Certified Nutrition Coaching Practice Exam

The term referring to food substances that offer health benefits beyond basic nutrition is "functional foods." These foods contain bioactive compounds that can positively affect health and well-being, potentially reducing the risk of various diseases. An example of a functional food would be yogurt with probiotics, which supports digestive health in addition to providing vitamins and minerals.

Essential minerals, while critical for various bodily functions, do not qualify as foods themselves, but rather as specific nutrients necessary for health. Processed foods are typically defined by their alteration from their natural state through methods like freezing, canning, or adding preservatives, and they do not inherently provide additional health benefits beyond basic nutrition. Empty calorie foods are those that provide energy with very little nutritional value, lacking the beneficial properties that define functional foods. Therefore, functional foods are specifically recognized for their additional health-promoting properties.