Saturated Fat: recommended daily intake
Reference values for saturated fat across life-stage groups, from Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020–2025.
Limit saturated fat to less than 10% of total daily energy.
Adults 19–50.
| Life stage | RDA / AI | UL | EAR | AMDR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infants 0–6 months | - | - | - | - |
| Infants 7–12 months | - | - | - | - |
| Children 1–3 years | - | - | - | - |
| Children 4–8 years | Limit saturated fat to less than 10% of total daily energy. | - | - | - |
| Males 9–13 years | Limit saturated fat to less than 10% of total daily energy. | - | - | - |
| Females 9–13 years | Limit saturated fat to less than 10% of total daily energy. | - | - | - |
| Males 14–18 years | Limit saturated fat to less than 10% of total daily energy. | - | - | - |
| Females 14–18 years | Limit saturated fat to less than 10% of total daily energy. | - | - | - |
| Adult males 19–50 | Limit saturated fat to less than 10% of total daily energy. | - | - | - |
| Adult females 19–50 | Limit saturated fat to less than 10% of total daily energy. | - | - | - |
| Adult males 51+ | Limit saturated fat to less than 10% of total daily energy. | - | - | - |
| Adult females 51+ | Limit saturated fat to less than 10% of total daily energy. | - | - | - |
| Pregnancy (19–30) | Limit saturated fat to less than 10% of total daily energy. | - | - | - |
| Lactation (19–30) | Limit saturated fat to less than 10% of total daily energy. | - | - | - |
Notes
- No scalar DRI for saturated fat; the 2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines recommend limiting saturated fat to <10% of energy.
Source: Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020–2025 (snapshot 2026-04-30)