Applying dietary reference intakes (DRIs) in professional settings

Health care providers, institutions such as hospitals and nursing homes, governments and industry use DRIs to develop nutrition plans and programs for individuals and groups.

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Important principles underlying the DRIs

They are standards for the general population:

They refer to average daily nutrient intake over time:

They are set based on a variety of health indicators and outcomes:

How to apply the DRIs in a professional setting

You can use DRIs to help with a number of different activities, including:

Professionals can refer to 'Applying the Dietary Reference Intakes' for guidance on how to use and interpret the DRI values. This chapter appears in the report, Dietary Reference Intakes: The Essential Guide to Nutrient Requirements, published by the National Academy of Sciences. The full report is available to download in PDF form.

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