Which term contrasts with nutrient-dense foods?

• A. Nutrient-dense foods
• B. Energy-dense foods
• C. High-protein foods
• D. Low-sugar foods

Answer: (B)

The key idea is comparing nutrient content relative to calories. Nutrient-dense foods deliver a lot of vitamins, minerals, and other beneficial nutrients for relatively few calories. The term that contrasts with this is energy-dense foods, which pack a lot of calories into a small amount of food—often from fats and added sugars—and may provide fewer nutrients per calorie. For example, leafy greens are nutrient-dense, while fried snacks are energy-dense. Some foods, like nuts, can be both nutrient-dense and energy-dense, providing plenty of nutrients but also a high calorie load. In short, energy-dense foods are the opposite end of the spectrum when you’re thinking about nutrients per calorie.