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What are Dietary Reference Intakes?
For a person to receive the correct amount of daily nutrients, it can be important that he or she knows the correct dietary reference intakes (DRI) 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. Generally, the DRI is comprised of several different reference values by which one can determine his or her nutrient needs.
When many people hear the words dietary reference intakes, they may only think of vitamins and minerals, how much they need, whether they should take supplements, and how to avoid mineral or vitamin poisoning. The DRI, however, refers to all nutrients, from how much food and water a person should consume daily to the amounts of calcium, B-vitamins, and vitamin C he or she needs to stay active and healthy. Recommended dietary allowance (RDA) is a more common term that is often used by doctors and registered dieticians to determine vitamin and mineral needs for an individual. This is a value system set to satisfy the nutritional requirements of 97 to 98 percent of the population of a specific group based on age and gender.
The dietary reference intakes are set primarily to prevent undernourishment. These guidelines influence not only individual diets but the practices of certain types of food manufacturers. For example, white bread manufacturers were at one time completely removing vital nutrients from their bread products in order to improve texture. Thanks to increased attention on the 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 prevalent.
Dietary reference intakes are not to be confused with the nutritional labeling values found on most packaged foods. These daily values (DV) are denoted by the characteristic phrase, "Based on a 2,000 Calorie Diet." The DV do not take into account the gender or age of the individual in its values and should, therefore, be used as a casual reference guide only.
People interested in learning the specific values of vitamins, minerals, water, and food, which are comprised of carbohydrates, lipids, and protein, should familiarize him- or herself with the dietary reference intakes. Since the DRI is made up of several different value systems, it may be necessary to consult a registered dietician or a nutritionist that is certified in nutritional counseling. These professionals typically can design an eating plan that will ensure that all necessary nutrients are covered in an individual's diet and determine if vitamin or mineral supplements are necessary.
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![Dietary reference intakes allow people to take in the correct amounts of nutrients.]()
By: FedeCandoniPhotoDietary reference intakes allow people to take in the correct amounts of nutrients. -
![One or two pieces of citrus fruits typically contain the daily recommended allowance of vitamin C.]()
By: dream79One or two pieces of citrus fruits typically contain the daily recommended allowance of vitamin C. -
![A nutritionist or dietician can help a person ascertain if she needs to take dietary supplements.]()
By: Nenov BrothersA nutritionist or dietician can help a person ascertain if she needs to take dietary supplements. -
![Dietary reference intakes can influence the diet of an individual.]()
By: Igor MojzesDietary reference intakes can influence the diet of an individual. -
![A low lipid diet should cooincide with exercise.]()
By: Monkey BusinessA low lipid diet should cooincide with exercise. -
![Foods such as beans and corn are considered complimentary sources of dietary protein that also provide other nutrients such as fiber and carbohydrates.]()
By: Ðиколай ÐÑигоÑÑевFoods such as beans and corn are considered complimentary sources of dietary protein that also provide other nutrients such as fiber and carbohydrates.
Discussion Comments
Development organizations that work in impoverished areas of the world where there are a lot of under-nourished people are familiar with dietary reference intakes. They also make and give out special food items with the necessary daily nutrition intakes. These are mostly used for malnourished children. These literally save lives.
I don't understand fortified bread at all. They first remove all the beneficial nutrients from the bread by basically over-processing flour. And then they add back artificial vitamins and minerals and sell it as vitamin fortified bread.
There is an easier way to make nutritious, healthy bread. Don't strip the flour of the fiber! Leave it whole wheat. That's all that needs to be done.
I don't buy vitamin fortified white bread. I buy whole wheat bread which is the real stuff.
So dietary reference intakes are different from both recommended dietary allowance and daily values. I guess recommended dietary allowance just accounts for adults or children and males and females. It doesn't account for weight.
I have used the recommended dietary allowance chart many times, for vitamins as the article said. But I've not used a dietary reference intakes chart before. I want to use it though because it seems to be more specific and accurate. I've been wanting to know what my ideal intake of water is for some time now anyway. Thanks for the information.
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