1. why is it better to get calories from nutrient-dense foods rather than from foods that lack nutrition? 2. diagram the passage of food through the digestive system. label the organs involved in digestion and absorption and identify the sites where carbohydrates, proteins, and fats are digested. 3. for each of the following foods, choose the one that’s more nutrient-dense. a. low-fat popcorn or buttered crackers b. macaroni and cheese or plain pasta c. celery sticks or fresh fruit salad d. a slice of cheese pizza or a double cheeseburger e. oatmeal with banana and raisins or cornflakes with milk 4. calculate the number of calories in each of the following foods. a. a slice of whole-wheat bread with 8 grams of carbohydrates b. 2 ounces of cheddar cheese with 6 grams of fat c. a serving of grilled chicken with 10 grams of protein answer is below 1. foods that are nutrient-dense give your body more than just calories; nutrient-dense foods provide the body with essential vitamins and minerals, whereas foods that aren’t nutrient-dense give the body only calories. 2.the body accesses nutrients through digestion, which begins in the mouth. saliva and chewing break down the food. the esophagus empties into the stomach where protein is digested. fat, carbohydrates, and leftover proteins are digested in the small intestine. the colon to absorb fluid. the pancreas, gallbladder, kidneys, and liver are also involved in digestion. a. low-fat popcorn—crackers are high in fat. b. macaroni and cheese—the cheese does have more fat but offers protein, calcium, vitamins a and d, and other nutrients. c. fruit salad—it contains more vitamins and minerals than celery alone. d. pizza—it probably contains less fat; the sauce has a small amount of vitamins. e. oatmeal—it contains more fiber, probably less fat, and more vitamins and minerals with fruit. a. carbs have 4 calories per gram, so 4 8 32 calories. b. fat has 9 calories per gram, so 9 6 54 calories. c. protein has 4 calories per gram, so 4 10 40 calories.