelements: Ca, Mg, Zn, Fe in daily meals with relation to recommended norms.

Material and methods. The research was carried out in a group of 109 nurses working in two hospitals of Podlaskie Province. The quantitative analysis of nourishment involved a method of 24-hour interview of the day preceding the research. The bioelements contents: calcium, magnesium, zinc and iron in their daily rations was calculated with computer program FOOD 2 prepared by institute of Food and Nourishment in Warsaw.

Results. The meals of most nurses didn’t satisfy the standards of correct nourishment. In researched group eating of low cereal products, milk and its products, fi sh potatoes and also fruits and vegetables, was observed. The research showed that the supply of studied bioelements in nurses from Podlaskie is low, mostly concerned calcium and iron and was not much different from other social groups from other regions in Poland.

Conclusions. Incorrect nourishment of nurses, despite of their knowledge, may unfavourably infl uence the prevention of civilization – related diseases.

Słowa kluczowe: education, edukacja, jakość żywienia, nurses, pielęgniarki, quality of nutrition