Nutrient dense

Nutrient density refers to the level of nutrients contained in a food item in comparison to the number of calories. A nutrient-dense food contains a high amount of vitamins, minerals, complex carbohydrates, lean protein, and healthy fats with relatively few calories. These foods are considered beneficial for health and well-being.

Overview

Nutrient density is a measure of the amount of nutrients a food contains in comparison to the number of calories. It is a way to assess the nutritional value of an individual food item, a meal, or an entire diet. Nutrient-dense foods provide substantial amounts of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients with relatively few calories. Examples of nutrient-dense foods include fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, fish, and poultry, eggs, legumes, nuts, and seeds.

Importance of Nutrient Density

Nutrient-dense foods are important for maintaining a healthy diet and can help to prevent a variety of health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. They can also help to support weight loss and overall health and well-being. Consuming a diet high in nutrient-dense foods can provide the body with the essential nutrients it needs to function properly, while also helping to control calorie intake.

Nutrient Density and Dietary Guidelines

The concept of nutrient density is central to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which recommend choosing a variety of nutrient-dense foods across and within all food groups. The guidelines also recommend limiting intake of saturated fats, trans fats, added sugars, and sodium, which can be found in high amounts in foods that are not nutrient-dense.

See Also

• Dietary Guidelines for Americans
• Healthy diet
• Nutrition
• Vitamins
• Minerals

Nutrient dense Resources
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