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Nutrient profiling of foods: nutrients per calorie and nutrients per unit cost
Author(s) -
Drewnowski Adam,
Maillot Matthieu,
Darmon Nicole
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.21.5.a318-a
Subject(s) - nutrient , nutrient density , calorie , energy density , food science , food composition data , food group , environmental science , biology , environmental health , medicine , ecology , endocrinology , physics , theoretical physics , orange (colour)
The 2005 Dietary Guidelines recommended that consumers give priority to nutrient dense foods. This study outlines a scoring system to estimate the nutrient density of foods in different food groups on a per weight, per calorie, and per unit cost basis. The study was based on analyses of a French national food composition database for 619 foods in different food groups. Mean national retail prices were obtained for each food. The nutrient density score (NDS) and the nutrient to price ratio were the mean of percent daily values for 23 nutrients per 100 kcal and per 1 Euro of food. Energy density and nutrient density of foods were negatively linked, confirming that many energy‐dense foods are nutrient‐poor. Fruit and vegetables had the highest nutrient density score, given their high nutrient values in relation to low energy content. Fresh dairy products lean meats, and whole grains had more favorable nutrient density scores and nutrient to price ratios than did foods and beverages largely composed of added sugars, refined grains and added fats. Nutrient profiling of foods provides a way to rank foods on their nutrient content and is a valuable tool for dietary education and dietary guidance. Such techniques help answer the question of how to provide key nutrients to the population at an affordable cost. Support: French NRA & INPES, USDA CSREES 2004‐35215‐14441, National Cattlemen's Beef Association & Dairy Management, Inc.