Percent of Daily Value

Ask Glen!





Q. Glen,What does Percent of Daily Value mean on food labels

A. Food labels list percentages that are based on recommended daily allowances — meaning the amount of nutrients a person should get each day. These numbers tell you the Percent Daily Value (DV) that one serving of this food provides as a percentage of established standards. For example, a label may show that a serving of the food provides 30 percent of the daily recommended amount of fiber. This means you still need another 70 percent to meet the recommended goal. Percent DV is based on a 2,000-calorie diet for adults older than 18.

Nutrition experts recommend limiting total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium in your diet, so choose foods with a lower Percent DV for these nutrients. Eat more foods with a higher Percent Daily Value for vitamins, minerals and fiber.

Using Percent Daily Values can help you compare similar foods in order to help determine what foods are higher in nutrients.

Reference values for nutrition labeling: How much should you get each day?
Nutrient	Amount for men /day	Amount for women/day
Biotin	30 micrograms (mcg)	30 micrograms (mcg)
Calcium	1,000-1,200 milligrams (mg)	1,000-1,200 milligrams (mg)
Chloride	1,800-2,300 mg	1,800-2,300 mg
Chromium	30-35 mcg	20-25 mcg
Choline	550 mg	425 mg
Copper	900 mcg	900 mcg
Fluoride	4 mg	3 mg
Folic acid	400 mcg	400 mcg
Iodine	150 mcg	150 mcg
Iron	8 mg	8-18 mg
Magnesium	400-420 mg	310-320 mg
Manganese	2.3 mg	1.8 mg
Molybdenum	45 mcg	45 mcg
Niacin	16 mg	14 mg
Pantothenic acid	5 mg	5 mg
Phosphorus	700 mg	700 mg
Protein	56 grams (g)	46 grams (g)
Riboflavin	1.3 mg	1.1 mg
Selenium	55 mcg	55 mcg
Thiamin	1.2 mg	1.1 mg
Vitamin A	900 mcg	700 mcg
Vitamin B-12	2.4 mcg	2.4 mcg
Vitamin B-6	1.3-1.7 mg	1.3-1.5 mg
Vitamin C	90 mg	75 mg
Vitamin D	5-15 mcg or 200-400 international units (IU)	5-15 mcg or 200-400 international units (IU)
Vitamin E	15 mg or 22.5 IU	15 mg or 22.5 IU
Vitamin K	120 mcg	90 mcg
Zinc	11 mg	8 mg

Reference values for nutrition labeling: How much should you get each day?
Nutrient	Amount for men and women
Total fat	Less than 65 grams (g)
Saturated fat	Less than 20 g
Trans fat	Less than 2 g
Cholesterol	Less than 300 milligrams (mg)
Total carbohydrate	At least 130 g
Fiber	At least 25 g
Sodium	Between 1,500 and 2,400 mg
Potassium	At least 4,700 mg

Sources: Dietary Reference Intakes National Academy of Sciences, 2007; Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, 2007; Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2006; American Heart Association, 2007

Any personal health questions or problems mental or physical or before starting any diet or exercise program. Please consult your physician !

Wishing You Great Health!

Any questions? Ask Glen!