When building nutritionally balanced meals, it’s important to understand how much of each nutrient the human body needs daily. These guidelines are referred to as GDA — Guideline Daily Amounts — or sometimes RDI (Recommended Daily Intake) depending on the context.
For restaurants, cafés, and food professionals in the HoReCa industry, knowledge of GDAs allows for better portioning, menu planning, and nutritional transparency, especially when displaying nutrition data on digital menus.
What Is GDA?
GDA (Guideline Daily Amount) refers to the estimated amount of calories, macronutrients, and key micronutrients that an average adult should consume daily to maintain general health.
GDAs are usually calculated based on:
- An average adult (female or male)
- Moderate physical activity
- A daily energy intake of 2,000 kcal (the standard reference)
GDAs are not exact rules but rather general targets to help consumers evaluate how a food item fits into their daily diet.
Why Is GDA Important?
Understanding GDA helps with:
- Balancing portion sizes
- Creating nutritionally responsible menus
- Complying with labeling regulations
- Supporting informed food choices for your customers
Displaying % GDA per portion on menus helps guests quickly understand how a particular dish contributes to their daily intake.
GDA Values for Key Nutrients
| Nutrient | Daily Guideline Amount (based on 2,000 kcal) |
|---|---|
| Energy | 2,000 kcal |
| Total fat | 70 g |
| Saturated fat | 20 g |
| Carbohydrates | 260 g |
| Sugars | 90 g (total sugars, not just added) |
| Protein | 50 g |
| Salt (Sodium) | 6 g (approx. 2.4 g sodium) |
| Fiber | 25 g |
Note: These are average values and may vary based on country-specific regulations or nutritional authorities.
GDA in the HoReCa Context
Many customers want to see not only calories, but also how much of their daily nutritional needs are covered by a meal. For example, if a dish contains:
- 13g of saturated fat
- That equals 65% of the GDA for saturated fat in just one meal
Offering this kind of insight helps your customers make better decisions and builds trust in your food offering.
How Nutri-Scheme Supports GDA Calculation
With Nutri-Scheme, your team can input ingredients and portion sizes, and the platform will:
- Calculate total calories and nutrients per portion
- Automatically compute the % of GDA based on standard daily values
- Display clear, digital menu data — ready for customer view
This helps you create meals that are balanced, transparent, and compliant with nutritional standards.
Read Next:
How to Build a Nutritionally Balanced Recipe
Read the next article in the series →
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