15 May 2017 --- Discarded food contains a significant amount of nutrients that could be used to help many Americans meet daily requirements, according to a new study. It is estimated that around 1,217 calories per person per day are squandered as a result of food waste in the US. The study, published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, looks beyond the caloric value of food waste and focuses on the nutritional value of the food we throw away. Investigators found that discarded food contains large amounts of key nutrients like vitamin D, fiber and potassium that could help people get the food they need to meet their daily recommended intake.