In the 1940s when President Roosevelt introduced the RDA, or the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) model, America’s focus on nutritious eating started to receive nationwide attention. This model, which took on the shape of a pyramid in the 1980s (and now goes by the term “food pyramid”), has gone through numerous iterations since its inception more than 60 years ago[i].

This change and evolution of the RDA model is, in many respects, a positive step. It demonstrates that, just as America’s data on diet and nutrition is advancing, so too are the models that guide its eating habits. As a matter of fact, the term RDA’s have now been replaced with “RDI’s” (Reference Daily Intake as updated by the USDA itself.

However, undermining some of this positive change is the fact that many Americans are more and more confused over what, how, and when to eat. “There are so many suggestions about healthy ways to eat, it’s hard to know what to believe” is a statement that 40% of the respondents in a survey carried out by the USDA in 1996 strongly agreed to, and basically confirms the fact[ii]

The idea of the Daily Value, or “DV” is among the most serious examples of this rising dietary confusion . Introduced by the USDA in the 1990s, the DV is a dietary numerical reference that is supposed to allow individuals to make healthy eating selections [iii].

The philosophical thought behind the DV, which is expressed as a percentage, is that it provides an important piece of information. The DV informs consumers how much of a nutrient they’re getting from a particular food item. For example, if the DV label on a can of beans declares that it represents “10% of the DV for fat”, then consumers can keep track of that quantity to know, throughout the day, how much fat they’re consuming[1]

However, one doesn’t have to be a mathematician or a dietician to see that the above idea begs a big question: is this10% of the DV for fat “good” or is it “unhealthy”?. In other words, should a consumer choose this source of fat because it represents a good source of fat, or avoid it for the opposite reason?

It is this question that has prompted so much confusion among health-conscious consumers. It has induced specific concern among those who wish to be sure that they maintain the beneficial daily allowance for protein.

The significance of protein in diet cannot be understated. It’s not only an essential macronutrient for athletes like bodybuilders and runners, but it’s also a vital macronutrient for you as well. Protein is vital for life itself, regardless of mobility or athleticism. Among other important functions, protein maintains and repairs muscle tissue, aids digestion, regulates chemicals, manages hormones, and produces enzymes [iv]. In extreme cases, a dangerous lack of protein actually results in a situation referred to as Kwashiorkor, where the body cannibalizes itself [2].

It’s a difficult challenge for most eaters to try to figure out the correct amount of protein in terms of DV%. Unfortunately, as a result of this confusion, some consumers haven’t been eating high quality protein. This is because the DV number is simply not enough data upon which they can make healthy protein eating decisions.

The missing number in the DV equation is the Reference Daily Intake (RDI) level. The RDI for protein is generally 50 grams per day. You can determine the “optimum” DV number by taking the total quantity of protein (in grams) of a particular product then dividing it with the RDI for protein.

For instance, if a product offers 25 grams of protein, and the RDI is 50 grams per day, then the product’s “optimum” DV will be 50%. Therefore, the figure “50%” should appear on the product’s labeling. If the number is lower than 50%, the consumers instantly know that it isn’t an optimum source of protein.

Finding high quality sources for important micronutrients like protein (among others) is a challenge that should not be difficult, however it is, because some food makers do not want to educate consumers on how to determine high quality from low quality. This is especially tragic in the health and nutrition food industry since you’d anticipate manufacturers to go all-out for high quality nutrition. Regrettably, this isn’t always the case.

However, that’s not reason to despair. Rather, its just as much cause to support companies which are making the effort to make sure that their products replicate only high quality DV ranges, and a concurrent effort to educate the general public on how to determine optimum DV.

[1] The FDA is clear that the DV idea isn’t intended to direct people on how much they need to eat. It is not to be concluded from this instance that the eater can eat 10 cans of beans to attain the “100% of the recommended fat consumption per day”. The DV is intended as a reference number only and not as a recommendation. The RDA/RDI has a direct correlation on the intake per day, which we will be discussing later on.

[2] Kwashiorkor is more frequent among developing countries, although there have been some reported instances within the U.S. as well.

References

[i] Source: “Food Pyramid History”. http://iml.jou.ufl.edu/projects/Fall02/Greene/history.htm

[ii] Source: America’s Eating Habits: Changes and Consequences. USDA. http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/aib750/

[iii] Source “Daily Values Encourage Healthy Eating”. FDA. http://www.fda.gov/fdac/special/foodlabel/dvs.html

[iv] Source: “The Importance of Protein”. OhioHealth. http://www.ohiohealth.com/facilities/mcconnell/weightmanage/details/protein.html

Protica Research (Protica, Inc.) specializes in the development of Capsulized Foods. Protica manufactures Profect, IsoMetric, Pediagro, Fruitasia and over 100 other brands, including Medicare-approved, whey protein shots for diabetic patients. You can learn more at Protica Research – Copyright

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