A nutrient-dense diet emphasizes which of the following?

A nutrient-dense diet emphasizes which of the following?

• A. High micronutrient intake relative to calories
• B. Low sugar intake
• C. Low water content
• D. High fat intake

Answer: (A)

Nutrient density means choosing foods that deliver a lot of vitamins and minerals for the amount of energy they provide. A nutrient-dense diet focuses on maximizing micronutrients per calorie, so you can meet your vitamin and mineral needs without excess energy. That’s why the description of high micronutrient intake relative to calories is the best fit. The other ideas—low sugar, low water content, or high fat content—don’t define nutrient density. Some nutrient-dense foods do have natural sugars, high water content, or fats, but those traits alone don’t determine how nutrient-dense a food is. The aim is to get more micronutrients per calorie to support health within a reasonable energy budget.

Nutrient density means choosing foods that deliver a lot of vitamins and minerals for the amount of energy they provide. A nutrient-dense diet focuses on maximizing micronutrients per calorie, so you can meet your vitamin and mineral needs without excess energy. That’s why the description of high micronutrient intake relative to calories is the best fit. The other ideas—low sugar, low water content, or high fat content—don’t define nutrient density. Some nutrient-dense foods do have natural sugars, high water content, or fats, but those traits alone don’t determine how nutrient-dense a food is. The aim is to get more micronutrients per calorie to support health within a reasonable energy budget.