Which vegetables provide the most nutrients for the least cost?

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We've all heard the excuse that eating healthy is too expensive, so I found this article interesting.  Researchers have developed the Affordable Nutrition Index (ANI), a measure of nutrients per unit cost, to identify those foods that provide the most nutritional value for the least money.  First, the the overall nutritional quality of different vegetables was assessed using the Nutrient Rich Foods (NRI) index based on the nutrients to encourage- protein, fiber, vitamins A,C, & E, calcium, iron, magnesium, and potassium, and the 3 nutrients to limit- saturated fat, added sugar, and sodium.  Second, the most recent USDA national food prices database was used to determine the nutrient value of different vegetables in relation to their cost.  Results showed that tomato juices and tomato soups, dark green leafy and non-leafy vegetables, deep yellow vegetables had the highest NRF scores overall.  Highest NRF scores per dollar were sweet potatoes, white potatoes, tomato juices and tomato soups, carrots, and broccoli.  These new methods of affordable nutrition can help foodservice and nutrition professionals identify the vegetables that will provide the highest nutrient density for the lowest cost.

Source:
Drewnowski, A.  (2013)  New Metrics of Affordable Nutrition:  Which vegetables provide the  most nutrients for least cost.  Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 113(9), 1182-1187.

-KC

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