The present study constitutes an analysis of the diets of children of low socioeconomic level in the rural area of two Central American countries to specifically determine whether these typical diets are deficient in their content of biologically utilizable protein. The study confirmed that the calorie deficit is of a greater magnitude than that of protein. The estimates of NDpCal%, that is, of the biologically utilizable protein expressed as percent of the total calories, allow to conclude that when these diets, bases predominantly on a combination of a cereal and a legume seed, are consumed in sufficient amounts to meet calorie requirements, there is no protein problem. It is proposed that the approaches to improve the calorie-protein nutritional status be based on previous analysis similar to the one undertaken in the present work. The costly supplementation of diets with "protein-rich" foods or the adoption of similar measures, are not justified except when diets have an unduly low NDpCal%. In the case of the populations studied, the recommended action is to increase the consumption of the existing diets as such, or even a predominantly calorie supplementation when their NDpCal% is higher than needed. These last measures would seem more feasible and less costly. The fact that the increased losses of nutrients due to infection cannot be compensated solely with protein is also stressed.