Which of the following is a low-energy-dense food?

• A. Fried cheese
• B. Almond butter
• C. Chocolate cake
• D. Leafy greens

Answer: (D)

Energy density is the number of calories packed into a gram of food. Foods that are high in water and fiber but low in fat and added sugars tend to be low in energy density, because they provide fewer calories per gram. Leafy greens fit this pattern: they’re mostly water and fiber with very little fat or sugar, so each gram has only a small number of calories. That means you can eat a larger volume for the same calories, which helps with fullness without a big calorie load. The other options contain more fat or sugar, which increases calories per gram, making them higher in energy density.