What is a nutrient-dense food?

A nutrient-dense food is characterized by its high content of essential nutrients relative to its caloric content. This means that such foods provide a significant amount of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other beneficial compounds while being lower in calories. For example, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins, and legumes are typically considered nutrient-dense because they offer a wide array of nutrients necessary for health without contributing excessive calories to the diet.

In contrast, foods that are high in sugars, those that contain only vitamins, or foods that are high in fats may not provide the same balance of nutrients. High-sugar foods often come with added calories and minimal nutritional benefits, while foods high in fats can vary in nutrient density depending on the type of fat. Foods containing only vitamins would lack other important nutrients such as minerals and macronutrients. Thus, the definition of nutrient-dense emphasizes the importance of overall nutrient content in relation to calorie intake, pointing to option B as the most accurate description.