This online survey of some basic nutrition questions to see what people do and don't know about nutrition. Surprisingly I found that the average person (assuming they didn't google anything) know more about nutrition than they think.
Sample Size: 41 participants
*Next to each choice is the percent of participants that choice that answer out of 41 people.
Question 1: How many calories = 1 lb.?
1) 250 = 7.3 %
2) 500 = 17.1 %
3) 1500 = 31.7 %
4) 3000 = 48.8 %
The correct answer is 3000 calories. The logic behind it is that 3000 calories can = 1 lb. of body weight that is why when trying to gain weight it might be suggested that you add an extra 500 calories to your diet a day or subtract that a day to lose or gain a pound a week. This also varies for every person depending how many calories you expend.
Question 2: What is considered a good fat?
1) Trans Fat= 12.2%
2) Saturated fat= 24.4%
3) Monounsaturated fat= 61%
4) Both 1 & 2= 4.9%
The correct answer is monounsaturated fat that can be found in foods like avocados, olive oils, nuts, peanut butters, etc. Whereas both trans and saturated fats are those that are linked with health risks such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, some cancers and high cholesterol. Trans fat could be found in foods like doughnuts, baked goods, margarine and saturated fat in the skin of chicken, butter, cheese, ice cream. Both of these "bad fats" should be kept to a minimum.
Question 3: How many cups of water should a person have per day?
1) 8= 72.5%
2)16= 15%
3)22= 7.5%
4)30= 5%
The correct answer was 8, and most, or all of the participants got that questions correct. The only thing that people should note is these cups of water are not included in a physically active person. The more active you are the more water you should drink because your body is losing water and it should be replenished. So if you are an athlete or work out please make sure to increase this number.
Question 4: When we increase our fiber we should also increase our...
1) vegetables= 12.2%
2) fruits= 2.4%
3) water= 65.9%
4) physical activity= 22%
The correct answer is water. If you know something about fiber you know that two of the main contributors are fruit and vegetables. So if you are consuming fiber more than usual it might be from these two sources. Water is very important when increasing fiber because fiber is insoluble in our bodies, meaning it can not be broken down, so it makes you feel fuller quicker and passes through you quicker as well. This can lead to a healthy digestive system if conducted correctly. As we secrete these fluids it needs to be replenished, so if we do not increase our water intake and we are using the bathroom often it becomes easier to dehydrate and can become uncomfortable leading to stomach pains.
**Great fiber sources
Whole grains- pasta, oatmeal, brown rice, whole wheat or multigrain bread, bran flakes
Fruits- raspberries, pears, apples, strawberries, raisins
Vegetables- peas, broccoli, brussel sprouts, potatoes, carrots
Question 5: How many milligrams of sodium (salt) does the USDA suggest we stay under or maintain a day?
1) 1200= 63.4%
2) 2300= 34.1%
3) 3000= 2.4%
4) 3400= 0%
The correct choice is 2300mg/ day. This seems almost unobtainable considering 2300mg is equivalent to 1 teaspoon of salt a day, but salt can be detrimental to ones health when consumed in excess. The most important part is trying to stay away from pre-packaged foods or canned goods because they are loaded with salt as a means of preservation. Also note that although something might not have many calories it can be loaded with salt. Salt makes the body retain water and can add up those water weight pounds so try to be conscious of salt consumption.
Question 6: Cholesterol comes from what food source?
1) Animal= 65%
2) Plant= 0%
3) Fungi= 2.5%
4) All of the above= 32.5%
The correct choice is animal source. The only foods you will find with a means of cholesterol would be that from animals such as eggs, bacon, beef, etc. The body does require a certain amount of cholesterol but unfortunately we tend to consume too much of it. Cholesterol has been linked to cardiovascular disease, certain cancers and plenty more. It is important to moderate your cholesterol consumption to maintain a healthy diet.
Question 7: What is the most calorically dense macronutrient?
1) Alcohol= 22%
2) Protein= 14.6%
3) Carbohydrates= 26.8%
4) Fat= 36.6%
The correct choice is fat and although many of you picked it I'm not too sure you know why. Each macronutrient provides a certain amount of calories per gram. This means that although the package says 6g of carbs you are getting a different number in calories.
Protein provides 4 kcal/gram
Carbohydrates 4 kcal/gram
Fat 9 kcal/gram
EXAMPLE: Nissan Cup of Noodles (Chicken Flavor)
Serving Size 1 cup
*Provides 13g of fat (13x9 )
= 117 calories for 1 container
Question 8: Whole grains contain...
1) Fiber= 29.3%
2) Vitamins= 0%
3) Antioxidants= 0%
4) Minerals= 0%
5) All of the above= 75.5%
The correct answer is all of the above. When you eat a whole grain product you are being provided with nutrients that processed breads or grains do not provide. White bread provides calories but not the nutrients whereas the whole grains will provide you with both. The USDA suggests that half of your grain consumption come from whole grains.
*Remember more fiber= more water!
Question 9: An antioxidant is...
1) Food with beneficial health factors= 80.5%
2) Dark fruit= 7.3%
3) A food that gets your digestive tract flowing= 12.2%
4) A fruit that stains your tongue= 0%
The correct answer is a food with beneficial health factors. Although many of the antioxidants are provided from dark fruits like pomegranates, blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, plums and more their main function is extended health benefits. These foods when consumed can help prevent certain diseases and maintain health.
Question 10: What is the sugar known as "blood sugar"?
1) glucose= 85.4%
2) Lactose= 0%
3) Maltose= 7.3%
4) Sucrose= 7.3%
The correct answer is glucose. Most of you have heard this from diabetic information or studies. Glucose is the known sugar in the blood. Lactose is known as milk sugar, and when you are missing the enzyme lactase to break that down you are lactose intolerant. Maltose is the sugar found in beers, sucrose is more commonly known as table sugar and another sugar is fructose- the sugar found in fruits.
Overall I was impressed with how much people actually knew about nutrition whether they guessed or not. The majority of the people picked the right answer for each question.
Always make it your point to know about nutrition, it is very important in our health and lives on a daily basis.
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