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Daily Value Formula:
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The Daily Value Calculator helps determine the percentage of the recommended daily allowance (%DV) of a specific nutrient in a food product or supplement. This calculation is essential for understanding nutritional content and making informed dietary choices according to US nutritional guidelines.
The calculator uses the standard Daily Value formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates what percentage of your daily recommended intake is provided by a specific amount of a nutrient.
Details: Calculating %DV helps consumers understand nutritional content, compare food products, maintain balanced nutrition, and meet dietary requirements for optimal health.
Tips: Enter the nutrient amount in milligrams (mg) and the RDA value in milligrams (mg). Both values must be positive numbers greater than zero for accurate calculation.
Q1: What does %DV mean on nutrition labels?
A: %DV shows how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet based on a 2,000 calorie daily intake.
Q2: What is considered a good %DV?
A: Generally, 5% DV or less is low, while 20% DV or more is high for a nutrient. This varies by whether the nutrient should be limited (sodium, saturated fat) or encouraged (fiber, vitamins).
Q3: Are RDAs the same for everyone?
A: No, RDAs vary by age, gender, and life stage (pregnancy, lactation). The values used in %DV calculations are based on average adult requirements.
Q4: How often are RDAs updated?
A: The FDA reviews and updates Daily Values periodically based on the latest nutritional science. The most recent update was in 2016.
Q5: Can %DV be over 100%?
A: Yes, some nutrients (especially in supplements) can provide more than 100% of the Daily Value, which may be beneficial for certain vitamins but should be monitored for others.