Representing a new paradigm for the nutrition community, Dietary Reference Intakes encompasses: Estimated Average Requirements (EARs). These are used to set Recommended Dietary Allowances. Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs).

DRIs are dietary reference values for the intake of nutrients and food components by Americans and Canadians. The U.S. National Academy of Sciences recently released two reports in the series (IOM, 1997, 1998).