Nutrition Basics
This is the science of how food nourishes the body and influences health.
What is nutrition
Where on a food package should you look to determine the predominant ingredient?
What is the ingredients list? (Ingredients are listed in descending order by weight.)
Among .com, .gov, and .edu, which domain is generally the least reliable for nutrition information?
What is .com? (While some .com sites may be credible, they are often commercial and less regulated.)
What is the primary function of the small intestine in digestion?
What is absorption of nutrients into the bloodstream or lymphatic system?
People with this condition lack the enzyme needed to digest dairy products.
What is lactose intolerance? (Caused by a deficiency of lactase, the enzyme that digests lactose.)
What is the World Health Organization’s definition of health?
A state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
What percentage of the Daily Value (%DV) is considered a “high” source of a nutrient?
What is 20% or more?
Name one common characteristic of junk science.
What is the claim that something is "too good to be true," or relies on anecdotal evidence?
Which organelle is responsible for producing ATP in the body?
What is the mitochondria?
What autoimmune disorder requires complete avoidance of gluten due to damage to the small intestine?
What is celiac disease? (An autoimmune disorder triggered by gluten ingestion.)
Name two of the top four leading causes of death in the U.S. that are related to nutrition.
What are heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes?
How many calories come from 10g of fat?
What is 90 kcal? (10g × 9 kcal/g = 90 kcal)
This type of study involves human participants who are randomly assigned to groups to test a specific intervention.
What is a randomized controlled trial (RCT)?
Why is glucose so important for human metabolism?
What is its role as the primary energy source for cells? (Glucose is essential for ATP production.)
Which of these two conditions is an autoimmune disease: IBS or IBD?
What is IBD (inflammatory bowel disease)? (It includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.)
Other than diet, name one factor that affects health.
What is genetics, physical activity, environment, or socioeconomic status?
This concept refers to eating a variety of foods in appropriate proportions to meet nutrient needs.
What is balance?
Which type of study provides the strongest evidence in nutrition science?
What is a meta-analysis? (It combines data from multiple studies for stronger conclusions.)
What is the key difference between a food allergy and a food intolerance?
What is an immune response to a specific food protein versus an inability to digest a component of food?
What is the medical term for chronic heartburn caused by stomach acid flowing back into the esophagus?
What is gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)?
Which nutrient class provides the body with the most energy per gram?
What is fat? (9 kcal/gram)
What is one key difference between MyPlate and the Harvard Healthy Eating Plate?
What is the inclusion of healthy fats and water on the Harvard Healthy Eating Plate? (Other differences include more emphasis on whole grains and plant-based proteins.)
What are the five steps of the scientific method?
What are observation, hypothesis, experiment, analysis, and conclusion? (The process is cyclical, not linear.)
Name one structure in the small intestine that increases its surface area for absorption.
What are villi and microvilli? (They increase surface area for absorption.)
What is a common cause of peptic ulcers?
What is Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection or prolonged NSAID use?