Final answer:
Average daily intake levels refer to the nutrient amounts sufficient to meet the needs of the majority of healthy individuals, typically expressed as Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) or percent Daily Value (%DV). These values are averages intended to cover nearly all (97% to 98%) individuals in a demographic.
Step-by-step explanation:
Average Daily intake levels are designed to meet the nutrient requirements of the majority of healthy individuals. For example, the % Daily Value (%DV) is the percentage of the daily value for each nutrient that is recommended for adults based on a 2,000 Calorie diet.
A food item that provides 20% or more of the %DV is considered high in that nutrient. It is important to note that actual nutrient needs may differ based on various factors such as age, gender, health status, and activity level.
The Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) are established to provide a benchmark for nutrient intake and ensure sufficient nutritional content for different demographics, including infants, children, adults, and pregnant or lactating women.
These allowances are intended to cover the needs of almost all (97% to 98%) healthy individuals in a particular life stage and gender group.
Therefore, when we talk about average daily intake levels, we refer to the amount of each nutrient needed to meet the requirement of the majority of healthy individuals, often quantified by the RDAs or %DV.