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Defining powerhouse fruits and vegetables: a nutrient density approach
1William Paterson University, 300 Pompton Rd, Wayne, NJ 07470.
Preventing Chronic Disease
|June 6, 2014
Summary
National nutrition guidelines recommend powerhouse fruits and vegetables (PFV). This study defined PFV as nutrient-dense foods, identifying 41 out of 47 items that meet the criteria for improved dietary guidance.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Science
- Dietary Guidelines
- Public Health
Background:
- National nutrition guidelines advocate for increased consumption of powerhouse fruits and vegetables (PFV).
- A clear, evidence-based definition for PFV is currently lacking.
- PFV are strongly linked to reduced chronic disease risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a classification scheme for identifying powerhouse fruits and vegetables (PFV).
- To establish objective criteria for defining PFV based on nutrient density.
Main Methods:
- A classification scheme was developed defining PFV as foods providing ≥10% Daily Value for 17 qualifying nutrients per 100 kcal.
- The nutrient density of 47 different foods was analyzed based on this criterion.
Main Results:
- Out of 47 foods studied, 41 met the defined powerhouse criterion.
- Foods classified as PFV demonstrated higher nutrient density compared to non-PFV foods.
- Preliminary evidence supports the validity of the proposed classification scheme.
Conclusions:
- A validated classification scheme for PFV has been established.
- The proposed scheme can serve as a practical tool for nutrition education and dietary guidance.
- This classification aids in identifying nutrient-dense foods for public health recommendations.
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