Dietary reference intakes tables: Reference values for macronutrients

Saturated fatty acids: As low as possible while consuming a nutritionally adequate diet
Trans fatty acids: As low as possible while consuming a nutritionally adequate diet
Dietary cholesterol: As low as possible while consuming a nutritionally adequate diet
Added sugars: Limit to no more than 25% of total energy
- Although there were insufficient data to set a UL for added sugars, this maximal intake level is suggested to prevent the displacement of foods that are major sources of essential micronutrients.

Protein quality scoring pattern (age 1 year and older)

Amino acid	Recommended pattern: mg/g protein
Histidine	18
Isoleucine	25
Leucine	55
Lysine	51
Methionine + Cysteine	25
Phenylalanine + Tyrosine	47
Threonine	27
Tryptophan	7
Valine	32
Reference amino acid pattern for use in evaluating the quality of food proteins using the protein digestibility corrected amino acid score (PDCAAS). Based on estimated average requirements for both indispensable amino acids and for total protein for 1 to 3 year olds.

Reference values for Carbohydrate (Digestible), Total Protein, Total Fat, Linoleic Acid (n-6), α-linolenic Acid (n-3), Total Fibre, and Total Water
Age	Carbohydrate (Digestible)			Total Protein^{Table 1 footnote 30}				Total Fat		Linoleic Acid (n-6)		α-linolenic Acid (n-3)		Total Fibre^{Table 1 footnote 32}		Total Water^{Table 1 footnote 34}
Age	EAR g/day	RDA/AI g/day	UL^{Table 1 footnote 29} g/day	EAR g/kg/day	RDA/AI g/kg/day	RDA/AI g/day ^{Table 1 footnote 31}	UL^{Table 1 footnote 29} g/day ^{Table 1 footnote 31}	AI g/day	UL^{Table 1 footnote 29} g/day	AI g/day	UL^{Table 1 footnote 29} g/day	AI g/day	UL^{Table 1 footnote 29} g/day	AI^{Table 1 footnote 33} g/day	UL^{Table 1 footnote 29} g/day	AI Litres/day	UL^{Table 1 footnote 29} Litres/day
Infants
0–6 mo	ND	60^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND	ND	1.52^{Table 1 footnote *}	9.1^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND	31^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND	4.4^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND	0.5^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND	ND	ND	0.7^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND
7–12 mo	ND	95^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND	1.0	1.2	11.0	ND	30^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND	4.6^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND	0.5^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND	ND	ND	0.8^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND
Children
1–3 y	100	130	ND	0.87	1.05	13	ND	ND	ND	7^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND	0.7^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND	19^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND	1.3^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND
4–8 y	100	130	ND	0.76	0.95	19	ND	ND	ND	10^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND	0.9^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND	25^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND	1.7^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND
Males
9–13 y	100	130	ND	0.76	0.95	34	ND	ND	ND	12^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND	1.2^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND	31^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND	2.4^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND
14–18 y	100	130	ND	0.73	0.85	52	ND	ND	ND	16^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND	1.6^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND	38^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND	3.3^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND
19–30 y	100	130	ND	0.66	0.80	56	ND	ND	ND	17^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND	1.6^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND	38^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND	3.7^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND
31–50 y	100	130	ND	0.66	0.80	56	ND	ND	ND	17^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND	1.6^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND	38^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND	3.7^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND
51–70 y	100	130	ND	0.66	0.80	56	ND	ND	ND	14^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND	1.6^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND	30^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND	3.7^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND
>70 y	100	130	ND	0.66	0.80	56	ND	ND	ND	14^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND	1.6^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND	30^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND	3.7^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND
Females
9–13 y	100	130	ND	0.76	0.95	34	ND	ND	ND	10^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND	1.0^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND	26^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND	2.1^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND
14–18 y	100	130	ND	0.71	0.85	46	ND	ND	ND	11^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND	1.1^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND	26^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND	2.3^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND
19–30 y	100	130	ND	0.66	0.80	46	ND	ND	ND	12^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND	1.1^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND	25^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND	2.7^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND
31–50 y	100	130	ND	0.66	0.80	46	ND	ND	ND	12^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND	1.1^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND	25^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND	2.7^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND
51–70 y	100	130	ND	0.66	0.80	46	ND	ND	ND	11^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND	1.1^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND	21^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND	2.7^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND
>70 y	100	130	ND	0.66	0.80	46	ND	ND	ND	11^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND	1.1^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND	21^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND	2.7^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND
Pregnancy
≤ 18 y	135	175	ND	0.88^{Table 1 footnote i}	1.1^{Table 1 footnote i}	71^{Table 1 footnote i}	ND	ND	ND	13^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND	1.4^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND	28^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND	3.0^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND
19–30 y	135	175	ND	0.88^{Table 1 footnote i}	1.1^{Table 1 footnote i}	71^{Table 1 footnote i}	ND	ND	ND	13^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND	1.4^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND	28^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND	3.0^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND
31–50 y	135	175	ND	0.88^{Table 1 footnote i}	1.1^{Table 1 footnote i}	71^{Table 1 footnote i}	ND	ND	ND	13^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND	1.4^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND	28^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND	3.0^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND
Lactation
≤ 18 y	160	210	ND	1.05	1.3	71	ND	ND	ND	13^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND	1.3^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND	29^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND	3.8^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND
19–30 y	160	210	ND	1.05	1.3	71	ND	ND	ND	13^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND	1.3^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND	29^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND	3.8^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND
31–50 y	160	210	ND	1.05	1.3	71	ND	ND	ND	13^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND	1.3^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND	29^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND	3.8^{Table 1 footnote *}	ND
Table 1 footnote * This table presents Estimated Average Requirements (EARs), Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) in bold type and Adequate Intakes (AIs) in ordinary type followed by an asterisk (). Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (ULs) are in shaded columns. Return to table 1 footnote referrer Table 1 footnote 29 Although a UL was not set for any of the macronutrients, the absence of definitive data does not signify that people can tolerate chronic intakes of these substances at high levels. Return to table 1 footnote 29 referrer Table 1 footnote 30 Available evidence does not support recommending a separate protein requirement for vegetarians who consume complimentary mixtures of plant proteins, as these can provide the same quality of protein as that from animal proteins. Return to table 1 footnote 30 referrer Table 1 footnote 31 Recommendations for total protein are determined as the amount needed per kg body weight multiplied by the reference weight. Return to table 1 footnote 31 referrer Table 1 footnote 32 Total fibre is defined as the sum of dietary fibre and functional fibre. See definitions for further details. Return to table 1 footnote 32 referrer Table 1 footnote 33 The AI for total fibre is based on 14 g/1000 kcal multiplied by the median usual daily energy intake from the Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals (CSFII 1994–1996, 1998). Return to table 1 footnote 33 referrer Table 1 footnote 34 Total water includes drinking water, water in beverages, and water that is part of food. Return to table 1 footnote 34 referrer Table 1 footnote i The EAR and RDA for pregnancy are only for the second half of pregnancy. For the first half of pregnancy, protein requirements are the same as those of the nonpregnant woman. Return to table 1 footnote i referrer Note: These are reference values for normal, apparently healthy individuals eating a typical mixed North American diet. An individual may have physiological, health, or lifestyle characteristics that may require tailoring of specific nutrient values.

Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Ranges (AMDRs)
Males & Females ^{Tableau 2 note de bas de page 35}	Total Carbohydrate Percent of Energy	Total Protein Percent of Energy	Total Fat Percent of Energy	n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (linoleic acid) Percent of Energy	n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (α-linolenic acid) Percent of Energy^{Tableau 2 note de bas de page 36}
1–3 years	45–65%	5–20%	30–40%	5–10%	0.6–1.2%
4–18 years	45–65%	10–30%	25–35%	5–10%	0.6–1.2%
19 years and over	45–65%	10–35%	20–35%	5–10%	0.6–1.2%
Table 2 footnote 35 Includes pregnant and lactating women. Return to table 2 footnote 35 referrer Table 2 footnote 36 Up to 10% of the AMDR can be consumed as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and/or docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Return to table 2 footnote 36 referrer

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Date modified:: 2023-12-18

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