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Age- and Sex-Appropriate Macronutrient and
Micronutrient Recommended Daily Intakes
➤ The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
established Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) in 2005 for various
nutrients. DRIs represent a standardized set of reference values
for nutrient intakes in healthy individuals, which vary based on
age and sex.
➤ The following reference values are included:
• Recommended dietary allowance (RDA): Average daily level
of intake suff icient to meet the nutrient requirements of
nearly all (97% to 98%) healthy individuals (see Macronutrient
Recommended Daily Allowances f igure).
• Adequate intake: Intake ensures nutritional adequacy; established
when evidence is insuff icient to develop an RDA.
• Estimated average requirement: Average daily level of intake
estimated to meet the requirements of 50% of healthy individuals.
• Tolerable upper intake level: Maximum daily intake unlikely to
cause adverse health effects.
Macronutrient Recommended Daily Allowances
Macronutrient RDA
Carbohydrate ≥130 grams per day
Fat ≥30 grams per day
Protein 0.8 to 2.0 grams/kg/day depending upon age, gender,
physical activity, and overall health
