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The modern lifestyle has led many people to consume ultra-processed foods, endangering health. Based on this perspective, this article aimed to identify changes in dietary habits in two rural communities in the Brazilian semiarid region from the isotopic composition of carbon and nitrogen in samples of nails. Interviews were conducted through a questionnaire addressing food intake by 24h recall method and food frequency. Also, interviewees’ fingernail samples were collected in order to analyze isotope ratios of carbon and nitrogen. It was observed that rural communities are ingesting the same food consumed in the urban centers, suggesting a change in the dietary patterns. The rural communities are depending on buying food in supermarkets and on limitations in food production. This situation contributes decisively to replace the locally produced foods for processed products.