A framework for adequate nourishment: balancing nutrient density and food processing levels within the context of culturally and regionally appropriate diets

<ul><li>There are many dietary patterns and habits for the human omnivore to achieve adequate nourishment, often beyond what conventional nutritional recommendations and models suggest. Yet, there are also limits to this dietary flexibility, contingent on nutrient density and food processing levels.</li><li>The nutrient density of a diet is usually improved by incorporating animal-source foods beyond a threshold, suggested to be at one-fourth to one-third of the caloric intake. Below this threshold, nutrient deficiency risks become a concern and require careful consideration. In contrast, consuming a high share of animal-source foods comes with contentious debates related to the risk of chronic diseases.</li><li>Minimally processed foods are recommended as the preferred dietary option, but this should not compromise nourishment potential. Especially when plant-based foods dominate dietary intake, processing steps are needed to remove phytotoxins and improve nutrient bioavailability. However, excessive processing levels result in loss of food quality, whereas dietary patterns dominated by ultra-processed foods are likely harmful.</li><li>This article focuses on the health aspects of human diets, without addressing concerns related to environmental impact or animal welfare. Such concerns can nonetheless be met, to some degree, if dietary guidance sufficiently embraces flexibility. This can be done by encouraging culturally appropriate diets while allowing for the self-selection of a variety of nutrient-dense, satiating foods of a mainly minimally processed nature, based on personal and cultural needs, values, and preferences. The concept of adequate nourishment is particularly important for populations with unique nutritional requirements, such as young children, pregnant and lactating women, and older adults.</li></ul>