carl is a stay-at-home dad who prepares the majority of meals for his family of three. although his meals offer adequate but not excessive levels of kilocalories and nutrients, he tends to make the same three meals. which characteristic of a healthful diet is he not incorporating into his meal planning?

Carl is not incorporating the characteristic of variety into his meal planning. Although his meals provide adequate kilocalories and nutrients, he tends to make the same three meals repeatedly, which lacks the diversity needed for a healthful diet. A healthful diet should be diverse, including various nutritious foods within and across food groups to ensure sufficient intake of different nutrients essential for the body

. The key characteristics of a healthful diet include adequacy, balance, nutrient density, moderation, and variety. Variety helps to provide a broad range of nutrients and phytochemicals that contribute to overall health and protect against chronic diseases

. By repeatedly eating the same meals, Carl misses out on the benefits of consuming a wider range of foods, which is important for nutritional completeness and preventing deficiencies

. In summary, Carl's meal planning lacks the variety component of a healthful diet.