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Viewing or Changing the Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) Group of a Diet Type

Kevin U
  • Updated

About Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) Nutritional Parameters

On a menu, the system monitors the nutrient values of a diet type to ensure the diet type is adhered to (see Nutrient Analysis of Menu Items).

The parameter range (low, ideal, max) of a nutrients and dietary components is determined by a dietary intake reference (DRI) group applied to each diet type. The default DRI group applied to each diet type by the system is the "DRI Female, 51-70 Yrs" group. However, a parent system or corporate account can change the DRI group for diet types, which will be reflected in their child facility accounts.

In addition, a facility account has the ability to change a DRI group for a diet type, as per instructions below. 

Why MealSuite Uses Diet Reference Intakes (DRIs)

MealSuite uses Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) rather than relying on the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) because the DRIs provide a more complete set of nutrient standards. The DRIs include the RDAs, but they also incorporate the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR), Adequate Intake (AI), and Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL). This is important because some nutrients--such as potassium and sodium--do not have an established RDA but do have an AI within the DRI system. Using DRIs ensures we consider not only recommended intake levels but also safe upper limits and nutrients without RDAs, making them a more practical and comprehensive tool for menu planning.

Viewing the DRI Values Applied to a Diet Type

To view the DRI values applied to a diet type, complete the following steps:

  1. Open the Diets screen. 
     
  2. Click the name of the diet type you want to view. The diet type-specific screen appears.
     
  3. Click Nutritional Parameters on the right of the screen, or scroll down the screen to the Nutritional Parameters section. 
     
  4. The current DRI group is listed at the top of the section with its values displayed in the table in the section. The table is organized by the following sections: MacroNutrients, Minerals, Vitamins, and Fatty Acids. 

    DRI_hical_hipro.png

Changing the DRI Group of a Diet Type

To change the DRI group of a diet type, complete the following steps:

  1. Open the Diets screen. 
     
  2. Click the name of the diet type you want to change. The diet type-specific screen appears.
     
  3. Click Nutritional Parameters on the right of the screen, or scroll down the screen to the Nutritional Parameters section. 
     
  4. Click the edit icon for the Nutritional Parameters section (first screenshot below). The Edit: Nutritional Parameters screen appears (second screenshot below). 

    edit_nutritional_parameters.png

    edit_nutritional_parameters2.png
     
  5. From the Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) drop-down, select the desired DRI group. Its values are automatically populated in the Lower, Ideal, and Max fields. 

    dri_dropdown.png
     
  6. Click the Save Change button at the bottom of the screen to apply your changes.
     
  7. Note that when the DRI group has been changed from the system default of "DRI Female, 51-70 Yrs", the Revert to original link exists below the Dietary Reference Intake field that will revert the DRI to the system default group of "DRI Female, 51-70 Yrs".

    revert_to_original_DRI.png

Changing Values for Nutrients and Dietary Components in a DRI Group

You can change the min, ideal and max values for nutrients and dietary components in a DRI group. To do so, complete the following steps:

  1. Open the Diets screen. 
     
  2. Click the name of the diet type you want to change. The diet type-specific screen appears.
     
  3. Click Nutritional Parameters on the right of the screen, or scroll down the screen to the Nutritional Parameters section. 
     
  4. Click the edit icon for the Nutritional Parameters section (first screenshot below). The Edit: Nutritional Parameters screen appears (second screenshot below). 

    edit_nutritional_parameters.png

    edit_nutritional_parameters2.png
     
  5. Edit the values as needed for a the nutrients and dietary components, which are organized in the following sections: MacroNutrients, Minerals, Vitamins, and Fatty Acids. 
     
  6. Click the Save Changes button at the bottom of the screen to apply your changes.  
     
  7. When values have been changes for a DRI group, the Modified label appears beside the group name in the Nutritional Parameters section (screenshot below). 

    modified_label.png

Resetting a DRI Group to its Original Values for a Diet Type

If the values for a DRI group were changed (as per above), then you can revert the group to its original values. To do so:

  1. Open the Diets screen. 
     
  2. Click the name of the diet type you want to change. The diet type-specific screen appears.
     
  3. Click Nutritional Parameters on the right of the screen, or scroll down the screen to the Nutritional Parameters section. 
     
  4. Click the edit icon for the Nutritional Parameters section (first screenshot below). The Edit: Nutritional Parameters screen appears (second screenshot below). 

    edit_nutritional_parameters3.png

    reset_values.png
     
  5. Click the Reset values to selected DRI values link. The values are reset. 
     
  6. Click the Save Changes button to close the window. 

Exporting DRI Group Values for a Diet Type

You can export the DRI group values for a diet type to an Excel® file, from which you can print. To do so:

  1. Open the Diets screen. 
     
  2. Click the name of the diet type you want to change. The diet type-specific screen appears.
     
  3. Click Nutritional Parameters on the right of the screen, or scroll down the screen to the Nutritional Parameters section. 
     
  4. Click the Export button. The nutritional parameters are downloaded to an Excel file. 

    export_button.png