What does calorie density measure?

Calorie density is a concept that refers to the ratio of calories to the actual weight or volume of a food item. This measurement helps to understand how many calories are packed into a specific amount of food, thereby guiding choices for caloric intake. Foods with high calorie density contain a large number of calories in a small weight (such as nuts and oils), while those with low calorie density have fewer calories in a larger volume (such as fruits and vegetables).

This knowledge is particularly useful for individuals seeking to manage their weight or improve their dietary choices, as it allows them to make informed decisions about which foods can provide satiety with fewer calories or help reduce caloric intake effectively.

The other options do not accurately capture the meaning of calorie density: measuring the price of food per calorie focuses on cost rather than caloric content, the total weight of food consumed doesn’t consider the caloric values, and the number of nutrients in food pertains to nutritional value rather than its caloric density.