TEST your nutrition knowledge with this simple quiz:
1. Which of the following foods contain cholesterol?
a. Peanuts b. Sausages c. Santan
Answer: b
Only foods derived from animal sources contain cholesterol. Santan and peanuts are from plant sources, so they have no cholesterol.
2. What is the nutrition terminology for table sugar?
a. Fructose b. Glucose c. Sucrose
Answer: c
Sucrose is found in sugar cane, sugar beets, honey and maple syrup.
3. What is baryophobia?
a. Allergic reaction to berries.
b. Fear of becoming too heavy.
c. You lose your appetite after listening to songs by Barry Manilow
Answer: b
Baryophobia is a disorder associated with poor growth rate in children whose parents underfeed them in an attempt to prevent obesity.
4. For a healthy individual, what is the minimum amount of water you should drink in a day?
a. 4 cups b. 8 cups c. 16 cups
Answer: b
Drink more water if you perspire a lot, or drink caffeinated beverages or alcohol. Rule of thumb: One additional cup of water for every cup of caffeine or alcohol you consume)
5. Which of the following fat is usually solid at room temperature?
a. Polyunsaturated fat
b. Monounsaturated fat
c. Saturated fat
Answer: c
Saturated fats such as animal fat, tallow, ghee and lard are usually solid at room temperature. Poly and monounsaturated fats are liquid at room temperature.
6. What food would you commonly find streptococcus thermophilus and lactobacillus?
a. Chocolate cake b. Yoghurt
c. Puff pastry
Answer: b
Streptococcus thermophilus and lactobacillus are live active cultures which are great for your digestive tract.
7. Which one of the following vitamins can your body synthesise from sunlight?
a. Vitamin C
b. Vitamin K
c. Vitamin D
Answer: c
Vitamin D is also known as the sunshine vitamin. A mere 10 minutes of indirect sun exposure every day is all that your body needs.
8. What is one of the best ways to prevent high blood pressure?
a. Eat foods high in sodium.
b. Live a stressful, hectic lifestyle.
c. Indulge in regular exercise and a healthy lifestyle.
Answer: c
Hypertension tends to develop in adults who have a family history of it. Individuals sensitive to sodium can develop sodium-induced hypertension. Limit your alcohol intake to no more than one drink daily and learn to relax.
9. A glass of water has how many calories?
a. 50 calories
b. Zero calories
c. 10 calories
Answer: b
So there’s no reason not to drink up!
10. Beriberi is a disease caused by the deficiency of which vitamin?
a. Vitamin C
b. Vitamin E
c. Thiamin (also known as Vitamin B1)
Answer: c
Beriberi mean “I can’t, I can’t” in Sinhalese. Symptoms include weakness, loss of appetite, irritability, nervous tingling and poor coordination. Good food sources of thiamin are grains, bread, pork, green beans, peanuts, organ meats and seeds. Certain fish and shellfish contain an enzyme called thiaminase, which destroys thiamin. Fortunately, cooking inactivates thiaminase.
11. What food should you avoid during pregnancy?
a. Raw or undercooked meat.
b. Foods with fibre.
c. Fruit juices.
Answer: a
Raw or undercooked meats contain bacteria that can cause food borne illness, which is harmful during pregnancy. Make sure all meats are thoroughly cooked.
12. Which of the following nutrient components is the building block for cells and muscle tissue in your body?
a. Carbohydrates b. Protein c. Fat
Answer: b
Foods that contain protein are needed in your daily diet for the good health and function of cells and to build lean muscle tissue.
13. A person with Celiac disease will not be able to eat what?
a. Foods containing lactose.
b. Foods containing spices.
c. Foods containing gluten.
Answer: c
A person with Celiac disease has an adverse reaction to gluten, a type of protein found in wheat and certain other grains such as barley and rye.
14. What is a good way to remove excess oil from liquid dishes?
a. Add pepper to the dish.
b. Chill the dish in the fridge and remove the hardened oil at the top.
c. Use a wooden spoon to stir the dish.
Answer: b
Once you remove the hardened oil, reheat the dish thoroughly before serving.
15. The Malaysian Dietary Guidelines recommends how many servings of fruit and vegetables each day?
a. 2 servings of fruit, 3 servings of vegetables.
b. 1 servings of fruit, 1 serving of vegetables.
c. 2 servings of fruit, 2 servings of vegetables.
Answer: a
A serving of fruit is a small apple, orange, a banana or a slice of fruit. A serving of cooked vegetables is half a cup. If it is raw (or ulam), one serving is a cup.
16. A Body Mass Index reading of what number is considered obese?
a. 18 b. 22 c. 30
Answer: c
You want to maintain a Body Mass Index reading of between 20 and 25 as that is a healthy range.
17. If you are lactose intolerant, which of the following choices would you not be able to consume?
a. Mushrooms b. Milk c. Sweet potato
Answer: b
People who are lactose intolerant lack the enzyme to breakdown lactose, which is the natural carbohydrate in milk and dairy.
18. The important function of this vitamin is for blood clotting and wound healing. What vitamin is this?
a. Vitamin K
b. Vitamin B
c. Vitamin A
Answer: a
Vitamin K is found in leafy green vegetables, fish, liver, meat, eggs and cereals.
19. What reduces your iron absorption from your meal?
a. Eating fruit as an after meal dessert.
b. Drinking coffee after a meal.
c. Having vegetables as a side dish with your meal.
Asnwer: b
Caffeine which is found in coffee, tea, certain carbonated sodas, energy drinks and cocoa will cut down your iron absorption from your meal. Vitamin C, on the other hand, helps with iron absorption. Fruit and vegetables are good sources of Vitamin C. Eating them with an iron-rich meal is recommended.
20. Which of the following food is a good source of beta carotene?
a. Grapes b. Pumpkin c. Brinjal
Answer: b
Beta carotene is a compound that the body converts to Vitamin A when needed. Fruit and vegetables that are deep yellow and orange in colour are good sources of beta carotene.