Which statement describes nutrient density?

• A. They describe foods that provide more calories than nutrients
• B. They describe foods that deliver micronutrients relative to calories
• C. They describe foods with no carbohydrates
• D. They describe foods with zero fat

Answer: (B)

Nutrient density describes how many vitamins and minerals you get for a given amount of energy. Foods that are nutrient-dense deliver a lot of micronutrients relative to their calories, meaning you get more nutrients per calorie. This is useful for meeting daily vitamin and mineral needs without consuming a lot of extra calories. For example, leafy greens or colorful vegetables provide substantial micronutrients without a large calorie load. The idea isn’t that a nutrient-dense food must have no carbohydrates or no fat; fats and carbohydrates can be part of nutrient-dense foods, as long as the micronutrient content per calorie is high. In contrast, foods that are high in calories but low in nutrients offer fewer micronutrients per calorie.