Nutritional Adequacy of Diets for Adolescents with Overweight and Obesity: Considerations

Nutritional adequacy of diets for adolescents with overweight and obesity: considerations for dietetic practice

Natalie B Listera,b, Megan L Gowa,b, Kerryn Chisholma, Alicia Grunseita, Sarah P Garnetta,b, Louise A Baura,b

a The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, Australia

b Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia

Corresponding author information:

Natalie B Lister (e) (t) +61-2-9845-3146 (f) +61-2-9845-3170

Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia

Institute of Endocrinology and Diabetes, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead,

Locked Bag 4001, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia

SupplementaryTable 1: Dietary Guidelines 7 day meal plan

Dietary Guidelines / Food / Amount (g)
Day 1
Breakfast / Bread mixed grain / 80
Egg, Whole egg, without omega 3, boiled / 40
Apple, fresh, red, skin eaten / 170
Yoghurt, natural, reduced fat / 200
Water, tap / 400
Margarine, Other brands, polyunsaturated, regular fat, reduced salt / 20
Morning tea / Crumpets, wholemeal, toasted, packaged / 25
Honey / 15
Margarine, Other brands, polyunsaturated, reduced fat (50-60% fat), reduced salt / 15
Lunch / Bread mixed grain / 80
Cheese, Swiss, block / 40
Orange, whole / 130
Lettuce, iceberg / 70
Tomato, raw / 30
Beetroot, canned / 30
Water, tap / 400
Afternoon tea / Vita Weat, 9 Grain, Sandwich Size / 40
Vegemite, original / 8
Dinner / mince, Beef, extra lean mince, boiled / 140
Broccoli, boiled / 90
Zucchini, boiled / 80
Onion, brown, fried / 20
Tomato, canned, plain, No added salt, not drained / 100
Pasta, plain boiled pasta, wholemeal pasta / 200
Water, tap / 400
Supper / Milk, cow, ready to drink, skim milk / 350
MiloTM / 20
Day 2
Breakfast / crumpets_ / 100
Honey / 20
Apple, fresh, red, skin eaten / 170
Water, tap / 400
Morning tea / Yoghurt, natural, fat free / 200
Carrot, regular, raw / 60
Cheese, Swiss, block / 40
Celery, raw / 60
Water, tap / 400
Lunch / Breadroll mixed grain / 80
Orange, whole / 130
Lettuce, cos / 100
Tuna, canned, in brine, drained / 90
Mayonnaise, commercial, flavoured, reduced fat / 20
Margarine, Other brands, polyunsaturated, reduced fat (50-60% fat), reduced salt / 20
Water, tap / 400
Afternoon tea / English Muffin, fruit, fresh, packaged / 80
Margarine, Other brands, polyunsaturated, reduced fat (50-60% fat), reduced salt / 20
Dinner / Chicken, breast, stir fried, skin not eaten / 130
Cabbage, green, stir fried / 100
Carrot, regular, stir fried, from fresh / 100
Rice, brown, cooked / 160
Sauce, chilli / 20
Water, tap / 400
Supper / Milk, cow, ready to drink, skim milk / 350
MiloTM / 20
Day 3
Breakfast / Cereal, Weetbix, plain / 60
Milk, cow, ready to drink, skim milk / 350
Banana, fresh / 120
Water, tap / 400
Morning tea / Nut, almond, with skin / 30
Yoghurt, natural, fat free / 200
Water, tap / 400
Lunch / Pasta, plain boiled pasta, wholemeal pasta / 150
Onion, brown, stir fried / 20
Celery, cooked / 50
Lentils, brown, canned / 75
Tomato, canned, plain, No added salt, not drained / 50
Water, tap / 400
Afternoon tea / Vita Weat, 9 Grain, regular / 40
Cheese, Swiss, block / 40
Dinner / Pork, fillet, pieces, bbq / 170
Broccoli, boiled / 100
Spinach, steamed / 75
Mushroom, grilled, from fresh / 50
Rice, brown, cooked / 180
Sauce, tomato, packaged, salt reduced / 20
Water, tap / 400
Oil, Canola, Spray / 5
Supper / Orange, whole / 180
Day 4
Breakfast / Cereal, Weetbix, plain / 60
Milk, cow, ready to drink, skim milk / 350
Yoghurt, natural, reduced fat / 200
Mixed berries, fresh / 130
Water, tap / 400
Morning tea / Vita Weat, 9 Grain, regular / 40
Cheese, Swiss, block / 40
Water, tap / 400
Lunch / Breadroll mixed grain / 80
Lettuce, iceberg / 20
Carrot, regular, raw / 30
Tomato, raw / 60
Cucumber, fresh / 40
Salmon, canned, pink, drained / 90
Mayonnaise, commercial, flavoured, reduced fat / 20
Water, tap / 400
Margarine, Other brands, polyunsaturated, reduced fat (50-60% fat), reduced salt / 20
Afternoon tea / Apple, fresh, green, skin eaten / 170
Dinner / mince, Beef, extra lean mince, fried / 85
Pasta, plain boiled pasta, wholemeal pasta / 140
Tomato, canned, plain, No added salt, not drained / 150
Carrot, regular, boiled, from fresh / 50
Onion, brown, boiled / 15
Zucchini, boiled / 50
Water, tap / 400
Supper / Crumpets, wholemeal, toasted, packaged / 50
Peanut butter, light / 20
Day 5
Breakfast / Porridge, plain, without dried fruit, cooked in water / 180
Banana, fresh / 120
Milk, cow, ready to drink, skim milk / 350
Water, tap / 400
Morning tea / Apple, fresh, red, skin eaten / 180
Yoghurt, natural, reduced fat / 200
Water, tap / 400
Lunch / Rice, brown, cooked / 90
Lettuce, iceberg / 20
Carrot, regular, raw / 30
Tomato, raw / 50
Cucumber, fresh / 40
Cheese, Swiss, block / 40
Beetroot, cooked, baked / 80
Mayonnaise, commercial, flavoured, reduced fat / 20
Water, tap / 400
Afternoon tea / English Muffin, fruit, fresh, packaged / 100
Margarine, Other brands, polyunsaturated, reduced fat (50-60% fat), reduced salt / 20
Dinner / Beef, fillet steak, fully-trimmed, grilled / 170
Polenta, cooked / 200
Eggplant, baked / 75
Zucchini, baked / 75
Tomato, roasted / 50
Water, tap / 400
Supper / English Muffin, fruit, fresh, packaged / 50
Margarine, Other brands, monounsaturated, reduced fat (50-60% fat), reduced salt / 10
Day 6
Breakfast / Egg, Whole egg, with omega 3, boiled / 40
Bread mixed grain / 80
Tomato, grilled / 80
Mushroom, grilled, from fresh / 20
Water, tap / 400
Margarine, Other brands, monounsaturated, reduced fat (50-60% fat), reduced salt / 20
Morning tea / Crackers, crispbread, multigrain / 80
Cheese, Swiss, block / 40
Apple, fresh, red, skin eaten / 150
Water, tap / 400
Lunch / Rice, brown, cooked / 100
Tofu, silken, marinated, grilled / 50
Onion, brown, boiled / 20
Celery, cooked / 50
Carrot, regular, microwaved, from fresh / 50
Broccoli, microwaved / 35
Peas, fresh, green, boiled / 30
Water, tap / 400
Afternoon tea / Milk, cow, ready to drink, skim milk / 350
Dinner / Quinoa, cooked in water / 170
Fish, barramundi, baked, not crumbed / 170
Broccoli, boiled / 50
Cabbage, green, microwaved / 50
Mushroom, grilled, from fresh / 30
Corn, from fresh, kernels, boiled / 0
Water, tap / 400
Supper / Yoghurt, natural, reduced fat / 200
Mixed berries, fresh / 150
Day 7
Breakfast / Cereal, Sultana Bran, Original / 60
Milk, cow, ready to drink, skim milk / 350
Apple, fresh, red, skin eaten / 150
Water, tap / 400
Morning tea / English Muffin, plain, fresh, homemade / 50
Peanut butter, light / 20
Water, tap / 400
Lunch / Breadroll mixed grain / 80
Lettuce, iceberg / 25
Carrot, regular, raw / 30
Tomato, raw / 60
Cucumber, fresh / 40
Mayonnaise, commercial, flavoured, reduced fat / 20
Water, tap / 400
Margarine, Other brands, monounsaturated, reduced fat (50-60% fat), reduced salt / 20
Afternoon tea / Crackers, crispbread, multigrain / 40
Cheese, Swiss, block / 40
Water, tap / 400
Dinner / Chicken, breast, poached, skin not eaten / 210
Salad greens, mixed leaves / 50
Sweet potato, orange, baked / 50
Tomato, raw / 80
Beetroot, cooked, baked / 30
Celery, raw / 50
Rice, brown, cooked / 100
Sauce, tomato, packaged, salt reduced / 20
Water, tap / 400
Supper / Yoghurt, natural, fat free / 200
Mixed berries, fresh / 150

SupplementaryTable 2: Modified carbohydrate 7 day meal plan

Hypocaloric diet / Food / Amount (g)
Day 1
Breakfast / Bread mixed grain / 40
Egg, chicken, whole, poached / 40
Apple, fresh, red, skin eaten / 170
Margarine spread, monounsaturated, reduced fat (55% fat) & salt (sodium = 380 mg/100g) / 10
Water, tap / 400
Morning tea / Milk, cow, ready to drink, skim milk / 250
Banana, fresh / 100
Water, tap / 400
Nut, almond, with skin / 30
MiloTM / 20
Lunch / Bread mixed grain / 80
Tuna, canned in brine, drained / 90
Lettuce, mesculan / 80
Mayonnaise, commercial, regular, reduced fat / 20
Water, tap / 400
Margarine spread, monounsaturated, reduced fat (55% fat) & salt (sodium = 380 mg/100g) / 20
Afternoon tea / Vita Weat, 9 Grain, Sandwich Size / 38
Cheese, cheddar, extra light / 40
Dinner / Beef, sirloin steak, fully-trimmed, grilled / 150
Zucchini, boiled / 75
Potato, plain, boiled, with skin / 100
Broccoli, boiled / 75
Sauce, tomato, packaged, salt reduced / 20
Water, tap / 400
Supper / Milk, cow, ready to drink, skim milk / 250
MiloTM / 20
Day 2
Breakfast / Bread mixed grain / 40
Cheese, Swiss, Reduced Fat_ / 20
Banana, fresh / 100
Margarine spread, monounsaturated, reduced fat (55% fat) & salt (sodium = 380 mg/100g) / 10
Water, tap / 400
Morning tea / UNCLE TOBYS OTS BARS CEREAL BAR MILK VANILLA (20G) / 20
Water, tap / 400
Lunch / Mountain bread, wholewheat / 25
Tuna, canned, in spring water, regular / 90
Salad, green, homemade, Without dressing / 100
KELLOGG'S LCMS RICE BUBBLES (22G) / 22
Mayonnaise, commercial, regular, reduced fat / 20
Water, tap / 400
Afternoon tea / Yoghurt, natural, fat free / 200
Nut, almond, with skin / 30
Dinner / Lamb, fillet, bbq / 150
Vegetable mix, cooked (from frozen), international mix / 150
Rice, white, boiled without added salt / 200
Sauce, tomato, packaged, salt reduced / 20
Water, tap / 400
Oil, Canola, Spray / 5
Supper / Milk, cow, ready to drink, skim milk / 200
MiloTM / 20
Day 3
Breakfast / Cereal, Weetbix, plain / 30
Milk, cow, ready to drink, skim milk / 260
Banana, fresh / 100
Water, tap / 400
Morning tea / Yoghurt, natural, fat free / 200
Apple, fresh, green, skin eaten / 170
Water, tap / 400
Lunch / Mountain bread, rye / 25
Salmon, canned, pink, drained / 90
Lettuce, cos / 150
Orange, whole / 130
Mayonnaise, commercial, regular, reduced fat / 20
Water, tap / 400
Afternoon tea / Snack, trail mix / 20
Nut, almond, with skin / 30
Dinner / Pork, fillet, pieces, bbq / 150
Vegetable mix, cooked (from frozen), chunky vegetable mix / 200
Pasta, plain boiled pasta, white pasta / 150
Pasta sauce, plain, basil pesto, homemade / 20
Water, tap / 400
Supper / PETERS LIGHT & CREAMY BOYSENBERRY RIPPLE (1SCOOP=47G) / 100
Day 4
Breakfast / Bread mixed grain / 40
Egg, Whole egg, without omega 3, boiled / 40
Apple, fresh, green, skin eaten / 170
Margarine spread, monounsaturated, reduced fat (55% fat) & salt (sodium = 380 mg/100g) / 10
Water, tap / 400
Morning tea / Nut, almond, with skin / 30
Banana, fresh / 100
Water, tap / 400
Lunch / Bread mixed grain / 80
Chicken, breast, baked, not crumbed, skin not eaten / 50
Salad greens, baby spinach / 20
Carrot, regular, raw / 30
Tomato, raw / 80
Cucumber, fresh / 40
Cheese, Swiss, Reduced Fat_ / 20
Mayonnaise, commercial, mustard, reduced fat / 20
Water, tap / 400
Margarine spread, monounsaturated, reduced fat (55% fat) & salt (sodium = 380 mg/100g) / 20
Afternoon tea / Crackers, crispbread, multigrain / 40
Cheese, Swiss, Reduced Fat_ / 20
Dinner / Beef, sirloin steak, fully-trimmed, grilled / 150
Zucchini, boiled / 100
Potato, plain, boiled, with skin / 200
Broccoli, boiled / 100
Sauce, tomato, packaged, salt reduced / 20
Water, tap / 400
Oil, Canola, Spray / 5
Supper / Milk, cow, ready to drink, skim milk / 260
MiloTM / 20
Day 5
Breakfast / Bread mixed grain / 40
Cheese, Swiss, Reduced Fat_ / 20
Banana, fresh / 100
Water, tap / 400
Margarine, Other brands, polyunsaturated, reduced fat (50-60% fat), reduced salt / 10
Morning tea / Dessert Snacks, Milo, Mousse / 70
Water, tap / 400
Lunch / Mountain bread, wholewheat / 25
Tuna, canned, in spring water, regular / 90
Salad greens, baby spinach / 20
Carrot, regular, raw / 30
Tomato, raw / 60
Cucumber, fresh / 40
KELLOGG'S LCMS RICE BUBBLES (22G) / 22
Mayonnaise, commercial, regular, reduced fat / 20
Water, tap / 400
Afternoon tea / Crackers, crispbread, rice / 40
Nut, almond, with skin / 30
Dinner / Lamb, fillet, bbq / 150
Broccoli, boiled / 75
Rice, white, boiled without added salt / 200
Corn, from frozen, kernels, boiled / 75
Sauce, chilli / 20
Water, tap / 400
Oil, Canola, Spray / 5
Supper / Ice cream, stick, not coated, ice cream based / 90
Day 6
Breakfast / Cereal, Weetbix, plain / 30
Milk, cow, ready to drink, skim milk / 260
Mixed berries, fresh / 100
Water, tap / 400
Morning tea / Yoghurt, natural, fat free / 200
Apple, fresh, red, skin eaten / 170
Water, tap / 400
Lunch / Mountain bread, wholewheat / 25
Salmon, canned, pink, drained / 90
Lettuce, cos / 100
Orange, whole / 130
Water, tap / 400
Mayonnaise, commercial, regular, reduced fat / 20
Cucumber, fresh / 50
Tomato, raw / 50
Afternoon tea / Snack, trail mix / 40
Nut, almond, with skin / 30
Dinner / Pork, fillet, pieces, bbq / 150
Zucchini, boiled / 70
Pasta, plain boiled pasta, white pasta / 200
Sauce, mushroom, homemade / 50
Water, tap / 400
Oil, Canola, Spray / 5
Carrot, regular, boiled, from frozen / 70
Supper / Ice cream, from container, reduced fat, vanilla / 100
MiloTM / 20
Day 7
Breakfast / Bread mixed grain / 40
Cheese, cheddar, extra light / 20
Banana, fresh / 100
Water, tap / 400
Morning tea / Dessert Snacks, Milo, Mousse / 70
UNCLE TOBYS OTS BARS CEREAL BAR MILK VANILLA (20G) / 20
Water, tap / 400
Lunch / Mountain bread, wholewheat / 25
Tuna, canned, in spring water, regular / 90
Lettuce, iceberg / 200
Mayonnaise, commercial, regular, reduced fat / 20
Water, tap / 400
Afternoon tea / Yoghurt, natural, fat free / 200
Crackers, crispbread, multigrain / 40
Nut, almond, with skin / 30
Dinner / Lamb, fillet, bbq / 150
Zucchini, boiled / 50
Rice, white, boiled without added salt / 200
Broccoli, boiled / 100
Water, tap / 400
Oil, Canola, Spray / 5
Supper / Ice cream, stick, not coated, ice cream based / 90

SupplementaryTable 3: Modified alternate day fasting 7 day meal plan

Modified alternate day fasting / Food / Amount (g)
Day 1
Breakfast / Egg, Whole egg, without omega 3, boiled / 80
Water, tap / 400
Morning tea / Water, tap / 400
rice cake, original (plain) / 10
Vegemite, original / 4
Lunch / Salad, garden, homemade, Without dressing / 150
Water, tap / 400
Tuna, canned, in spring water, reduced fat / 95
Cheese, cheddar, extra light / 20
Dressing, commercial, vinegarette / 5
Afternoon tea / Water, tap / 400
Milk, cow, ready to drink, skim milk / 260
Mixed vegetables (carrot celery, cucumber, capsicum), fresh, sticks / 100
Dinner / Salad, garden, homemade, Without dressing / 150
Beef, other cut, fat trimmed, bbq / 100
Water, tap / 400
Dressing, commercial, oil & vinegar, fat free / 5
Supper / Water, tap / 400
Day 2
Breakfast / Cereal, other type, bran, wheat, processed / 45
Milk, cow, ready to drink, skim milk / 260
Water, tap / 400
Apple, fresh, green, skin eaten / 170
Morning tea / Banana, fresh / 100
Yoghurt, natural, fat free / 200
Water, tap / 400
Nuts, almond, raw / 35
Lunch / Tuna, canned, in spring water, reduced fat / 95
Bread, mixed grain, regular, fresh / 80
Salad, garden, homemade, Without dressing / 200
Cheese, haloumi / 20
Mayonnaise, commercial, regular, reduced fat / 20
Margarine, Other brands, polyunsaturated, reduced fat (50-60% fat), reduced salt / 20
Afternoon tea / Vita Weat, Original, regular / 25
Tomato, common, raw / 30
Cheese, swiss, block / 40
Water, tap / 400
Dinner / Beef, sirloin steak, lean, grilled / 200
Potato, plain, boiled, with skin / 140
Carrot, regular, microwaved, from fresh / 50
Broccoli, microwaved / 50
Peas, fresh, green, boiled / 50
Pumpkin, boiled / 50
Sauce, tomato, packaged, salt reduced / 20
Oil, Canola, Liquid / 10
Supper / MiloTM / 20
Milk, cow, ready to drink, skim milk / 390
Day 3
Breakfast / Up & go, banana / 250
Water, tap / 400
Morning tea / Water, tap / 250
Apple, fresh, green, skin eaten / 170
Lunch / Salad, garden, homemade, Without dressing / 155
Water, tap / 400
Afternoon tea / Yoghurt, natural, fat free / 150
Dinner / Salad, garden, homemade, Without dressing / 200
Egg, Whole egg, without omega 3, boiled / 40
Dressing, commercial, oil & vinegar, fat free / 5
Supper / Water, tap / 250
Day 4
Breakfast / Cereal, Weetbix, plain / 30
Milk, cow, ready to drink, skim milk / 260
Water, tap / 400
Orange, whole / 190
Morning tea / Banana, fresh / 100
Nuts, walnut / 45
Water, tap / 250
Lunch / Salmon, canned, pink, drained / 95
Bread, mixed grain, regular, fresh / 80
Lettuce, cos / 100
Mayonnaise, commercial, regular, reduced fat / 20
Margarine, Other brands, monounsaturated, reduced fat (50-60% fat), reduced salt / 20
Cabbage, green, raw / 100
Afternoon tea / Yoghurt, natural, fat free / 200
Dinner / Beef, other cut, fat trimmed, bbq / 200
Couscous, Plain, cooked / 110
Broccoli, steamed / 110
Carrot, baby, boiled, from frozen / 70
Oil, Canola, Liquid / 20
Water, tap / 400
Cabbage, green, stir fried / 70
Supper / Vita Weat, Original, regular / 10
Cheese, swiss, block / 40
Vegemite, original / 5
Water, tap / 400
Day 5
Breakfast / Cereal, Weetbix, plain / 30
Water, tap / 400
Milk, cow, ready to drink, skim milk / 130
Morning tea / Mixed vegetables (carrot celery, cucumber, capsicum), fresh, sticks / 85
Hummus, reduced fat / 20
Water, tap / 400
Lunch / Vita Weat, Original, regular / 20
Water, tap / 400
Cheese, Swiss, Reduced Fat_ / 40
Vegemite, original / 10
Afternoon tea / Water, tap / 400
Yoghurt, natural, fat free / 200
Dinner / Salad, garden, homemade, Without dressing / 200
Fish, ling, grilled / 100
Water, tap / 400
Dressing, commercial, oil & vinegar, fat free / 5
Supper / Water, tap / 400
Day 6
Breakfast / Cereal, other type, bran, wheat, processed / 30
Milk, cow, ready to drink, skim milk / 260
Water, tap / 400
Morning tea / Apple, fresh, green, skin eaten / 170
Nut, almond, with skin / 35
Water, tap / 400
Lunch / Salmon, canned, red, drained / 100
Bread mixed grain / 80
Lettuce, mesculan / 100
Cheese, Swiss, Reduced Fat_ / 40
Margarine, Other brands, polyunsaturated, reduced fat (50-60% fat), reduced salt / 20
Cabbage, green, raw / 100
Afternoon tea / Yoghurt, greek, reduced fat, plain / 200
Water, tap / 400
Dinner / mince, Beef, extra lean mince, boiled / 200
Pasta, plain boiled pasta, high fibre / 110
Carrot, regular, microwaved, from fresh / 80
Broccoli, microwaved / 70
Peas, fresh, green, boiled / 40
Corn, from canned, kernels, boiled / 20
Tomato, canned, plain, No added salt, not drained / 150
Garlic, fresh, raw / 1
Water, tap / 400
Oil, Sunflower / 20
Supper / Milk, cow, ready to drink, skim milk / 350
MiloTM / 20
Day 7
Breakfast / Bread mixed grain / 80
Egg, chicken, whole, hard-boiled / 80
Water, tap / 400
Margarine, Other brands, monounsaturated, reduced fat (50-60% fat), reduced salt / 20
Morning tea / Apple, fresh, green, skin eaten / 170
Vita Weat, Original, regular / 20
Cheese, swiss, block / 20
Lunch / Beans, 4 bean mix, canned / 130
Rice, brown, cooked / 70
Salad, garden, homemade, Without dressing / 200
Nut, almond, with skin / 35
Dressing, commercial, balsamic, fat free / 5
Afternoon tea / Orange, flesh / 190
Milk, cow, ready to drink, skim milk / 200
MiloTM / 20
Dinner / Lamb, fillet, grilled / 200
Bread, lavash, wholemeal, fresh / 65
Spinach, raw / 150
Cheese, Swiss, Reduced Fat_ / 20
Dip, tzatziki, homemade / 20
Water, tap / 400
Oil, Sunflower / 10
Cabbage, green, raw / 100
Supper / MiloTM / 20
Milk, cow, ready to drink, skim milk / 200
Water, tap / 400

Supplementary Table 4: Australian Nutrient Reference Values compared to international definitions

Australia [1] / United States [2] / United Kingdom [3] / Canada [4]
Nutrient Reference Values (NRVs)
A set of recommendations for nutritional intake based on currently available scientific knowledge. / Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs)
The DRIs represent the most current scientific knowledge on nutrient needs of healthy populations. Individual requirements may be higher or lower than the DRIs. / Dietary Reference Values (DRV)
A series of estimates of the energy and nutritional requirements of different groups of healthy people in the UK population. They are not recommendations or goals for individuals. / Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs)
A comprehensive set of nutrient reference values for healthy populations that can be used for assessing and planning diets
Recommended Dietary Intakes (RDI)
The average daily dietary intake level that is sufficient to meet the nutrient requirements of nearly all (97–98 %) healthy individuals in a particular life stage and gender group / Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA)
The average daily dietary intake level; sufficient to meet the nutrient requirements of nearly all (97-98 %) healthy individuals in a group / Reference Nutrient Intake (RNI)
The amount of a nutrient that is enough to ensure that the needs of nearly all a group (97.5%) are being met / Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA)
The average daily nutrient intake level sufficient to meet the nutrient requirement of nearly all (97% to 98%) healthy individuals in a particular life-stage and gender group
Lower Recommended Nutritional Intake (LRNI)
The amount of a nutrient that is enough for only a small number of people in a group who have low requirements (2.5%) i.e. the majority need more
Adequate Intakes (AI)
The average daily nutrient intake level based on observed or experimentally-determined approximations or estimates of nutrient intake by a group (or groups) of apparently healthy people that are assumed to be adequate. / Adequate Intake (AI)
Believed to cover the needs of all healthy individuals in the groups, but lack of data or uncertainty in the data prevent being able to specify with confidence the percentage of individuals covered by this intake / Adequate Intake (AI)
a recommended average daily nutrient intake level based on observed or experimentally determined approximations or estimates of nutrient intake, by a group (or groups) of apparentlyhealthy people, that are assumed to be adequate
Estimated Average Requirements (EAR)
A daily nutrient level estimated to meet the requirements of half the healthy individuals in a particular life stage and gender group / Estimated Average Requirement (EAR)
The average daily nutrient intake level estimated to meet the requirements of half of the healthy individuals in a group / Estimated Average Requirement (EAR)
An estimate of the average requirement of energy or a nutrient needed by a group of people (i.e. approximately 50% of people will require less, and 50% will require more) / Estimated Average Requirement (EAR)
Estimate of the average daily nutrient intake level that will meet the requirement of half of the healthy individuals in a given life-stage and gender group
Upper Level of Intake (UL)
The highest average daily nutrient intake level likely to pose no adverse health effects to almost all individuals in the general population. As intake increases above the UL, the potential risk of adverse effects increases. / Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL)
The highest level of daily nutrient intake that is likely to pose no risk of adverse health effects to almost all individuals in the general population / Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL)
The highest average daily nutrient intake level likely to pose no risk of adverse health effects to almost all individuals in the general population
Safe intake is used where there is insufficient evidence to set an EAR, RNI or LRNI. The safe intake is the amount judged to be enough for almost everyone, but below a level that could have undesirable effects.

References