Energy density – a value not adequately taken into account?

H. F. Erbersdobler, Kiel

In the discussions of the best prudent diets it seems worthwhile pointing out that fats and carbohydrates are mainly responsible for energy density. As fat and available carbohydrates influence appetite and satiety it is reasonable to pay attention to meal sizes and energy density.

Based on the German Nutrition Report 2004 we roughly calculated an average daily intake of about 1.4 and 1.7 kg, resp., of solid food corresponding to an energy density of 175 and 140 kcal/100g, resp., for two groups, men at the age of 25 –