Fig. 3

Strategies for optimal calorie administration in critically ill patients. When patients are admitted to the ICU, intensivists evaluate nutritional risk. If patients have high nutritional risk, more than 80% of the energy target is administered within 48–72 h of ICU admission. If patients have low nutritional risk, less than 18 kcal/kg/day might be an optimal calorie target (“defense” strategy). Then, after the patient’s condition starts improving, the administered calorie dose might be increased (“offense” strategy)