DIs are a guide to help you make informed choices about the foods you eat. They are not a target, nor are they a maximum. They are an average based on an average adult diet providing 8700kJ per day.

As mentioned, the DI values are based on an average adult diet providing 8700kJ. To determine the DI values for other age groups, we need to also take into account gender, weight, age and activity levels. You can calculate DI values based on your own energy needs and then see how a days’ food intake contributes to this by visiting the section

Calculate your DIs

A healthy balanced diet is one that provides all the essential nutrients, such as protein, carbohydrate, fats, vitamins and minerals to help keep us healthy.

The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating and the Dietary Guidelines for Australians, provide guidance and recommendations to help Australians select foods and drinks to achieve a balanced diet.

A healthy balanced diet means eating a variety of different foods from each of the major food groups. Specifically, this means eating plenty of plant based foods (e.g. bread, rice, pasta, vegetables, fruits and legumes), eating moderate amounts of animal foods (e.g. low fat dairy products, lean meats, fish and eggs), and small amounts of foods which are often high in saturated fat, sugar and salt, such as biscuits, cakes, soft drinks, sweets and chocolate.

Below is an example of what a healthy balanced diet could look like, based on an average adult diet of 8700kJ. It reflects the advice provided in the above mentioned publications by way of providing a variety of different foods from the different food groups, whilst also meeting the requirements for all the essential nutrients, needed to maintain good health. (Note: this is an example only – there are many other combinations of foods that allow you to achieve 100% of the DI for energy and nutrients)

Breakfast

• Serve of Just Right® Original with skim milk
• 2 slices mixed grain bread with margarine and yeast extract spread
• Cappuccino

Lunch

• Mixed grain sandwich with chicken, salad, avocado and mayonnaise
• Tub reduced fat fruit yoghurt Fresh fruit e.g. banana

Dinner

• Grilled beef steak with mixed vegetables and new potato
• Fresh fruit salad

Snacks/Drinks

• Water
• Cappuccino
• Crackers with cheddar cheese
• Small handful of mixed nuts

The Food Standards Code for Australia and New Zealand defines the values that can be used on food labels. For example the Recommended Dietary Intakes value for each vitamin and mineral is defined within the Code and it represents the value for an average male. A similar approach has been taken with Daily Intake values for macronutrients which are based on an average adult energy intake of 8700kJ.

This consistency of approach allows consumers to compare products. However, we understand that people are also interested in information that meets their needs and that is why we have developed a comprehensive section on our website containing a DI Calculator to allow people, including children, to calculate their DI values based on their own energy needs.

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NH&MRC) provides an equation to calculate energy requirements based on an individual’s gender, age, weight and activity levels. Kellogg used this calculation (Schofield equation) to determine energy requirements, and subsequent DI values when we built our online DI Calculator.

For younger children, energy requirements are approximated using average weights and activity levels for different age groups. Hence, it is not necessary to input weight and activity levels for these children on our DI calculator.

Regardless of the age of the individual, it is important to remember that this is a guide only.