What term describes the amount of energy metabolized per unit weight or volume of food?

Energy density refers specifically to the amount of energy (calories) provided per unit weight or volume of food. This concept is particularly important in nutrition, as it helps to distinguish between foods that are high in calories relative to their weight or volume and those that are lower in calories. Foods with high energy density provide a lot of calories in a small amount, which can influence dietary choices and energy intake, especially in contexts where weight management is a concern.

In contrast, nutrient density focuses on the amount of essential nutrients per calorie, emphasizing the quality of the food rather than just the energy it provides. Caloric content generally refers to the total number of calories in a food item without specifying the relationship to its weight or volume. Food weight simply describes how much a food item weighs and does not provide information about its energy content. Therefore, energy density is the most appropriate term for describing the energy provided per weight or volume of food.