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Take the Food Quiz

Vitamins, minerals, fats, fiber: Good nutrition can seem pretty complicated. Think you know a lot about nutrition? Try this quiz from the American Dietetic Association and see where you stand.

1. Snacking may keep you from becoming overly hungry and overeating.
   a. True
   b. False
   
   
2. Eating a variety of foods is important because:
   a. You're bound to eat something that's good for you eventually
   b. That's the best way to obtain the vitamins and minerals you need for good health
   c. Your mother or father said you should
   
   
3. Vitamins are a good source of energy.
   a. True
   b. False
   
   
4. What is the key to healthy eating?
   a. Variety
   b. Balance
   c. Moderation
   d. All of the above
   
   
5. If you're often too busy working to eat lunch, how can you enjoy a healthful meal?
   a. Order "fast food"
   b. Pack a brown bag lunch
   c. Go to the vending machine
   d. All of the above
   
   
6. By adding regular physical activities that are fun, refreshing and within your abilities, you:
   a. Can help keep your body in good working order
   b. Feel energized so you can do things you like to do
   c. Can help keep your weight within a healthy range
   d. All of the above
   e. None of the above
   
   
7. Both fat and cholesterol are found in:
   a. Food of animal origin, such as pork, chicken, fish, beef, milk, butter, and eggs
   b. Foods of both plant and animal sources, such as those listed above, and oils such as olive or canola, and avocado
   c. Largest quantities in seafood
   d. None of the above
   
   
8. Which ethnic food offers healthful, low-fat choices?
   a. Chinese
   b. Italian
   c. Mexican
   d. All of the above
   e. None of the above
   
   
9. According to the Food Guide Pyramid, a serving a meat is approximately the size of:
   a. A deck of cards
   b. A paperback book
   c. A matchbox
   d. A softball
   
   
10. The calcium content of fat-free milk is the same as whole milk.
    a. True
    b. False

1. True. Healthful snacking can help you moderate the amount of food you eat so that you will be less inclined to overeat at your next meal. Choose healthful foods for snacks and watch the size of your portions. Nutrition experts recommend eating or snacking every three to four hours.
   
   
2. B. Eating a variety of foods is a great -- and enjoyable -- way to get the 40 or so essential vitamins and minerals and the fiber you need.
   
   
3. False. Vitamins are not a source of calories, but instead help convert food into energy. Foods are the best source of vitamins.
   
   
4. D. An eating style that promotes your overall health is based on variety (enjoying many different foods from all the food groups; balance (including enough, but not too much, of any one kind of food; and moderation (in use of fats, oils, added sweets and portion sizes).
   
   
5. D. Quick-service restaurants offer many options, making it easy to maintain healthful eating. Healthy choices include a grilled chicken sandwich, salad with low-fat dressing; and fat-free milk or frozen yogurt. Brown bag lunches allow a lot of flexibility. Some ideas include pasta leftovers, frozen entrees (if your workplace has a freezer and microwave) and sandwiches made with whole-grain bread, low-fat deli meats like lean roast beef, ham or turkey, and sliced veggies. Finally, depending on your vending machine selections, look for pretzels, peanuts, fresh fruit, fruit juice and yogurt to create a healthful mini-meal.
   
   
6. D. Finding the right mix of physical activities and leisure time makes life fun all year round. Think positively about keeping your body in good working order. Doing fun and novel physical activities you enjoy will keep you energized.
   
   
7. A. The key here is the word "cholesterol." Cholesterol is found only in foods of animal origin. Plants do not contain cholesterol; however, some can contain significant amounts of fat, such as avocado and other vegetable oils. Many kinds of seafood are low in fat and cholesterol. To help maintain a healthful cholesterol level, limit your intake of saturated fats and include more whole grains, vegetables, fish, beans and nuts in your diet. Check food labels for fat content. Choose low-fat or fat-free dairy products, soft or liquid margarines and low-fat salad dressings.
   
   
8. D. All three popular ethnic cuisines can offer healthful dishes, such as stir-fried vegetables, linguine in marinara sauce, and rice and beans. All are high in complex carbohydrates, including fiber, and are flavorfully seasoned.
   
   
9. A. Two to three ounces of cooked lean beef, poultry with skin removed, or fish constitutes one serving, about the size of a deck of playing cards.
   
   
10. True. The better daily choice for including calcium without the fat is 2 to 3 servings of low-fat or fat-free dairy products, rather than whole or full-fat dairy products.