AbstractBy 4‐day weighing, food consumption was recorded for a total of 59 men, aged 50–59 years, in 2 Finnish districts: Parikkala, a rural Finnish community, and the city of Helsinki. Food intake patterns differed between these populations. More cereals and thus more carbohydrates, more milk, and more meat, eggs, and sugar were consumed by the rural population, which therefore had a higher energy intake. Alcohol consumption was higher in Helsinki. Food preparation methods were found to differ between the populations, and day‐to‐day differences in food and nutrient intake were observed in both districts.