It is often difficult for pediatricians and families to translate the recommended intake of fat and saturated fat into practical recommendations. These tables are provided to assist in this translation. Table 1 provides the recommended daily caloric intake for girls and boys based on age and the percentile of weight, assuming that the child's weight is appropriate for their height. Once the recommended total daily caloric intake is known, Table 2 can be used to establish either the number of calories that should come from fat or the number of grams that should come from fat and saturated fat. These numbers are based on AHA/NCEP recommendations for a Step I diet (up to 30 percent of total calories from fat, with a lower limit of 20 percent, 10 percent of total from saturated fat) or a Step II diet (30 percent of total calories from fat, but 7 percent from saturated fat). Table 3 presents typical foods and the number of grams of fat per serving that should be expected with each food. By using these tables and the labels provided on many foods, it's possible to establish a diet that meets NCEP recommendations.

The information on Table 1 is from Recommended Dietary Allowances, National Academy of Sciences, 10th ed., Washington DC, 1989. Table 2 is based on fat having 9 kcal/g. Table 3 is derived from Nutrition Data System, version 2.4, University of Minnesota.

Table 1

Table 2

Table 3