A sample of the WIC population in Illinois during FY 1978 was surveyed by using a 24-hour dietary recall system developed at a midwestern university. The reported dietary intakes of pregnant women who were visiting a WIC clinic for the first time were compared with those of women who had already been using WIC supplemental foods for at least six months. Reported dietary intakes were analyzed for nutrient consumption in terms of RDA, nutrient density of the diets, and frequency of use of specific WIC-approved foods. This study demonstrated that those pregnant women participating in the WIC supplemental food program had significantly higher intakes of nutrients and energy than those not participating in the WIC program. When kilocalories were controlled for, there was no significant difference in the nutrient composition of the diets reported by the two groups. The reported diets did not become more nutrient dense with receipt of the WIC food package, although the WIC participants did use more of the WIC-approved foods.