What defines nutrient-dense foods?

Nutrient-dense foods are defined by their high concentration of essential vitamins and minerals relative to the number of calories they provide. This means that these foods pack a significant nutritional punch, offering important nutrients necessary for health without burdening the diet with excessive calories. Nutrient-dense options are typically whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and legumes, which provide vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other beneficial compounds that support overall health and well-being.

In contrast, choices that suggest high calories with minimal nutrients or categories that solely include certain dietary restrictions (like being vegan or vegetarian) do not accurately capture the essence of nutrient density. Similarly, the mention of foods that are frozen or processed fails to relate to the nutrient density concept, since these labels can apply to both nutrient-dense and nutrient-poor foods depending on their specific ingredients and preparation methods. Therefore, the correct identification of nutrient-dense foods aligns specifically with their high vitamin and mineral content relative to calories, highlighting their role in a healthy diet.