TERMS RELATING TO ENERGY AND NUTRIENT INTAKES

Recommended Daily Intakes of Nutrients for the United Kingdom.

Recommended Daily Amounts of Food Energy and Nutrients for Groups of People in the United Kingdom.

Dietary Reference Value. A term used to cover LRNI, EAR, RNI and Safe intake.

Estimated Average Requirement of a group of people for energy or protein or a vitamin or mineral. About half will usually need more than the EAR, and half less.

Lower Reference Nutrient Intake for protein or a vitamin or mineral. An amount of the nutrient that is enough for only the few people in a group who have low needs.

Reference Nutrient Intake for protein or a vitamin or mineral. An amount of the nutrient that is enough, or more than enough, for about 97% of people in a group. If average intake of a group is at RNI, then the risk of deficiency in the group is small.

A term used to indicate intake or range of intakes of a nutrient for which there is not enough information to estimate RNI, EAR or LRNI. It is an amount that is enough for almost everyone but not so large as to cause undesirable effects.

An amount at which undesirable or toxic effects may occur.

With the exception of protein, and unlike vitamins and minerals, RNIs, EARs, LRNIs and Safe intakes were not set for the food energies (or alcohol). Instead the average percentage that each may contribute to the EAR for total energy (Calories) was set. The AVG figures in grams are calculated using these percentages and the conversion factors:-

Carbohydrate	3.75 kcal/gram
Fat	9 kcal/gram
Protein	4 kcal/gram
Alcohol	7 kcal/gram

eg. Using the average weight and physical activity levels, the EAR for energy for men aged between 19 and 50 is 2550 Calories (kcal) and the DRV percentage contribution from total fat for non drinkers is 35%. Therefore the average contribution in grams equals:-
35% of 2550Kcal = 892.5 kcal.
Divided by 9 = 99.2 grams.
NOTE - This is not an EAR.
The actual requirement for fat, to supply essential fatty acids, is much less than 99.2 grams. It is a desirable contribution to total energy that is more than enough to supply the nutrients required but not so much as to cause undesirable effects, all other factors being met. This is with the exception of protein, where for some groups the AVG is in fact higher than the excess amount. See help on Protein for more details.

The 'Flags' column shows when an unknown quantity of a nutrient has arisen. The flag comprises of a 'U' for unknown, followed by the number of foods that have an unknown quantity of that nutrient. You can see which foods have unknown quantities by using the Individual Food Contributions facility.