Nutrient
density – refers to the micronutrients that contain no calories. (Macronutrients are protein, carbohydrates
and fat) However there is no guarantee that food will contain micronutrients.
Micronutrients
are all vitamins, minerals, trace minerals, phytochemicals, antioxidants and
carotenoids (Carotenoids, the colourful plant
pigments some of which the body can turn into vitamin A, are powerful antioxidants that
can help prevent some forms of cancer and heart
disease, and act to enhance your immune
response to infections.).
Other than
protein, carbohydrate and fat, every nutritional component is that of a
micronutrient.
When there’s
a lack of micronutrients in what we eat, our hunger signal remains active; overconsumption
and weight gain are likely the result.
If we eat
nutrient-dense food, our chemical hunger signal will turn off naturally.
