What ratio does the concept of Nutrient Density specifically relate a food's beneficial nutrients to?
Answer
Its energy content (calories).
Nutrient density is a critical concept for evaluating food quality, providing a metric that goes beyond simply counting calories or listing ingredients. It is defined as the measure of beneficial nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals, that a particular food item delivers relative to the amount of energy, expressed in calories, that food supplies. Foods that are considered nutrient-dense offer a high concentration of necessary micronutrients for a relatively low caloric expenditure. Conversely, foods lacking in this ratio are characterized as providing 'empty calories,' such as sugary drinks, which contribute significant energy without corresponding nutritional value.
Related Questions
What is unique about Water among the four identified Macronutrients?What is the energy density provided by Lipids (fats) per gram?How many Amino Acids are deemed essential nutrients that must be acquired through diet?What potential risk is associated with consuming excessive amounts of Fat-Soluble Vitamins (A, D, E, and K)?What defines the category of Minerals known as Macrominerals based on daily requirement?What is the specific caloric yield per gram associated with Carbohydrates?What concept illustrates that Vitamin C essentiality is species-dependent?What assessment measure provides a more functional indicator of Vitamin B12 deficiency than standard serum levels?What ratio does the concept of Nutrient Density specifically relate a food's beneficial nutrients to?Which characteristic applies to the Water-Soluble Vitamins like the B-complex group?