Nutrition quiz

Answers

1) The UK recommended daily calcium intake for an adult woman is 700mg per day. Which of these foods contains around 700mg of calcium?

1. 3.5oz (100g) of cheddar cheese
2. 3.5oz (100g) of low fat fruit yoghurt
3. 3.5 oz (100g) of boiled spinach
4. 3.5 oz (100g) of dairy ice cream, with 3.5oz (100g) of dried apricots

The correct answer is A.

A 3.5oz (100g) contains an estimated 739mg of calcium. All the other foods in the list are good sources of calcium, but they don't come near the daily amount. Other foods very high in calcium are certain fish, including whitebait and sardines.

2) Which of these vitamins can be taken into the body from sunlight?

1. vitamin A
2. vitamin B
3. vitamin C
4. vitamin D

The right answer is D.

Vitamin D is needed by the body to absorb calcium which helps maintain healthy bones. Most people who are out and about absorb plenty of this vitamin through the sun's rays, but older people, especially those who are housebound, need to take extra care that they have a sufficient vitamin D intake - everyone over the age of 65 is recommended to take a daily vitamin D supplement. Food sources of vitamin D include margarine and oily fish.

3) If a food label in the UK says 'contains organic ingredients' what proportion of the product must be organic?

1. 100 percent
2. 95-100 percent
3. 70-95 percent
4. at least 50 percent

The correct answer is C.

But, if a product is simply labelled 'organic' then it has to contain at least 95 per cent organic ingredients.

4) What is the difference between a 'use by' date and a 'best before' date?

1. a 'best before' date shows how long a shop can sell a food, 'use by' shows when you need to eat it
2. they mean exactly the same, but 'best before' is used for packaged foods
3. 'best before' gives a deadline for freezing food, 'use by' gives a date for eating it
4. a 'use by' date is given for foods that could be dangerous if you eat them after expiry, a 'best before' date just shows it might not taste as good

The best answer is D.

Foods, such as meat and fish can cause food poisoning if they aren't eaten within a certain time limit, even if they look and taste fine. These foods are marked with a 'use by' date. Other foods, such as coffee granules and biscuits have a 'best before' date because they may not look or taste as good after the expiry date.

5) According to studies, what proportion of UK adults have a food intolerance?

1. 1-2 percent
2. 5 percent
3. 15-20 percent
4. 50 percent

The correct answer is A.

However, an estimated 10-20 percent of UK adults claim to be intolerant or 'allergic' to a food.

6) As part of a healthy diet, which of the following foods has been highlighted as helping to cut your risk of a coronary heart disease?

1. pasta
2. lean steak
3. oily fish
4. skinless chicken

The right answer is C.

Oily fish, including salmon, mackerel and sardines are rich in a special type of fat known as omega 3 fatty acids. A good intake of omega 3 fatty acids has been shown to substantially reduce a person's risk of a fatal heart attack. The UK Government recommends eating one to two portions of oily fish every week.

7) Which of the following counts as one portion towards the recommended five plus portions of fruit and vegetables per day?

1. a dessert bowl of salad
2. a 150ml glass of fruit juice
3. three heaped tablespoons of beans or pulses
4. all of the above

The right answer is D.

All of these foods represent a portion towards your five a day.

8) For a general healthy diet, approximately what percentage of your daily calories should be made up from starchy foods like bread and potatoes?

1. 10 percent
2. 33 percent
3. 66 percent
4. 75 percent

The right answer is B.

We should get our main source of energy from starchy foods. Of course, some carbohydrate foods are better than others - wholegrain rice, bread and pasta are the healthier choices, while sugary foods should be kept to an occasional treat.

9) The recommended daily salt intake in the UK is 6g per day. But how much salt does the average man and woman in Britain actually consume?

1. men consume an average 7g, women an average 6g
2. men and women both have about 6g per day
3. men consume an average 11g, women an average 8g
4. men and women consume an average 15g

The right answer is C.

Even if you don't add sprinkle salt over your dinner, eating more than the recommended daily allowance is alarmingly easy - 75 per cent of salt we consume is already in the foods we eat, such as ready-made soups, breads and ready meals. High salt intake is linked to raised blood pressure, so it makes sense to cut down.

10) According to nutrition experts what percentage of body weight lost in fluids may result in reduced mental and physical performance?

1. one percent
2. two percent
3. five percent
4. ten percent

The correct answer is B.

Of course, the amount of fluid we need to drink each day varies from person to person, and depends on what we're doing and the climate where we live. Excessive fluid intake should be avoided as it can cause serious health problems.