The investigations were carried out twice during the year of 2003: once in the spring and once in the autumn season, both times in the seven different hospitals located in the Malopolska Province. The investigations included the total of 14 908 patients hospitalized and fed on a basic diet. It was found that the average daily diet of the population examined differed from the recommended standards in the consumption of some groups of food products and in nutrient ingredients. The contents of vitamins (E, B₁, B₂), as well as of mineral ingredients (Fe, Ca, Mg) were lower in those diets that the recommended levels, and, at the same time, the level of sodium was high. The results obtained confirm that it is necessary to continuously and strongly promote knowledge of rational nutrition principles among people including dieticians.