Diet records from 2402 middle-aged men and women in three English towns have been used to derive food lists which indicate the percentage contribution each food, or group of foods, makes to the intake of specific nutrients. Comparison of these food lists with those based on the American diet show differences in sources of nutrients; for example, brussels sprouts provide 5% of the vitamin C intake in our English towns, whereas in the US they provide only 0.3%. It would not be appropriate, therefore, to use American food lists in English populations, since important sources of the nutrient may be omitted or non-important sources included. These food lists can be used for English populations as a basis for food frequency questionnaires.