What is a nutrient-dense food?

Prepare for the AAFCS Nutrition and Wellness Certification Test with comprehensive study materials, including flashcards and multiple-choice questions, complete with hints and explanations. Achieve exam success!

A nutrient-dense food is defined as one that provides a high amount of essential nutrients relative to its calorie content. This means that such foods are packed with vitamins, minerals, proteins, healthy fats, and fiber while keeping their calorie count relatively low. This is beneficial for maintaining a balanced diet and ensuring that individuals get the nutrients they need without excessive calorie intake.

For example, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins, and legumes are all considered nutrient-dense options because they contribute valuable nutrients to the diet, which support overall health and wellness.

In contrast, foods that are low in calories but high in sugar do not fit this definition because they provide energy without the necessary vitamins and minerals. Foods rich in carbohydrates, while potentially nutritious, do not inherently qualify as nutrient-dense unless they also contain other essential nutrients without excessive calories. Lastly, foods containing only vitamins, without other important nutrients like minerals, proteins, fats, or carbohydrates, also do not meet the criteria for being nutrient-dense, since a well-rounded diet requires a variety of nutrient sources for optimal health.A nutrient-dense food is defined as one that provides a high amount of essential nutrients relative to its calorie content. This means that such foods are packed with vitamins, minerals, proteins

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