GDA's: Whats do they actually mean?
A guide to nutrition labelsMany people want to improve their diet and maintain a healthy weight. Some people want to lose weight. Whatever your individual dietary goals may be, an important step is to know what is in the foods and drinks you consume.Most packaged foods and drinks in the UK provide nutrition information to help us identify the amount of different key nutrients in an individual product. More and more labels also provide information on Guideline Daily Amounts (GDAs) – a simple guide to the amount of Calories and certain key nutrients adults should aim to consume each day. This document explains the nutrition information and GDAs you can find on food labels and gives some basic advice on choosing a healthy diet. |
What are Guideline Daily Amounts?GDAs are based on population average figures, for example, an average adult with a healthy weight and an average level of activity. Individual requirements vary depending on age, weight and level of activity. A very active person may need more energy (Calories) and a less active person may need less.The GDAs set out on the next page indicate how many Calories (kcal), and how much total fat, saturated fat and salt, men and women should aim to consume each day. These guidelines are recommended by health and nutrition professionals. GDAs are currently being developed for other nutrients. The food industry is continually testing effective ways to provide clear information for consumers on food packages. This leaflet will be updated as new information is introduced. |
How do they help?By checking the nutrition information on energy content, for example, you can compare the number of Calories in a serving of food or drink with the guideline amount. This can help you decide how the product fits into your overall diet. A nutrition panel might show that a food provides 500 Calories. The GDA panel shows that the guideline for a woman is 2000 Calories. The product would therefore provide one quarter of an average woman’s daily energy needs. |
How can I plan a healthy diet?The nutrition information on food labels, together with GDA information, can help us see how individual foods and drinks fit into our diet. It is also helpful to follow some basic guidelines when choosing what we eat.Research suggests that watching our fat intake, especially saturated fat; basing meals around starchy foods; aiming for at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day and being active, helps keep us healthy and in good shape. In order to enjoy a healthy diet, aim to include a wide variety of foods to provide all the necessary nutrients for health. You don’t have to stop eating foods which are higher in salt, fat or sugar – but you do need to balance your diet. For example, when you eat a few high fat foods, choose low fat foods at other times to compensate. To keep your weight in check, aim to balance the energy (Calories) you eat with the energy you burn. The best way to do this is to combine a healthy diet with regular physical activity. Source: For more information on GDAs and GDA labelling visit: The Food and Drink Federation, on behalf of the UK food and drink manufacturing industry, launched the foodfitness healthy lifestyle initiative in 1996. The programme provides consumers with practical advice on healthy eating and increased moderate physical activity. For more details and to order resources visit: |
