DIETARY REFERENCE VALUES (DRVs)

DRVs for fat as a percentage of food energy (calories)

  Population average
Saturated fatty acids 11.0
Cis monounsaturated fatty acids 13
Cis polyunsaturated fatty acids 6.5
Trans fatty acids 2.0
Total fatty acids 32.5
Equivalent to total fat 35

Protein

RNIs (grams/day) for protein

AGE Males Females
11-14 years 42.1 41.2
15-18 years 55.2 45.0
19-50 years 55.5 45.0
50+ years 53.3 46.5

DRVs for carbohydrates for adults as a percentage of food energy (calories)

  Population average
Non-milk extrinsic sugars (NMES) 11%
Intrinsic sugars, milk sugars and starches 39%
Total carbohydrate 50%

Vitamins

RNIs for vitamins

AGE Thiamin
mg/day
Riboflavin
mg/day
Niacin
(nicotinic acid
equivalent mg/day)
Vit B6 Vit B12 Folate Vit C Vit A Vit D*
MALES                  
11-14 years 0.9 1.2 15 1.2 1.2 200 35 600 -
15-28 years 1.1 1.3 18 1.5 1.5 200 40 700 -
19-50 years 1.0 1.3 17 1.4 1.5 200 40 700 -
51-64 years 0.9 1.3 16 1.4 1.5 200 40 700 -
65+ years 0.9 1.3 16 1.4 1.5 200 40 700 10

FEMALES

                 
11-14 years 0.7 1.1 12 1.0 1.2 200 35 600 -
15-18 years 0.8 1.1 14 1.2 1.5 200 40 600 -
19-50 years 0.8 1.1 13 1.2 1.5 200 40 600 -
51-64 years 0.8 1.1 12 1.2 1.5 200 40 600 -
65+ years 0.8 1.1 12 1.2 1.5 200 40 600 10

Additional amounts to be added to RNI for pregnant and breast feeding women**

(These figures should be added to those above)

Pregnancy 0.1 0.3 0 0 0 100** 10 100 10
Breast- Feeding 0.2 0.5 2 0 0.5 60 30 350 10

*Vitamin D is made in the skin when it is exposed to sunlight. Providing the skin is exposed sufficiently to the sun, there is no need for dietary vitamin D in adults. People who do not get enough exposure to the sun may need extra.

**Women who are planning (to be or are) pregnant need an additional supplement of 400 mcg/day of folic acid. A supplement should be taken up until the end of the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. This amount is in addition to the RNI of pregnant women.

Safe daily intakes - Vitamins

Vitamin K Vitamin E   Pantothenic acid Biotin
Adults 1 mcg/kg body weight Men above 4 mg Adults 3-7 mg 10-200 mcg
Infants 10 mcg Women above 3 mg

Infants 1.7 mg

 
  Infants 0.4 mg/g of poly-unsaturated fatty acids    

Minerals

RNIs for minerals

Age calcium
Mg/day
phosphorus
mg/day
magnesium
mg/day
sodium
mg/day
potassium
mg/day
chloride
mg/day
iron
mg/day
zinc
mg/day
copper
mg/day
selenium
mcg/day
iodine
mcg/day
Males                      
11-14 years 1000 775 280 1600 3100 2500 11.3 9.0 0.8 45 130
15-18 years 1000 775 300 1600 3500 2500 11.3 9.5 1.0 70 140
19-50 years 700 550 300 1600 3500 2500 8.7 9.5 1.2 75 140
50+ years 700 550 300 1600 3500 2500 8.7 9.5 1.2 75 140
Females                      
11-14 years 800 625 280 1600 3100 2500 14.8 9.0 0.8 45 130
15-18 years 800 625 300 1600 3500 2500 14.8 7.0 1.0 60 140
19-50 years 700 550 270 1600 3500 2500 14.8 7.0 1.2 60 140
50+ years 700 550 270 1600 3500 2500 8.7 7.0 1.2 60 140

Additional amounts to be added to RNI for pregnant and breast feeding women

Pregnancy 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Breast feeding 0-4 months 550 440 50 0 0 0 0 6.0 0.3 15 0
Breast feeding 4+ months 550 440 50 0 0 0 0 2.5 0.3 15 0