Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI)

he Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI) include two sets of values that serve as goals for nutrient intakeRecommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) and
Adequate Intakes (AI). The RDA reflect the average daily amount of a nutrient considered adequate to meet the needs of most healthy people. If there
is insufficient evidence to determine an RDA, an AI is set. The DRI include a set of values called Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (UL). The UL represent the
maximum amount of a nutrient that appears safe for most healthy people to consume on a regular basis. Turn the page for a listing of the UL for selected
vitamins and minerals and the AMDR values for macronutrient intake.

Males
00.5
0.51
13g
48g
913
1418
1930
3150
"50

Re

Age (yr)

fer
(kg enc
/m 2 e BM
)
I
Re
fer
cm enc
(in e he
)
igh
t,
Re
fer
kg enc
(lb e w
eig
)
ht
,
Wa
ter a
AI
(L/
da
y)
En
erg
EE y
Rb
(kc
al/
Ca
da
y)
rb
RD ohyd
A(
r
g/ ate
da
To
y)
tal
fi
AI
b
(g er
/d
ay
)
To
tal
f
a
AI
(g t
/d
ay
)
Lin
ole
i
AI
c
(g acid
/d
ay
)
Lin
ole
n
AI
(g ic ac
/d
ay id c
)
Pro
tei
n
RD
A(
g/
da
Pro
y) d
tei
n
RD
A(
g/
kg
/d
ay
)

Estimated Energy Requirements (EER), Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA), and

Adequate Intakes (AI) for
Water, Energy, and the Macronutrients

15.3
17.2
20.5
22.5

62 (24)
71 (28)
86 (34)
115 (45)
144 (57)
174 (68)
177 (70)

6 (13)
9 (20)
12 (27)
20 (44)
36 (79)
61 (134)
70 (154)

0.7e
0.8f
1.3
1.7
2.4
3.3
3.7
3.7
3.7

570
743
1046
1742
2279
3152h
3067h
3067h
3067h

60
95
130
130
130
130
130
130
130

19
25
31
38
38
38
30

31
30

4.4
4.6
7
10
12
16
17
17
14

0.5
0.5
0.7
0.9
1.2
1.6
1.6
1.6
1.6

9.1
11
13
19
34
52
56
56
56

1.52
1.2
1.05
0.95
0.95
0.85
0.8
0.8
0.8

15.3
17.4
20.4
21.5

62 (24)
71 (28)
86 (34)
115 (45)
144 (57)
163 (64)
163 (64)

6 (13)
9 (20)
12 (27)
20 (44)
37 (81)
54 (119)
57 (126)

0.7e
0.8f
1.3
1.7
2.1
2.3
2.7
2.7
2.7

520
676
992
1642
2071
2368
2403i
2403i
2403i

60
95
130
130
130
130
130
130
130

19
25
26
26
25
25
21

31
30

4.4
4.6
7
10
10
11
12
12
11

0.5
0.5
0.7
0.9
1.0
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.1

9.1
11
13
19
34
46
46
46
46

1.52
1.2
1.05
0.95
0.95
0.85
0.8
0.8
0.8

Pregnancy
1st trimester
2nd trimester
3rd trimester

3.0
3.0
3.0

#0
#340
#452

175
175
175

28
28
28

13
13
13

1.4
1.4
1.4

#25
#25
#25

1.1
1.1
1.1

Lactation
1st 6 months
2nd 6 months

3.8
3.8

#330
#400

210
210

29
29

13
13

1.3
1.3

#25
#25

1.3
1.3

Females
00.5
0.51
13g
48g
913
1418
1930
3150
"50

NOTE: For all nutrients, values for infants are AI. Dashes indicate that values have not been
determined.
a
The water AI includes drinking water, water in beverages, and water in foods; in general,
drinking water and other beverages contribute about 70 to 80 percent, and foods, the
remainder. Conversion factors: 1 L ! 33.8 fluid oz; 1 L ! 1.06 qt; 1 cup ! 8 fluid oz.
b
The Estimated Energy Requirement (EER) represents the average dietary energy intake that
will maintain energy balance in a healthy person of a given sex, age, weight, height, and
physical activity level. The values listed are based on an active person at the reference
height and weight and at the midpoint ages for each group until age 19. Chapter 2 and Appendix B provide equations and tables to determine Estimated Energy Requirements.

c
The linolenic acid referred to in this table and text is the omega-3 fatty acid known as
alpha-linolenic acid.
d
The values listed are based on reference body weights.
e
Assumed to be from human milk.
f
Assumed to be from human milk and complementary foods and beverages. This includes
approximately 0.6 L (~3 cups) as total fluid including formula, juices, and drinking water.
g
For energy, the age groups for young children are 12 years and 38 years.
h
For males, subtract 10 kcalories per day for each year of age above 19.
i
For females, subtract 7 kcalories per day for each year of age above 19.

SOURCE: Adapted from the Dietary Reference Intakes series, National Academies Press. Copyright 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, by the National Academy of Sciences.

Th
ia
RD min
A(
mg
/d
Rib
ay
)
o
RD flavi
A( n
mg
/d
Ni
ay
ac
)
RD in
A(
mg
/d
Bio
ay a
)
tin
AI
(#
g/
da
y)
Pa
nt
o
t
AI
h
(m eni
g/ c a
da cid
y)
Vit
am
i
RD n
A ( B6
mg
/d
Fo
ay
lat
)
e
RD
A(
g
/d
ay b
Vit
)
am
RD in
A ( B1
g 2
/d
ay
Ch
)
oli
n
AI
e
(m
g/
da
y)
Vit
am
RD in
A( C
mg
/d
Vit
ay
am
)
RD in
A( A
g
/d
ay c
Vit
)
am
in
AI
(g D
/d
ay d
)
Vit
am
RD in
A( E
mg
/d
Vit
ay e
)
am
in
AI
(g K
/d
ay
)

Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) and Adequate Intakes (AI) for Vitamins

Age (yr)
Infants
00.5
0.51
Children
13
48
Males
913
1418
1930
3150
5170
!70
Females
913
1418
1930
3150
5170
!70
Pregnancy
18
1930
3150
Lactation
18
1930
3150

0.2
0.3

0.3
0.4

2
4

5
6

1.7
1.8

0.1
0.3

65
80

0.4
0.5

125
150

40
50

400
500

5
5

4
5

0.5
0.6

0.5
0.6

6
8

0.9
1.2
1.2
1.2
1.2
1.2

0.9
1.3
1.3
1.3
1.3
1.3

0.9
1.0
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.1

8
12

2
3

0.5
0.6

150
200

0.9
1.2

200
250

15
25

300
400

5
5

6
7

30
55

12
16
16
16
16
16

20
25
30
30
30
30

4
5
5
5
5
5

1.0
1.3
1.3
1.3
1.7
1.7

300
400
400
400
400
400

1.8
2.4
2.4
2.4
2.4
2.4

375
550
550
550
550
550

45
75
90
90
90
90

600
900
900
900
900
900

5
5
5
5
10
15

11
15
15
15
15
15

60
75
120
120
120
120

0.9
1.0
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.1

12
14
14
14
14
14

20
25
30
30
30
30

4
5
5
5
5
5

1.0
1.2
1.3
1.3
1.5
1.5

300
400
400
400
400
400

1.8
2.4
2.4
2.4
2.4
2.4

375
400
425
425
425
425

45
65
75
75
75
75

600
700
700
700
700
700

5
5
5
5
10
15

11
15
15
15
15
15

60
75
90
90
90
90

1.4
1.4
1.4

1.4
1.4
1.4

18
18
18

30
30
30

6
6
6

1.9
1.9
1.9

600
600
600

2.6
2.6
2.6

450
450
450

80
85
85

750
770
770

5
5
5

15
15
15

75
90
90

1.4
1.4
1.4

1.6
1.6
1.6

17
17
17

35
35
35

7
7
7

2.0
2.0
2.0

500
500
500

2.8
2.8
2.8

550
550
550

115
120
120

1200
1300
1300

5
5
5

19
19
19

75
90
90

NOTE: For all nutrients, values for infants are AI.

a
Niacin recommendations are expressed as niacin equivalents (NE), except for recommendations for
infants younger than 6 months, which are expressed as preformed niacin.
b
Folate recommendations are expressed as dietary folate equivalents (DFE).

2.0
2.5

Vitamin A recommendations are expressed as retinol activity equivalents (RAE).

Vitamin D recommendations are expressed as cholecalciferol.
Vitamin E recommendations are expressed as "-tocopherol.

d
e

Age (yr)
Infants
00.5
0.51
Children
13
48
Males
913
1418
1930
3150
5170
!70
Females
913
1418
1930
3150
5170
!70
Pregnancy
18
1930
3150
Lactation
18
ES3
1930
3150

So
di
AI um
(m
g/
da
y)
Ch
lor
AI ide
(m
g/
da
y)
Po
tas
AI siu
(m m
g/
da
y)
Ca
lci
u
m
AI
(m
g/
da
y)
Ph
os
RD pho
A ( rus
mg
/d
Ma
ay
)
gn
RD esi
A ( um
mg
/d
Iro
ay
n
)
RD
A(
mg
/d
Zin
ay
c
)
RD
A(
mg
/d
Iod
ay
ine
)
RD
A(
g
/d
Se
ay
)
le
RD nium
A(
g
/d
Co
ay
)
pp
RD er
A(
g
/d
Ma
ay
)
ng
AI ane
(m
se
g/
da
y)
Flu
or
AI ide
(m
g/
da
y)
Ch
ro
m
AI
i
u
( g m
/d
ay
Mo
)
lyb
RD de
A ( nu
g m
/d
ay
)

Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) and Adequate Intakes (AI) for Minerals

120
370

180
570

400
700

210
270

100
275

30
75

0.27
11

2
3

110
130

15
20

200
220

0.003
0.6

0.01
0.5

1000
1200

1500
1900

3000
3800

500
800

460
500

1500
1500
1500
1500
1300
1200

2300
2300
2300
2300
2000
1800

4500
4700
4700
4700
4700
4700

1300
1300
1000
1000
1200
1200

1500
1500
1500
1500
1300
1200

2300
2300
2300
2300
2000
1800

4500
4700
4700
4700
4700
4700

1500
1500
1500

2300
2300
2300

1500
1500
1500

2300
2300
2300

0.2
5.5

2
3

80
130

7
10

3
5

90
90

20
30

340
440

1.2
1.5

0.7
1.0

11
15

17
22

1250
1250
700
700
700
700

240
410
400
420
420
420

8
11
8
8
8
8

8
11
11
11
11
11

120
150
150
150
150
150

40
55
55
55
55
55

700
890
900
900
900
900

1.9
2.2
2.3
2.3
2.3
2.3

2
3
4
4
4
4

25
35
35
35
30
30

34
43
45
45
45
45

1300
1300
1000
1000
1200
1200

1250
1250
700
700
700
700

240
360
310
320
320
320

8
15
18
18
8
8

8
9
8
8
8
8

120
150
150
150
150
150

40
55
55
55
55
55

700
890
900
900
900
900

1.6
1.6
1.8
1.8
1.8
1.8

2
3
3
3
3
3

21
24
25
25
20
20

34
43
45
45
45
45

4700
4700
4700

1300
1000
1000

1250
700
700

400
350
360

27
27
27

12
11
11

220
220
220

60
60
60

1000
1000
1000

2.0
2.0
2.0

3
3
3

29
30
30

50
50
50

5100
5100
5100

1300
1000
1000

1250
700
700

360
310
320

10
9
9

13
12
12

290
290
290

70
70
70

1300
1300
1300

2.6
2.6
2.6

3
3
3

44
45
45

50
50
50

Ni
ac
(m in
g/
da
y) a
Vit
am
(m in
g/ B6
da
y)
Fo
lat
(g e
/d
ay a
)
Ch
oli
(m ne
g/
da
y)
Vit
am
(m in C
g/
da
y)
Vit
am
(g in A
/d
ay b
)
Vit
am
(g in
/d D
ay
)
Vit
am
(m in
g/ E
da
y) c

Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (UL) for Vitamins

Age (yr)
Infants
00.5
0.51
Children
13
48
Adolescents
913
1418
Adults
1970
"70
Pregnancy
18
1950
Lactation
18
1950

600
600

25
25

10
15

30
40

300
400

1000
1000

400
650

600
900

50
50

200
300

20
30

60
80

600
800

2000
3000

1200
1800

1700
2800

50
50

600
800

35
35

100
100

1000
1000

3500
3500

2000
2000

3000
3000

50
50

1000
1000

30
35

80
100

800
1000

3000
3500

1800
2000

2800
3000

50
50

800
1000

30
35

80
100

800
1000

3000
3500

1800
2000

2800
3000

50
50

800
1000

The UL for niacin and folate apply to synthetic forms obtained

from supplements, fortified foods, or a combination of the
two.

The UL for vitamin A applies to the preformed vitamin only.

The UL for vitamin E applies to any form of supplemental
!-tocopherol, fortified foods, or a combination of the two.

b
c

Age (yr)
Infants
00.5
0.51
Children
13
48
Adolescents
913
1418
Adults
1970
"70
Pregnancy
18
1950
Lactation
18
1950
d
e

So
di
(m um
g/
da
y)
Ch
lor
i
(m de
g/
da
y)
Ca
lci
(m um
g/
da
y)
Ph
os
(m pho
g/ rus
da
y)
Ma
gn
(m esi
g/ um
da
y) d
Iro
n
(m
g/
da
y) b
Zin
c
(m
g/
da
y)
Iod
ine
(g
/d
ay
)
Se
len
i
(g um
/d
ay
)
Co
p
(g per
/d
ay
)
Ma
ng
(m an
g/ ese
da
y)
Flu
or
(m ide
g/
da
y)
Mo
lyb
(g de
/d num
ay
)
Bo
ro
n
(m
g/
da
y)
Ni
cke
(m l
g/
da
y)

Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (UL) for Minerals

e
e

e
e

40
40

4
5

45
60

0.7
0.9

1500
1900

2300
2900

2500
2500

3000
3000

65
110

40
40

7
12

200
300

90
150

1000
3000

2
3

1.3
2.2

300
600

3
6

0.2
0.3

2200
2300

3400
3600

2500
2500

4000
4000

350
350

40
45

23
34

600
900

280
400

5000
8000

6
9

10
10

1100
1700

11
17

0.6
1.0

2300
2300

3600
3600

2500
2500

4000
3000

350
350

45
45

40
40

1100
1100

400
400

10,000
10,000

11
11

10
10

2000
2000

20
20

1.0
1.0

2300
2300

3600
3600

2500
2500

3500
3500

350
350

45
45

34
40

900
1100

400
400

8000
10,000

9
11

10
10

1700
2000

17
20

1.0
1.0

2300
2300

3600
3600

2500
2500

4000
4000

350
350

45
45

34
40

900
1100

400
400

8000
10,000

9
11

10
10

1700
2000

17
20

1.0
1.0

The UL for magnesium applies to synthetic forms obtained from supplements or drugs only.
Source of intake should be from human milk (or formula) and food only.

NOTE: An Upper Limit was not established for vitamins and minerals not listed and for those age
groups listed with a dash () because of a lack of data, not because these nutrients are safe to
consume at any level of intake. All nutrients can have adverse effects when intakes are excessive.

SOURCE: Adapted with permission from the Dietary Reference Intakes series, National Academies
Press. Copyright 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, by the National Academy of Sciences. Courtesy of the
National Academies Press, Washington, D.C.

Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Ranges (AMDR)

Range (percent of energy)
Macronutrient
Fat
#-6 polyunsaturated acidsa
(linoleic acid)
#-3 polyunsaturated fatty acidsa
(linolenic acid)
Carbohydrate
Protein
a

Children,
13 years

Children,
418 years

Adults
19$ years

3040
510

2535
510510

2035

0.61.2

0.61.2

0.61.2

4565
520

4565
1030

4565
1035

Approximately 10% of the total can come from longer-chain #-3 or #-6 fatty acids.

SOURCE: Adapted from Institute of Medicine, Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy, Carbohydrate, Fiber, Fat, Fatty Acids, Cholesterol, Protein, and Amino Acids, National Academies Press; Washington, D.C., 2005.