Abstract
Nutrition advice given to the American public has long focused on what nutrients and foods to avoid. However, the sustained efforts to improve diet quality and health outcomes have fallen short of their goals. Most Americans do not consume sufficient amounts of key nutrients that are important for health, and 2 of 3 adults are either overweight or obese. A more positive approach to dietary guidance is to create educational messages built around foods and nutrients to encourage. Positive, diet-centered advice based on nutrient-rich foods that contain relatively more nutrients than calories can help Americans improve their eating habits and achieve better health. Building on its 2004 symposium, the Nutrient Rich Foods Coalition's 2009 symposium in Washington, DC, presented a scientifically validated metric for nutrient density and described educational tools to help communicate the importance of nutrient-rich foods to consumers.