Definition Of Nutritional Values

Diets often compare food based on their nutritional values. The higher nutritional value an item has, the better it is for you. There are many factors that must be examined when determining whether an item has a high nutritional value. Reading the nutritional label is the best way to start making this determination.

What is Nutritional Values?

A nutritional value is a determination on how healthy a food or drink item is. Being classified as healthy -- or having a high nutritional value -- involves consideration of the amount of calories, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals the item has. If a food or drink item offers low calories, fat and carbs, but offers a high percentage of the essential vitamins, then the item is classified as having a high nutritional value. However, if the food item contains a lot of calories, fat or carbs, but has minimal or no vitamins and minerals, then the item would be classified as having a low nutritional value.

Importance

It is important that the food you eat provides the vitamins and minerals your body requires. There are 13 essential vitamins that your body demands: vitamin A, C, D, E, K, B-1, B-2, B-3, pantothenic acid, biotin, vitamin B-6 and vitamin B-12. Without these vitamins, your body cannot work at its optimum. Low nutritional value items do not provide a beneficial amount of vitamins and minerals.

Examples of High Nutritional Value Food

Whole grain cereals are considered a high nutritional value food. Wheat bran cereals, for example, may contain up to 100 percent of the daily value of vitamins A, B, C and D, as well as high amounts of fiber, protein and potassium. With this type of cereal, the amount of calories, fat and carbs is low.

Another item that is a high nutritional value food is fat-free yogurt. Plain yogurt contains approximately 120 calories, yet offers up to 45 percent of the daily value of calcium.

A good rule to remember is that if the food item is in its natural state and has not been processed or cooked, it is most likely high in nutritional value. Vegetables, fruits and whole grains are a prime example of high nutritional value foods.

Examples of Low Nutritional Value Food

Most "junk foods" are considered low in nutritional value. Especially those that are deep-fried or covered in chocolate. For instance, a single serving bag -- which is one ounce -- of Lay's Classic potato chips contains 150 calories, 10 g of fat and 15 g of carbs. However, it only provides 10 percent of the daily value of vitamin C and E. Judging from this information, there are not many benefits to eating these chips; therefore, these potato chips are considered low in nutritional value.