In this paper, cross-sectional data from Egyptian households are used to estimate a food demand system. Such a system provides useful information and parameters to be used fro simulating outcomes of alternative reforms, in order to evaluate the economics, politic and technical feasibility of policies targeted to improving the welfare of the poor, reducing infant mortality and malnutrition, and promoting social equity. In particular words, a food demand analysis, with its purpose to estimate income elasticities, own-price elasticities and cross-price elasticities of the most important food aggregates, is required to understand the path a public policy reform should undertake to induce people to direct their consumption targets towards those foods whose nutrients are high and necessary in their diet, increasing their welfare.