nährstoffreicher

Nährstoffreicher is a German adjective used to describe foods, meals, or diets that contain a higher amount of essential nutrients compared with their energy content or compared with alternatives. It is the comparative form of nährstoffreich, which means rich in nutrients. The term is common in nutrition communication and dietary guidance, where it helps distinguish nutrient-dense choices from more energy- or nutrient-poor options.

The concept centers on nutrient density, i.e., the concentration of vitamins, minerals, and beneficial compounds per unit of energy or per serving. Foods that are considered nährstoffreicher typically provide substantial amounts of micronutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin A, folate, iron, calcium, and potassium, as well as beneficial phytochemicals, while delivering fewer calories. Compared with foods that are energy-dense but nutrient-poor, nährstoffreiche options are preferred in guidelines aiming to prevent nutrient deficiencies and support overall health.

Common examples of nährstoffreiche foods include leafy greens (such as spinach and kale), cruciferous vegetables (like broccoli), colorful fruits (berries, citrus), legumes, whole grains, nuts and seeds, fish and eggs, and dairy or fortified alternatives. However, nutrient density can be influenced by factors such as soil quality, origin, freshness, and preparation methods; cooking can both reduce some nutrients and enhance the bioavailability of others.

In practice, describing a food or a diet as nährstoffreicher signals a higher potential contribution to daily nutrient requirements per calorie or per serving. It is one dimension of evaluating diet quality, alongside other considerations such as energy balance and dietary variety.