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| Definition |
| Discretionary Calories Allowance (DCA) is the difference between your daily caloric intake and your essential calories needed to meet nutrient requirements. In other words, it’s the extra calories you have after you eat all the essential calories, all within your total caloric intake. |
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| DCA Allowance |
| Typically only 100 to 300 calories a day for most people.
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| Using DCA |
- Eat more foods from any food group than the food guide recommends.
- Eat higher calorie forms of foods-those that contain solid fats or added sugars. Examples are whole milk, cheese, sausage, biscuits, sweetened cereal, and sweetened yogurt.
- Add fats or sweeteners to foods. Examples are sauces, salad dressings, sugar, syrup, and butter.
- Eat or drink items that are mostly fats, caloric sweeteners, and/or alcohol, such as candy, soda, wine, and beer.
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| DCA Example |
- You have a daily caloric intake of 2000 calories
- 1735 calories are for your essential nutrients
- 265 calories would be considered you DCA
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| DCA Problems |
- Most people use up their DCA before lunch
- Most people spend their DCA on junk food
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| Sources Cited |
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