Recommended Dietary Allowances represent:

• The average amount of a nutrient considered adequate to meet the needs of almost all healthy people.

• The minimum amount of a nutrient necessary to avoid deficiency disease.

• The optimal amount of a nutrient to prevent chronic disease.

• The highest amount of a nutrient that appears safe for most healthy people.

The typical American dietary pattern is:

• Low in refined grains

• Low in whole grains

• High in fruit

• High in dairy products

Which statement is accurate regarding characteristics of a healthy eating pattern?

• The only healthy eating pattern is a vegetarian one.

• Healthy eating patterns eliminate foods that are high in saturated fat, added sugar, and sodium (fried foods, desserts, snack chips, etc.).

• Healthy eating patterns may reduce the risk of several chronic diseases: cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers.

• Most young and middle-aged adults consume a healthy eating pattern.

A client states that there is no way they can eat all the vegetables recommended in their MyPlate plan. What is the nurse’s best response?

• “If you can’t eat all the vegetables, then make up for the difference by eating more fruit.

• “Be sure to take a daily multivitamin to provide the nutrients that may be missing from your diet.”

• “Set a goal of eating larger quantities of the vegetable servings that you currently eat, and gradually increase the servings and variety as you become more skillful in adding vegetables to your diet.”

• “No one can. The recommendations are only a guide. Just eat what you can.”

Which of the following food items is not nutrient dense?

• Sweetened applesauce

• Whole wheat break

• Plain shredded wheat

• Plain low-fat yogurt with fruit

Answer explanation

• Whole wheat bread: High in fiber, B vitamins, and minerals.

• Plain shredded wheat: Rich in fiber, iron, and complex carbohydrates without added sugars.

• Plain low-fat yogurt with fruit: Provides protein, calcium, probiotics, and vitamins, especially if the fruit is fresh and unsweetened.

Which of the following recommendations would be most effective for someone wanting to eat more fiber?

• Eat legumes more regularly.

• Eat raw vegetables in place of cooked vegetables.

• Use potatoes in place of white rice.

• Eat fruit for dessert in place of ice cream.

Which might a client who has eaten too many dietetic ­candies sweetened with sorbitol experience?

• Diarrhea

• Heartburn

• Vomiting

• Low blood glucose

Answer explanation

• Sorbitol is a type of sugar alcohol used as a low-calorie sweetener in many dietetic candies.

• It has a laxative effect because it is poorly absorbed in the small intestine, drawing water into the bowel and leading to diarrhea, especially when consumed in large amounts.

The client wants to eat fewer calories and lose weight by substituting regularly sweetened foods with those that are sweetened with sugar alternatives. Which would be the most effective at lowering calorie intake?

• Sugar-free cookies for regular cookies

• Sugar-free for regular chocolate candy

• Sugar-free soft drinks for regular soft drinks

• Sugar-free ice cream for regular ice cream

Answer explanation

• Regular soft drinks are very high in added sugars and empty calories, often containing 150–200 calories per can with no nutritional value.

• Sugar-free soft drinks contain virtually zero calories, making this substitution the most effective for significantly reducing calorie intake.

A client who is in a positive nitrogen balance is most likely to be

• Pregnant

• Starving

• A healthy adult

• Losing weight

To move toward healthier eating patterns, Americans should:

• Eat more seafood

• Eat more total protein

• Eat more mixed protein dishes, such as sandwiches, in place of eating protein as a separate food

• Replace seafood with poultry

Answer explanation

Seafood is an excellent source of lean protein, healthy fats (like omega-3 fatty acids), and other essential nutrients, making it a key component of a healthy eating pattern.

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend increasing the consumption of seafood for better heart health and to reduce the intake of higher-fat animal proteins, like red meat.

Why not the other options?

b. Eat more total protein: It's not about increasing total protein, but rather choosing higher-quality protein sources like seafood, legumes, and lean meats over processed meats and red meats.

c. Eat more mixed protein dishes, such as sandwiches, in place of eating protein as a separate food: While sandwiches can be part of a balanced diet, focusing on specific nutrient-rich foods (like seafood) is more beneficial for overall health.

d. Replace seafood with poultry: While poultry is a healthy option, seafood is particularly highlighted for its unique health benefits, especially omega-3s.