If you consistently build your diet by choosing mostly nutrient-dense foods, you may be able to meet your nutrient needs without using your full calorie allowance. In this case, the balance of calories is called your ____.

Question

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The daily limit for discretionary calories refers to the remaining calories in your diet after meeting your nutrient needs with nutrient-dense foods. These calories are considered discretionary because they can be allocated towards foods that are lower in nutrients, but higher in fat and sugar. Option A, bonus calorie allowance, is not a common term used in nutrition. Option B, daily limit for non-essential calories, is not an accurate description of the remaining calories in a nutrient-dense diet, as all calories play a role in energy balance. Option C, excess calories, suggests that you are consuming more calories than needed for energy balance, which may not be the case if you are meeting your nutrient needs with fewer calories. Option D, fat and sugar calorie allowance, is also not an accurate description of the remaining calories in a nutrient-dense diet, as some nutrient-dense foods, such as nuts and avocados, are higher in fat.

If You Consistently Build Your Diet by Choosing Mostly Nutrient-Dense