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Healthy Answers

By
Mary Atkinson

Do you know the facts about fats? Are you clued up on
carbohydrates? Test your nutrition know-how with this
special quiz devised by Mary Atkinson ..
A pencil and piece of paper to write your answers on:

1 Salt is a major cause of high blood pressure, which can
lead to strokes and heart attacks. On average we eat
around 13g of salt a day, yet the recommended amount
is less than 6g. Which of these foods contains the
most salt per serving?
a) Packet of crisps
b) Bowl of cornflakes
c) Banana

2 Health experts agree that many of us are dehydrated
which can lead to headaches, lethargy and dry skin.
How much water should we drink every day?
a) 8 glasses
b) 1 glass
c) 5 glasses

3 Not all fat is bad for us. Some foods are rich in
essential fatty acids, which are vital to health. Which
of these foods is the best source of "good" fat?
a) Low-fat cheese and spreads
b) Oily fish such as salmon and mackerel
c) Red meat such as lamb and beef

4 Many diseases are linked with diet. Which is the most
widespread nutrition-related disease in Britain?
a) Dental disease
b) Tinnitus
c) Cancer

5 One of these foods contains the recommended daily
intake of Vitamin C for one adult? Which one?
a) A spoonful of jam
b) One kiwi fruit
c) Two new potatoes

6 Which of these is the most nutritious way of cooking
vegetables?
a) Micro-waving
b) Boiling
c) Steaming

7 Which of these bar snack choices is the healthiest and
least fattening option?
a) Quiche salad
b) Jacket potato and baked beans
c) Cheese and tomato sandwich

8 Many shops now stock organic foods. What is the most
accurate description of organic foods?
a) Foods produced without the use of chemicals such as
pesticides and fertilizers
b) Foods which contain no animal fat, so are suitable for
vegetarians
c) Foods which are supposed to be healthier for you

9 Excess alcohol can harm health. What are the
guidelines for staying within sensible limits? (One unit
equals half pint of standard beer or small glass of
wine.)
a) No more than 4 units (6 for men) every day
b) No more than 14 units (21 for men) over the week
c) No more than 14 units (21 for men) spread throughout
the week with one or two drink-free days

10 Why are wholemeal bread and cereal foods better for
your health than white or refined varieties?
a) They are more filling so you are less likely to snack
b) They are a better source of fiber and essential
nutrients
c) They contain fewer calories

11 Dairy produce is a good source of calcium which is
essential for strong, healthy bones and teeth. Of
these other foods which is the richest in calcium?
a) Oranges
b) Sesame seeds
c) Broccoli

12 Antioxidant is the latest buzz-word. But what are
antioxidants?
a) A kind of protein found in bread which helps relieve
constipation
b) Nutrients such as vitamins A, C and E which help
protect the body from a variety of diseases including
cancer and heart disease
c) Something you get in a multi-vitamin supplement

13 To reduce the risk of certain diseases, we should aim
to keep our fat intake to a maximum of 40 g every
day. A pint of full-fat milk contains 22g of fat. How
many grams of fat are there in a pint of
semi-skimmed milk?
a) 2g
b) 11g
c) 15g

14 An average women eats around 2000 calories a day.
For a balanced diet should you eat more
carbohydrates such as bread, pasta and cereals or
proteins such as meat, fish and nuts?
a) A little more carbohydrate than protein
b) Around half the amount of carbohydrates to protein
c) At least double the amount of carbohydrates than
proteins

15 Many women are deficient in iron which is found in
green, leafy vegetables, offal, pulses and eggs. What
are the most common symptoms of lack of iron?
a) Dry skin and dandruff
b) Headaches
c) Tiredness, lethargy and anaemia

Look back over your answers to see how you scored...
1. a)5 b)6 c)1
2. a)6 b)1 c)4
3. a)3 b)6 c)0
4. a)6 b)1 c)5
5. a)1 b)6 c)4
6. a)5 b)3 c)6
7. a)1 b)6 c)4
8. a)6 b)0 c)4
9. a)1 b)4 c)6
10. a)4 b)6 c)1
11. a)1 b)6 c)4
12. a)0 b)6 c)3
13. a)1 b)6 c)4
14. a)3 b)0 c)6
15. a)1 b)4 c)6

The correct answer for each question scores 6 points so
the maximum score is 90.

80 - 90 You're obviously very interested in nutrition and have
a well-balanced diet full of essential nutrients. Good for you-
keep it up. But do remember that it's important to enjoy
your food too - there's nothing worse than a nutrition bore!

55 - 80 You've got a pretty good idea of what you should be
eating and drinking but you're a little hazy in some areas.
Do try to keep yourself well informed - it's amazing how
much difference a few simple dietary changes can make to
your health and well-being.

25 - 55 You seem to be a little confused about the
nutritional content of food and drink. Don't be misled by
myths and half-truths - with some accurate knowledge you
will be able to make positive changes towards a more
well-balanced diet.

0 - 25 However good your intentions, if you're lacking in
essential nutritional information then you are far less likely
to have healthy eating habits. Make an effort to log onto the
www.healthyanswers.co.uk 

website every week to get up to date nutrition news and facts.