Nutrition Detectives
This nutrient provides 4 calories per gram and is the body's preferred source of energy during most activities.
What are carbohydrates?
If the serving size is 1 cup but you eat 2 cups, you consume this many servings.
What are 2 servings?
Which breakfast is likely to keep you full longer: sugary cereal or eggs and whole-grain toast?
What is eggs and whole-grain toast?
This nutrient is most quickly used by muscles during exercise.
What are carbohydrates?
"Carbohydrates are always unhealthy."
What is a myth?
A food label says a serving contains 15g of protein. This serving provides approximately this many calories from protein.
What is 60 calories?
A cereal contains 12 grams of added sugar per serving. Eating three servings gives you this amount.
What is 36 grams of added sugar?
Which snack provides protein, fiber, and healthy fats: potato chips or apple slices with peanut butter?
What are apple slices with peanut butter?
Athletes need this nutrient after workouts to help repair muscle tissue.
What is protein?
"You can eat healthy foods and still enjoy treats sometimes."
What is a fact?
Compared to white bread, whole-grain bread generally contains more of this nutrient that supports digestion.
What is fiber?
This section of the Nutrition Facts label lists ingredients from highest to lowest amount.
What is the ingredient list?
Which drink usually has less added sugar: water or fruit punch?
What is water?
This is often the first sign of mild dehydration during sports.
What is thirst?
"Natural sugar and added sugar are exactly the same nutritionally."
What is a myth?
A teenager who skips meals all day and then overeats at night may be disrupting this body's natural hunger and fullness signaling system.
What is appetite regulation (or hunger/fullness cues)?
f sugar appears among the first three ingredients, the food likely contains a relatively high amount of this.
What is added sugar?
Which lunch is likely to provide more sustained energy: fast-food fries only or a turkey sandwich with fruit?
What is the turkey sandwich with fruit?
A soccer player has a game in one hour. A large cheeseburger is usually not ideal because it is high in this nutrient, which digests more slowly.
What is fat?
"A balanced diet can include foods from all food groups."
What is a fact?
This nutrient slows digestion and can help you feel full longer when added to meals.
What is protein (or healthy fats)?
Two granola bars have the same calories, but one has 6g fiber and 12g protein while the other has 1g fiber and 1g protein. Nutrition experts would generally favor this bar.
What is the first bar?
Which meal is more balanced: pasta with soda or pasta with grilled chicken and vegetables?
What is pasta with grilled chicken and vegetables?
A runner has oatmeal, fruit, and yogurt before a race. This eating strategy is designed to maximize these energy stores.
What are glycogen stores?
"Detox teas remove toxins better than your body's organs."
What is a myth?