Nutrition Labels and Claims
What three macronutrients are usually listed on a nutrition label?
Protein, fat, carbohydrates
What is the main function of carbohydrates?
Provide energy
True or False: Fats are important for absorbing vitamins.
True
What are proteins made of? (smallest units of proteins.)
Amino acids
What are the three main food groupings in the Canada Food Guide Plate?
Vegetables & fruits, whole grain foods, protein foods
What does the % Daily Value (%DV) tell you?
If a food has a little or a lot of a nutrient
Which type of carbohydrate gives you long-lasting energy: simple or complex?
Complex
Which type of fat is solid at room temperature?
Saturated fat
What’s the difference between a complete and incomplete protein?
Complete proteins have all essential amino acids
incomplete do not have all essential amino acids
According to the guide, what should make up half your plate?
Vegetables and fruits
What does it mean when an ingredient list says “May contain [allergen]”?
The food might have been in contact with that allergen during processing
What contributes to sugar rushes/highs?
Eating simple carbohydrates that are easily absored in the body.
What are essential fatty acids?
Fatty acids that cannot be synthesized in the body and need to be obtained through food. For example, omega-3 and omega-6
Why is it important to eat a variety of plant proteins if you don’t eat meat?
To get all essential amino acids throughout the day
Why does the Food Guide promote plant-based proteins more often than animal proteins?
They are lower in saturated fat and better for the environment
How do you know that nutrition claims are truthful, not misleading, and based on science?
Health Canada regulates nutrition and health claims on food packaging.
What is the smallest unit of carbohydrates? give an example.
monosaccharides
- glucose
- galactose
- fructose
Which type of cholesterol is considered “good”: HDL or LDL?
HDL
What happens if you don’t get enough essential amino acids in your diet?
The body breaks down muscle to get them
What is one reason the new Food Guide removed the serving sizes from the plate?
To encourage intuitive eating and reduce stress about measuring
Why is it important to compare the serving size on a nutrition label to how much you actually eat?
The label might show less than what you eat, so you could be getting more calories/nutrients than you think
Name one benefit of eating more fiber-rich foods.
Improves digestion, keeps you full longer, supports gut health
Why can eating too much saturated fat be harmful?
It can raise LDL (bad) cholesterol and increase heart disease risk
How much protein should an average person consume per kg of body weight?
0.8g of protein per kg of body weight
Why is it important to plan meals according to the Food Guide?
It helps you eat balanced meals and reduces food waste