5
Nutrition: Test Your Understanding
Teacher's Guide
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ward
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science
1. How do organisms obtain the nutrients needed for life?
Organisms nourish themselves by assimilating nutrients from their surroundings and from
consuming foods.
2. What is a way other than nutrition to obtain vitamin D?
Vitamin D may be obtained through adequate, consistent exposure to sunlight.
3. What is the difference between whole and nonwhole foods?
Whole foods have not been processed and still retain their nutritional value, such as whole grains,
legumes, fish, vegetables and fruits. Nonwhole foods are technology derived, refined foods such as
purified sugars, separated fats, alcohol, and milled grains.
4. Critical Thinking: What are some choices of whole foods that can replace nonwhole foods when eating
in a restaurant?
Sample answer: A person may choose grilled meat rather than fried meat, choose steamed vegetables
instead of fries, avoid white breads, and choose water over soda.
5. Critical Thinking: Why is the use of Dietary Reference Intakes, such as the Recommended Daily
Allowance, promoted in the U.S. and other countries, even though these may not be statistically correct
for all individuals?
Sample answer: Dietary Reference Intakes take into account the general biochemistry of nutrients,
and have some built-in statistical adjustments for age and other factors. Although they are not
exact, they do provide consumers with a heightened health awareness that can prevent nutritional
deficiency diseases, such as scurvy.
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