Have you heard of nutrient density? I had not until a couple of days ago – but when I did it was an aha moment!

This is how Mariette Leufkens explains it in her recent blog post:

“Nutrient density refers to the amount and variety of micronutrients (vitamins and minerals and phytonutrients) carried by each calorie of that particular food.

Calories consumed from spinach or sweet potatoes are much more nutrient-dense than calories consumed from a processed, low-fat high sugar donut.

Micronutrients feed complex information to your cells, through vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients. Every bite you eat sends a set of coded instructions to your cells that can create either health or disease. Some calories are addictive, others are healing, some calories are fattening and some boost your metabolism.

Nutrient-poor foods on the other hand, like sugar and processed foods … are the empty and addictive calories, the ones that make you sick tired and fat because they contain no nutrients.”

So thi is what it means that not all calories are created equal.

I started googling and apparently, the are several Nutritional rating systems, points and stars based on scientific algorithms, to tell how you the nutritional density (value) of different foods.

This is so exciting because it means there are more tools than I knew for my own and my kids education and daily use.

And since I understand the world best through a spreadsheet I will/must make one to compare them. Then it is done I will make sure to share it with you.  And if you want to make sure you receive it just send me an email to: hello @ katerinacronstedt.com

Until then – eat your greens! ?