Please notice 2nd edition amendments below. The Nordic countries have for several decades collaborated in setting guidelines for dietary composition and recommended intakes of nutrients. This 4th edition, NNR 2004, contains a summary, presented in Chapters 1 and 2, while the subsequent chapters provide the scientific background documentation. Recommendations have been changed only when strong scientific evidence has evolved since the 3rd edition. A Nordic perspective has been accounted for in setting the recommendations. A chapter on physical activity has been added and interaction with physical activity has been taken into account for the individual nutrient recommendations wherever appropriate. The chapters on energy requirement, eating pattern, antioxidants and breastfeeding have been reviewed and updated and a new chapter on food-based recommendations included. The primary aim of the NNR 2004 report is to present the scientific background of the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations and their application. In addition the report can be used as a complement to text books in the field of nutrition, but it is not attempting to give a comprehensive overview of metabolism, physiology and clinical aspects of each nutrient or topic. A secondary aim for NNR 2004 is to function as a basis for national recommendations adopted individually by the Nordic countries.