The IGD report ‘Energy density and its role in helping consumers make healthy choices’: a resource for food businesses

Abstract

SummaryEnergy density is the energy (calorie) content per unit weight of a food, meal or diet. It is important in terms of its impact on an individual's energy intake and overall energy balance. With obesity as a major public health issue in the UK and many other countries, encouraging intake of foods that are lower in energy density could help consumers to reduce their energy intake and eat a healthy, balanced diet.The food industry has a role in helping consumers achieve a healthy, balanced diet. Incorporating energy density as an element of the design or development of their products is one way through which food businesses might support this aim.The Institute of Grocery Distribution's (IGD) Industry Nutrition Strategy Group has produced a report for food businesses to help them to consider energy density as part of new product development or product reformulation. ‘The role of energy density in helping consumers make healthy choices’ provides information on energy density and its role in energy balance, techniques to adjust the energy density of foods, with guidance on using this concept in consumer communications.