What are Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) designed to encompass?

Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) are designed to provide a comprehensive set of guidelines that encompass various aspects of nutrient intake. This includes recommended dietary allowances (RDAs), which indicate the daily intake levels sufficient to meet the nutrient requirements of nearly all healthy individuals; adequate intake (AI), which is used when there is not enough evidence to establish a recommended dietary allowance; and estimated average requirements (EARs), which are the nutrient intake values that are estimated to meet the needs of half the healthy individuals in a particular life stage and gender group.

These categories work together to help health professionals assess and plan dietary needs and are integral to understanding how to achieve a balanced diet. The focus of DRIs is on the nutritional needs of populations rather than individual food items or macros, which is why options referencing only protein intake, food safety standards, or caloric intake for weight loss do not capture the full scope of what DRIs are intended to convey.