Nutrition Authorities & Guidelines
Understanding the sources behind PlateBreaker’s nutrition recommendations.
Overview
Section titled “Overview”PlateBreaker’s nutrition targets come from official guidelines published by leading nutrition authorities around the world. These organizations conduct extensive research and expert reviews to establish science-based dietary recommendations.
Why Multiple Authorities?
Section titled “Why Multiple Authorities?”Different countries have different nutrition authorities that publish their own dietary reference values. While these guidelines are generally consistent, they can differ based on:
- Regional Diet Patterns: Local food availability and traditional eating habits
- Research Priorities: Different studies and population data
- Expert Interpretation: How scientific evidence is translated into recommendations
- Population Health Needs: Specific health concerns in different regions
PlateBreaker lets you choose which authority to follow, or use our DEFAULT series that combines the best from all authorities.
The Five Authority Series
Section titled “The Five Authority Series”1. NASEM (United States & Canada)
Section titled “1. NASEM (United States & Canada)”Organization: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
Coverage: Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) for the United States and Canada
Key Features:
- Most comprehensive research base
- Includes RDA (Recommended Dietary Allowance), AI (Adequate Intake), UL (Tolerable Upper Intake Level)
- Regular updates based on latest science
- Separate guidelines for age, sex, pregnancy, and lactation
Best For: Users in North America, those wanting the most researched recommendations
Official Resources: www.nationalacademies.org
2. NHMRC (Australia & New Zealand)
Section titled “2. NHMRC (Australia & New Zealand)”Organization: National Health and Medical Research Council
Coverage: Nutrient Reference Values (NRVs) for Australia and New Zealand
Key Features:
- Adapted for Southern Hemisphere populations
- Accounts for higher UV exposure (affects vitamin D)
- Considers local food supply
- Evidence-based with Australian/NZ research emphasis
Best For: Users in Australia and New Zealand, similar climates
Official Resources: www.nhmrc.gov.au
3. EFSA (European Union)
Section titled “3. EFSA (European Union)”Organization: European Food Safety Authority
Coverage: Dietary Reference Values (DRVs) for the European Union
Key Features:
- Harmonized guidelines for 27 EU countries
- Strong emphasis on food safety
- Conservative approach to upper limits
- Regular scientific reviews
Best For: Users in Europe, those preferring conservative estimates
Official Resources: www.efsa.europa.eu
4. NNR (Nordic Countries)
Section titled “4. NNR (Nordic Countries)”Organization: Nordic Council of Ministers
Coverage: Nordic Nutrition Recommendations for Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden
Key Features:
- Adapted for high-latitude populations
- Emphasis on sustainable food systems
- Accounts for limited sunlight (vitamin D)
- Focus on whole food patterns
Best For: Users in Nordic countries, high-latitude regions
Official Resources: www.norden.org
5. DEFAULT (PlateBreaker Combined)
Section titled “5. DEFAULT (PlateBreaker Combined)”PlateBreaker’s Conservative Combination
How It Works:
- Targets: MAX(all authorities) - The highest recommended target
- Upper Limits: MIN(all authorities) - The lowest (most conservative) upper limit
- Philosophy: “Aim high, stay safe”
Key Features:
- No single authority bias
- Conservative safety margins
- Optimized for diverse populations
- Updated when any authority changes
Best For: International users, those wanting comprehensive coverage without picking a region
How to Choose Your Authority
Section titled “How to Choose Your Authority”By Geographic Location
Section titled “By Geographic Location”North America → NASEM Europe → EFSA Australia/New Zealand → NHMRC Nordic Countries → NNR Other/International → DEFAULT
By Philosophy
Section titled “By Philosophy”Want highest targets → DEFAULT (maximizes recommendations) Want most conservative → Check EFSA and NNR Want most researched → NASEM (largest research base) Want regional relevance → Choose your region’s authority
By Health Goals
Section titled “By Health Goals”General Health: Any authority works well, all are science-based Athletic Performance: DEFAULT or NASEM (higher targets) Medical Conditions: Consult healthcare provider; they may specify an authority Pregnancy/Lactation: All authorities have specific guidelines; DEFAULT is good default
Switching Authorities
Section titled “Switching Authorities”You can change your nutrition authority at any time:
- Go to Settings → Nutrition Authority
- Select your preferred authority
- Review updated targets
- Your tracking history remains unchanged
- New recommendations reflect new authority
Note: Switching authorities will change your daily targets but won’t affect your logged intake data.
Understanding Reference Values
Section titled “Understanding Reference Values”Types of Recommendations
Section titled “Types of Recommendations”Different authorities use similar concepts with different names:
Target Values (aim to meet daily):
- RDA (NASEM): Recommended Dietary Allowance
- PRI (EFSA): Population Reference Intake
- RDI (NHMRC): Recommended Dietary Intake
- RI (NNR): Recommended Intake
Adequate Intake (AI):
- Used when RDA cannot be established
- Based on observed healthy population intakes
- Assume this amount is adequate
Upper Limits (UL):
- Maximum daily intake unlikely to cause harm
- Don’t exceed these levels chronically
- Applies to food + supplements combined
How Targets Are Set
Section titled “How Targets Are Set”All authorities follow similar scientific processes:
- Evidence Review: Systematic review of published research
- Expert Panel: Nutrition scientists interpret evidence
- Population Data: Consider average intakes and deficiency rates
- Safety Margins: Add buffers to meet needs of 97-98% of population
- Peer Review: External review before publication
- Regular Updates: Revised as new evidence emerges
Limitations & Considerations
Section titled “Limitations & Considerations”Individual Variation
Section titled “Individual Variation”Nutrition recommendations are population averages. Your individual needs may differ based on:
- Genetics and metabolism
- Health conditions
- Medications
- Activity level
- Life stage (pregnancy, growth, aging)
- Environmental factors
Always consult healthcare providers for personalized advice, especially with medical conditions.
Research Gaps
Section titled “Research Gaps”Some nutrients have limited research:
- Newer nutrients may lack comprehensive data
- Some populations understudied (e.g., very elderly, elite athletes)
- Long-term effects may not be fully known
PlateBreaker uses the best available science but acknowledges these limitations.
Food vs Supplements
Section titled “Food vs Supplements”Authority recommendations typically assume nutrients come from food. Supplement recommendations may differ because:
- Food contains co-factors that enhance absorption
- Supplements can be more concentrated
- Risk of exceeding upper limits is higher with supplements
Learning More
Section titled “Learning More”Detailed Authority Information
Section titled “Detailed Authority Information”For comprehensive details on each authority, see:
Nutrient-Specific Guidelines
Section titled “Nutrient-Specific Guidelines”For detailed recommendations on specific nutrients, see:
- Complete Nutrient Reference
- Each nutrient links to relevant authority publications
Scientific Publications
Section titled “Scientific Publications”All authorities publish detailed scientific reports:
- NASEM: Dietary Reference Intakes series
- NHMRC: Nutrient Reference Values for Australia and New Zealand
- EFSA: Scientific opinions on dietary reference values
- NNR: Nordic Nutrition Recommendations reports
Links to these publications are provided throughout PlateBreaker’s documentation.
Summary
Section titled “Summary”Key Takeaways
Section titled “Key Takeaways”- Five Authority Series: NASEM, NHMRC, EFSA, NNR, DEFAULT
- All Science-Based: Each authority follows rigorous scientific review
- Regional Differences: Reflect local populations and food systems
- DEFAULT is Safe: Conservative combination of all authorities
- Your Choice: Switch authorities anytime to match your needs
- Consult Professionals: For medical conditions or special needs
Quick Decision Guide
Section titled “Quick Decision Guide”Not sure which to choose? → Use DEFAULT Live in specific region? → Use your region’s authority Working with dietitian? → Ask which authority they prefer Athletic performance? → Consider NASEM or DEFAULT Want most conservative? → Check EFSA or DEFAULT upper limits
Next: Understanding Calculations - Learn how PlateBreaker calculates your personalized targets
Related: Nutrient Targets & Limits - Understand what targets and limits mean