Trends in dietary intake in the Twin Cities metropolitan area were measured by comparing data from two independent surveys conducted in 1973-74 and 1980-82. Dietary information was collected by 24-h recall and coded by a single coding center. For men reported caloric intake declined significantly and fat, protein, and carbohydrate each declined approximately 6%; changes in reported dietary intake for women were smaller and mostly nonsignificant. Few trends were observed for either sex in nutrient intake relative to energy intake. Changes in mean serum total-cholesterol levels and body mass indices between 1973-74 and 1980-82 were not consistent with the direction of dietary trends. The proportion of subjects whose 24-h intake met five selected US dietary goals was calculated. In 1980-82, less than 15% of persons reached the goals for carbohydrate and fat intake on the day surveyed; the cholesterol-intake goal (less than or equal to 300 mg/d) was met by 39% of men and 64% of women during the 24-h period surveyed.