Chapter 4 Nutrition Guidelines
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Experts have developed a number of tools to help people evaluate their
diets and make wise food choices. The Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) are
reference values for nutrients and food components that can be used to plan
and assess diets for healthy people. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans
provides information and advice to promote health through improved nutrition
and physical activity. MyPlate can be used for an individualized approach to
planning and implementing a healthy diet.
The Exchange Lists for Meal Planning system classifies foods into groups
of similar nutrient and caloric content. The Exchange Lists can be used to plan
a healthy meal or follow a special diet. Daily Values on food labels show how
servings of food products contribute to daily nutrient needs.
These tools can be used by health professionals and individuals to
promote healthy food choices and physical activity. A food diary can be used to
keep track of the kinds and amounts of foods and beverages consumed. This
information can be analyzed to determine if an individual’s daily nutrient needs
are being met. Use the recommendations and tools from ChooseMyPlate.gov
to plan balanced menus and track progress toward meeting nutrient needs.
1. True or false. Dietary Reference Intakes are used to plan and assess diets
for individuals who have a chronic disease.
2. What are the two basic themes of the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans?
3. Why does the 2010 Dietary Guidelines address physical activity?
4. What message is communicated by the MyPlate image?
5. How do you create a personalized food plan using MyPlate?
6. True or false. MyPlate uses volume and weight measures rather than
number of servings to tell you the amounts of food you should eat.
7. How are foods in the same exchange list similar?
8. One fruit exchange from the fruit list has _____ grams of carbohydrates
and _____ calories.
9. Percent Daily Values used as references on food labels are based on a
_____-calorie diet.
10. Give two tips for keeping a food diary that will increase the validity of a
diet analysis.
11. What is a food composition table?
12. Make inferences. Make four inferences supporting reasons why all
Americans should fully utilize the nutrition guidelines available to them.
13. Identify evidence. What evidence can you give to support the theory that
many people lack understanding about portion size? How can using the
nutrition guidelines increase understanding and lead to healthful living?
Critical Thinking
Review Learning
Reading Summary