Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) provide the prescribed amount of six essential nutrients for human life. The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) is used to determine an individual’s vitamin and mineral needs. DRIs are established to prevent malnutrition and should not be confused with Daily Values (DVs) found on packaged foods. Consulting a registered dietitian or certified nutritionist may be necessary to ensure all necessary nutrients are covered in an individual’s diet.
In order for a person to receive the correct amount of nutrients daily, it may be important for him or her to know the correct Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) based on age, weight, and gender. The Dietary Reference Intakes provide a prescribed amount of the six classes of nutrients essential for human life, namely carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and water. In general, the DRI is made up of several different reference values by which one can determine their nutrient needs.
When many people hear the words dietary reference intakes, they only think of vitamins and minerals, how much they need, whether to take supplements, and how to avoid mineral or vitamin poisoning. However, the DRI refers to all nutrients, from the amount of food and water a person should consume each day to the amounts of calcium, B vitamins, and vitamin C that a person needs to stay active and healthy. The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) is a more common term that doctors and registered dietitians often use to determine an individual’s vitamin and mineral needs. This is a value system established to satisfy the nutritional requirements of 97 to 98 percent of the population of a specific age and gender group.
Dietary Reference Intakes are established primarily to prevent malnutrition. These guidelines influence not only individual diets but also the practices of certain types of food manufacturers. For example, white bread makers have completely removed vital nutrients from their bread products to improve texture. Thanks to an increased focus on dietary reference intakes, most modern bread is fortified with the vitamins and minerals that are removed during the bread-making process. This prevents the dangerous vitamin imbalances that were once quite common.
Dietary Reference Intakes should not be confused with nutrition label values found on most packaged foods. These Daily Values (DVs) are denoted by the signature phrase, “Based on a 2,000 calorie diet.” The DV does not take into account the gender or age of the individual in its values and therefore should be used only as an informal reference guide.
People interested in learning the specific values of vitamins, minerals, water, and foods, which are composed of carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins, should become familiar with the Dietary Reference Intakes. Since the DRI is made up of several different value systems, it may be necessary to consult a registered dietitian or certified nutritionist for nutritional advice. These professionals can usually design an eating plan that ensures all necessary nutrients are covered in an individual’s diet and determines whether vitamin or mineral supplements are necessary.
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