What is the Suggested Dietary Target? Understanding Your Goals for Chronic Disease Prevention

November 28, 2025 •

2 min read

Globally, unhealthy diets are a leading risk factor for noncommunicable diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. A Suggested Dietary Target (SDT) provides a benchmark to move beyond basic nutritional adequacy toward intake levels that actively help prevent chronic disease.

Quick Summary

Suggested Dietary Targets (SDT) are a form of dietary reference value set for certain nutrients where there is evidence of chronic disease prevention at higher intake levels. SDTs are distinct from other nutrient recommendations like RDAs and help guide optimal dietary patterns for public health.

Key Points

Definition: A Suggested Dietary Target (SDT) is a reference value for average daily nutrient intake that helps prevent chronic diseases, distinguishing it from basic deficiency prevention goals.
Purpose: SDTs aim to promote optimal long-term health by encouraging intake levels of certain nutrients that are higher than the bare minimum for survival.
Function: SDTs are primarily used for public health planning and dietary guidance for populations rather than for assessing individual adequacy.
Examples: Key nutrients with SDTs include sodium, dietary fiber, potassium, and omega-3s, all linked to chronic disease prevention.
Strategy: Achieving SDTs involves prioritizing whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains while limiting processed items, salt, and added sugars.
Comparison: SDTs differ from Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA), which are set to meet the needs of nearly all healthy individuals to prevent deficiency.

What is the Suggested Dietary Target?

A Suggested Dietary Target (SDT) represents an average daily nutrient intake level aimed at reducing the risk of chronic diseases within a population. Unlike other nutrient reference values, such as the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA), which focus on preventing deficiencies, the SDT is based on intake levels linked to long-term health benefits and disease prevention. These targets are typically used by health professionals and policymakers to develop public health strategies.

The Purpose Behind SDTs

SDTs reflect a shift in nutrition science towards promoting optimal health and preventing chronic illnesses. They provide evidence-based goals that encourage nutrient intakes above the minimum requirements to support long-term health outcomes. These targets are based on extensive scientific reviews.

SDT vs. Other Dietary Reference Values

To understand the Suggested Dietary Target, it's helpful to compare it to other Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs). A detailed comparison can be found on {Link: Healthy Food Guide https://www.healthyfood.com/advice/are-you-hitting-your-nutrition-targets/}.

Examples of Suggested Dietary Targets

SDTs exist for several nutrients linked to chronic disease prevention, often recommending higher intakes than RDAs. Examples include:

Sodium: An SDT aims to lower blood pressure and reduce heart disease risk.
Dietary Fiber: A higher SDT is linked to a reduced risk of chronic heart disease.
Potassium: A high SDT supports blood pressure management.
Long-Chain Omega-3 Fatty Acids: SDTs are based on chronic disease prevention through foods like oily fish.
Carotenoids (Beta-Carotene): An SDT encourages the intake of colorful produce linked to preventing certain chronic conditions.

Practical Steps to Meet Suggested Dietary Targets

Meeting SDTs involves shifting dietary patterns toward whole, nutrient-dense foods. Here are some steps:

Increase intake of fruits and vegetables.
Choose whole grains over refined grains.
Prioritize healthy unsaturated fats.
Limit added sugars.
Reduce sodium intake, especially from processed foods.
Cook at home to control ingredients.

How Dietary Guidelines Shape Food Choices

Dietary guidelines from organizations like the WHO translate nutrition science into practical advice and tools, helping individuals and policymakers make informed choices to reduce chronic disease risk.

Conclusion

The Suggested Dietary Target (SDT) is a crucial benchmark for public health, focusing on nutrient intake levels that actively prevent chronic diseases, going beyond preventing basic deficiencies. Achieving SDTs involves prioritizing a diet rich in whole foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains while limiting processed items, salt, and added sugars. Adopting these dietary patterns is key to optimizing long-term health. For further guidance, authoritative resources like the World Health Organization's fact sheets on healthy diets are available. Making informed food choices supports personal wellness and contributes to better public health outcomes.

World Health Organization - Healthy Diet

Frequently Asked Questions

An RDA is the average daily intake level sufficient to meet the nutrient needs of most healthy individuals to prevent deficiency. An SDT is a higher average daily intake level designed to reduce the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease.

Dietary targets and reference values like SDTs are set by expert bodies and national health authorities, such as the Food and Nutrition Board or the World Health Organization (WHO), based on the latest scientific evidence.

SDTs are generally applicable to healthy adults and adolescents, as the evidence base for chronic disease prevention is most established in these groups. They are intended for populations rather than individuals.

While supplements can address some nutritional gaps, SDTs are best met through a diversified diet rich in whole foods, which also provides beneficial fiber, antioxidants, and other compounds not typically found in supplements. Relying solely on fortified foods or supplements is not the primary strategy.

Public health professionals and policymakers use SDTs to create population-level dietary guidance and educational materials. The goal is to inform the public and food industry about desirable intake levels to improve national health outcomes.

You can increase nutrient intake by focusing on dietary patterns that emphasize whole foods. For example, to meet a fiber SDT, increase your consumption of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, and nuts while replacing less nutritious, energy-dense foods.

No, an SDT is a target for beneficial intake, not a maximum. The Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) is the highest average daily nutrient intake level likely to pose no risk of adverse health effects. An SDT exists below the UL.