AMDR Planning

"The Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range (AMDR) is the calculated range of how much energy from carbohydrates, fats, and protein is recommended for a healthy diet adequate of the essential nutrients and is associated with a reduced risk of chronic disease. For children ages 1–3, the AMDR is 5–20 percent protein, 45–65 percent carbohydrates, and 30–40 percent fat. For children and adolescents ages 4–18, it is 10–30 percent protein, 45–65 percent carbohydrates, and 25–35 percent fat. For adults older than 19, it is 10–35 percent protein, 45–65 percent carbohydrates, and 20–35 percent fat. The ranges allow individuals to personalize their diets, taking into consideration that different subgroups in a population often require different requirements. The DRI committee recommends using the midpoint of the AMDRs as an approach to focus on moderation. You can use the DRIs to help assess and plan your diet. Keep in mind when evaluating your nutritional intake that the values established have been devised with an ample safety margin and should be used as guidance for optimal intakes. Also, the values are meant to assess and plan average intake over time; that is, you don’t need to meet these recommendations every single day—meeting them on average over several days is sufficient."