Nutrition Chapter 2 (Nutrient Recommendations

AMDR

Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Ranges are values for carbohydrate, fat, and protein expressed as percentages of total daily caloric intake; ranges of intakes set for the energy-yielding nutrients that are sufficient to provide adequate total energy and nutrients while minimizing the risk of chronic diseases. (DRI)

AI

Adequate Intakes are set by the DRI committee to ensure adequacy in a diet. They are nutrient intake goals for individuals; the recommended average daily nutrient intake level based on intakes of healthy people in a particular life stage and gender group and assumed to be adequate. Set whenever scientific data are insufficient to allow establishment of an RDA value.

DRI

Dietary Reference Intakes are a set of four lists of values for measuring the nutrient intakes of healthy people in the U.S. & Canada. The four lists are: Estimated Average Requirement (EAR), Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA), Adequate Intakes (AI), and Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (UL).

EAR

Estimated Average Requirements are the average daily nutrient intake estimated to meet the requirement of half of healthy individuals in a particular life stage and gender group; used in nutrition research and policy making and is the basis upon which the RDA values are set. (DRI)

Daily Values

Nutrient standards that are printed on food labels and on grocery store and restaurant signs. Based on nutrient and energy recommendations for a general 2,000 calories diet, they allow consumers to compare foods with regard to nutrients and calories contents.

RDA

Recommended Dietary Allowances are set by the DRI committee to ensure adequacy in a diet. They are nutrient intake goals for individuals; the average daily nutrient intake level that meets the needs of nearly all (97%-98%) healthy people in a particular life stage and gender group. Derived from the Estimated Average Requirements (EAR).

UL

Tolerable Upper Intake Levels are the highest average daily nutrient intake level that is likely to pose no risk of toxicity to almost all healthy individuals of a particular life stage and gender group. Usual intake above this level may place an individual at risk of illness from nutrient toxicity. (DRI)