Nutrition Reading Comprehension

Which word in the passage means the same as 'adequate'?

A balanced diet means getting the right types and amounts of foods and drinks to supply nutrition and energy for maintaining body cells, tissues, and organs, and for supporting normal growth and development. Eating a balanced diet means choosing a wide variety of foods and drinks from all the food groups. It also means eating certain things in moderation, namely saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, refined sugar, salt and alcohol. The goal is to take in nutrients you need for health at the recommended levels. Your balanced diet must be planned at your own calorie level, and portion size is key. You want to get the most nutrients for the calories by choosing food with a high-nutrient density. Nutrient-dense foods provide substantial amounts of vitamins and minerals and relatively few calories, such as fresh fruit and vegetables, lean meat and fish, and whole grains and beans. Low-nutrient dense foods have few vitamins but lots of calories, such as candy bars, soda, donuts and onion rings. Nutrition guidelines recommend eating a wide variety of foods. But, there's a school of thought that eating variety of foods leads to overeating. There is the tendency to stay hungry longer and eat more food when flavors are diverse and keep changing because we fill up on fewer calories when flavor variety is controlled. We have seen this principle in action when we come home with a load of groceries and want to sample the wide variety of tasty foods.

What does the phrase 'a school of thought' mean?

A balanced diet means getting the right types and amounts of foods and drinks to supply nutrition and energy for maintaining body cells, tissues, and organs, and for supporting normal growth and development. Eating a balanced diet means choosing a wide variety of foods and drinks from all the food groups. It also means eating certain things in moderation, namely saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, refined sugar, salt and alcohol. The goal is to take in nutrients you need for health at the recommended levels. Your balanced diet must be planned at your own calorie level, and portion size is key. You want to get the most nutrients for the calories by choosing food with a high-nutrient density. Nutrient-dense foods provide substantial amounts of vitamins and minerals and relatively few calories, such as fresh fruit and vegetables, lean meat and fish, and whole grains and beans. Low-nutrient dense foods have few vitamins but lots of calories, such as candy bars, soda, donuts and onion rings. Nutrition guidelines recommend eating a wide variety of foods. But, there's a school of thought that eating variety of foods leads to overeating. There is the tendency to stay hungry longer and eat more food when flavors are diverse and keep changing because we fill up on fewer calories when flavor variety is controlled. We have seen this principle in action when we come home with a load of groceries and want to sample the wide variety of tasty foods.

A balanced diet means

A balanced diet means getting the right types and amounts of foods and drinks to supply nutrition and energy for maintaining body cells, tissues, and organs, and for supporting normal growth and development. Eating a balanced diet means choosing a wide variety of foods and drinks from all the food groups. It also means eating certain things in moderation, namely saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, refined sugar, salt and alcohol. The goal is to take in nutrients you need for health at the recommended levels. Your balanced diet must be planned at your own calorie level, and portion size is key. You want to get the most nutrients for the calories by choosing food with a high-nutrient density. Nutrient-dense foods provide substantial amounts of vitamins and minerals and relatively few calories, such as fresh fruit and vegetables, lean meat and fish, and whole grains and beans. Low-nutrient dense foods have few vitamins but lots of calories, such as candy bars, soda, donuts and onion rings. Nutrition guidelines recommend eating a wide variety of foods. But, there's a school of thought that eating variety of foods leads to overeating. There is the tendency to stay hungry longer and eat more food when flavors are diverse and keep changing because we fill up on fewer calories when flavor variety is controlled. We have seen this principle in action when we come home with a load of groceries and want to sample the wide variety of tasty foods.

How does eating a variety of foods lead to over-eating?

A balanced diet means getting the right types and amounts of foods and drinks to supply nutrition and energy for maintaining body cells, tissues, and organs, and for supporting normal growth and development. Eating a balanced diet means choosing a wide variety of foods and drinks from all the food groups. It also means eating certain things in moderation, namely saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, refined sugar, salt and alcohol. The goal is to take in nutrients you need for health at the recommended levels. Your balanced diet must be planned at your own calorie level, and portion size is key. You want to get the most nutrients for the calories by choosing food with a high-nutrient density. Nutrient-dense foods provide substantial amounts of vitamins and minerals and relatively few calories, such as fresh fruit and vegetables, lean meat and fish, and whole grains and beans. Low-nutrient dense foods have few vitamins but lots of calories, such as candy bars, soda, donuts and onion rings. Nutrition guidelines recommend eating a wide variety of foods. But, there's a school of thought that eating variety of foods leads to overeating. There is the tendency to stay hungry longer and eat more food when flavors are diverse and keep changing because we fill up on fewer calories when flavor variety is controlled. We have seen this principle in action when we come home with a load of groceries and want to sample the wide variety of tasty foods.

Find two words in the passage which are antonyms:

Even though we never actually digest roughage, it works wonders on our digestive system. Roughage, also known as dietary fiber, comes from the plant-based complex carbohydrates found in fruit, vegetables, grains, beans and nuts. Unlike fats or proteins, fiber is neither digested nor absorbed, but it helps carry the food through our system and keeps it running smoothly. Fiber can be soluble or insoluble, each of which affects our digestion differently. Most fiber-rich foods contains a mixture of both. Roughage is understood to be an essential part of any healthy diet plan. Its main function is to add bulk to the diet, which in turn aids in the digestion process and healthy function of the bowel system. There are many different sources of roughage like fruit, whole grains and every type of vegetables. There are two basic reasons that people should be sure that they have enough roughage in their diet. First, many of the foods that contain this bulk can help an individual to feel full more quickly. This can help to minimize the chances of overeating, and help people who are trying to lose weight. Second, because some types of fiber cannot be totally absorbed by the body, the unused portion of the material helps to clean out the digestive tract and bowel. The cleaning action helps to keep these vital areas less susceptible to infection and disease and aids in overall health.

What is the main source of fiber?

Even though we never actually digest roughage, it works wonders on our digestive system. Roughage, also known as dietary fiber, comes from the plant-based complex carbohydrates found in fruit, vegetables, grains, beans and nuts. Unlike fats or proteins, fiber is neither digested nor absorbed, but it helps carry the food through our system and keeps it running smoothly. Fiber can be soluble or insoluble, each of which affects our digestion differently. Most fiber-rich foods contains a mixture of both. Roughage is understood to be an essential part of any healthy diet plan. Its main function is to add bulk to the diet, which in turn aids in the digestion process and healthy function of the bowel system. There are many different sources of roughage like fruit, whole grains and every type of vegetables. There are two basic reasons that people should be sure that they have enough roughage in their diet. First, many of the foods that contain this bulk can help an individual to feel full more quickly. This can help to minimize the chances of overeating, and help people who are trying to lose weight. Second, because some types of fiber cannot be totally absorbed by the body, the unused portion of the material helps to clean out the digestive tract and bowel. The cleaning action helps to keep these vital areas less susceptible to infection and disease and aids in overall health.

How is 'roughage' different from other food components?

Even though we never actually digest roughage, it works wonders on our digestive system. Roughage, also known as dietary fiber, comes from the plant-based complex carbohydrates found in fruit, vegetables, grains, beans and nuts. Unlike fats or proteins, fiber is neither digested nor absorbed, but it helps carry the food through our system and keeps it running smoothly. Fiber can be soluble or insoluble, each of which affects our digestion differently. Most fiber-rich foods contains a mixture of both. Roughage is understood to be an essential part of any healthy diet plan. Its main function is to add bulk to the diet, which in turn aids in the digestion process and healthy function of the bowel system. There are many different sources of roughage like fruit, whole grains and every type of vegetables. There are two basic reasons that people should be sure that they have enough roughage in their diet. First, many of the foods that contain this bulk can help an individual to feel full more quickly. This can help to minimize the chances of overeating, and help people who are trying to lose weight. Second, because some types of fiber cannot be totally absorbed by the body, the unused portion of the material helps to clean out the digestive tract and bowel. The cleaning action helps to keep these vital areas less susceptible to infection and disease and aids in overall health.

Why is roughage an important part of the diet plan?

Even though we never actually digest roughage, it works wonders on our digestive system. Roughage, also known as dietary fiber, comes from the plant-based complex carbohydrates found in fruit, vegetables, grains, beans and nuts. Unlike fats or proteins, fiber is neither digested nor absorbed, but it helps carry the food through our system and keeps it running smoothly. Fiber can be soluble or insoluble, each of which affects our digestion differently. Most fiber-rich foods contains a mixture of both. Roughage is understood to be an essential part of any healthy diet plan. Its main function is to add bulk to the diet, which in turn aids in the digestion process and healthy function of the bowel system. There are many different sources of roughage like fruit, whole grains and every type of vegetables. There are two basic reasons that people should be sure that they have enough roughage in their diet. First, many of the foods that contain this bulk can help an individual to feel full more quickly. This can help to minimize the chances of overeating, and help people who are trying to lose weight. Second, because some types of fiber cannot be totally absorbed by the body, the unused portion of the material helps to clean out the digestive tract and bowel. The cleaning action helps to keep these vital areas less susceptible to infection and disease and aids in overall health.

How many types of fiber can be found?

Even though we never actually digest roughage, it works wonders on our digestive system. Roughage, also known as dietary fiber, comes from the plant-based complex carbohydrates found in fruit, vegetables, grains, beans and nuts. Unlike fats or proteins, fiber is neither digested nor absorbed, but it helps carry the food through our system and keeps it running smoothly. Fiber can be soluble or insoluble, each of which affects our digestion differently. Most fiber-rich foods contains a mixture of both. Roughage is understood to be an essential part of any healthy diet plan. Its main function is to add bulk to the diet, which in turn aids in the digestion process and healthy function of the bowel system. There are many different sources of roughage like fruit, whole grains and every type of vegetables. There are two basic reasons that people should be sure that they have enough roughage in their diet. First, many of the foods that contain this bulk can help an individual to feel full more quickly. This can help to minimize the chances of overeating, and help people who are trying to lose weight. Second, because some types of fiber cannot be totally absorbed by the body, the unused portion of the material helps to clean out the digestive tract and bowel. The cleaning action helps to keep these vital areas less susceptible to infection and disease and aids in overall health.

Why are micronutrients essential for our body?

Vitamins and minerals are essential nutrients because they perform hundreds of roles in the body They help shore up bones, heal wounds and bolster our immune system. They also convert food into energy, and repair cellular damage. They are known mainly by their initials (such as vitamins A,B,C,D,E, and K—to name just a few). Vitamins and minerals are often called micronutrients because our body needs only tiny amounts of them. Yet failing to get even those small quantities virtually guarantees disease. Although they are all considered micronutrients, vitamins and minerals differ in basic ways. Vitamins are organic and can be broken down by heat, air or acid. Minerals are inorganic and hold on to their chemical structure. It means the minerals in soil and water easily find their way into our body through the plants, fish, animals and fluids we consume. But it’s tougher to shuttle vitamins from food and other sources into our body because cooking, storage and simple exposure to air can inactivate these more fragile compounds. There is a fine line between getting enough of these nutrients (which is healthy) and getting too much (which can end up harming you). Eating a healthy diet remains the best way to get sufficient amounts of the vitamins and minerals you need.

What is the other name for vitamins and minerals?

Vitamins and minerals are essential nutrients because they perform hundreds of roles in the body They help shore up bones, heal wounds and bolster our immune system. They also convert food into energy, and repair cellular damage. They are known mainly by their initials (such as vitamins A,B,C,D,E, and K—to name just a few). Vitamins and minerals are often called micronutrients because our body needs only tiny amounts of them. Yet failing to get even those small quantities virtually guarantees disease. Although they are all considered micronutrients, vitamins and minerals differ in basic ways. Vitamins are organic and can be broken down by heat, air or acid. Minerals are inorganic and hold on to their chemical structure. It means the minerals in soil and water easily find their way into our body through the plants, fish, animals and fluids we consume. But it’s tougher to shuttle vitamins from food and other sources into our body because cooking, storage and simple exposure to air can inactivate these more fragile compounds. There is a fine line between getting enough of these nutrients (which is healthy) and getting too much (which can end up harming you). Eating a healthy diet remains the best way to get sufficient amounts of the vitamins and minerals you need.

Why it is not easy to meet the vitamin requirement of our body?

Vitamins and minerals are essential nutrients because they perform hundreds of roles in the body They help shore up bones, heal wounds and bolster our immune system. They also convert food into energy, and repair cellular damage. They are known mainly by their initials (such as vitamins A,B,C,D,E, and K—to name just a few). Vitamins and minerals are often called micronutrients because our body needs only tiny amounts of them. Yet failing to get even those small quantities virtually guarantees disease. Although they are all considered micronutrients, vitamins and minerals differ in basic ways. Vitamins are organic and can be broken down by heat, air or acid. Minerals are inorganic and hold on to their chemical structure. It means the minerals in soil and water easily find their way into our body through the plants, fish, animals and fluids we consume. But it’s tougher to shuttle vitamins from food and other sources into our body because cooking, storage and simple exposure to air can inactivate these more fragile compounds. There is a fine line between getting enough of these nutrients (which is healthy) and getting too much (which can end up harming you). Eating a healthy diet remains the best way to get sufficient amounts of the vitamins and minerals you need.

Which word in the passage means 'easy to damage or break'?

Vitamins and minerals are essential nutrients because they perform hundreds of roles in the body They help shore up bones, heal wounds and bolster our immune system. They also convert food into energy, and repair cellular damage. They are known mainly by their initials (such as vitamins A,B,C,D,E, and K—to name just a few). Vitamins and minerals are often called micronutrients because our body needs only tiny amounts of them. Yet failing to get even those small quantities virtually guarantees disease. Although they are all considered micronutrients, vitamins and minerals differ in basic ways. Vitamins are organic and can be broken down by heat, air or acid. Minerals are inorganic and hold on to their chemical structure. It means the minerals in soil and water easily find their way into our body through the plants, fish, animals and fluids we consume. But it’s tougher to shuttle vitamins from food and other sources into our body because cooking, storage and simple exposure to air can inactivate these more fragile compounds. There is a fine line between getting enough of these nutrients (which is healthy) and getting too much (which can end up harming you). Eating a healthy diet remains the best way to get sufficient amounts of the vitamins and minerals you need.

Which two categories of food mentioned in the passage are opposite to each other in nutritional values?

A balanced diet means getting the right types and amounts of foods and drinks to supply nutrition and energy for maintaining body cells, tissues, and organs, and for supporting normal growth and development. Eating a balanced diet means choosing a wide variety of foods and drinks from all the food groups. It also means eating certain things in moderation, namely saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, refined sugar, salt and alcohol. The goal is to take in nutrients you need for health at the recommended levels. Your balanced diet must be planned at your own calorie level, and portion size is key. You want to get the most nutrients for the calories by choosing food with a high-nutrient density. Nutrient-dense foods provide substantial amounts of vitamins and minerals and relatively few calories, such as fresh fruit and vegetables, lean meat and fish, and whole grains and beans. Low-nutrient dense foods have few vitamins but lots of calories, such as candy bars, soda, donuts and onion rings. Nutrition guidelines recommend eating a wide variety of foods. But, there's a school of thought that eating variety of foods leads to overeating. There is the tendency to stay hungry longer and eat more food when flavors are diverse and keep changing because we fill up on fewer calories when flavor variety is controlled. We have seen this principle in action when we come home with a load of groceries and want to sample the wide variety of tasty foods.

Why are vitamins and minerals also called micronutrients?

Vitamins and minerals are essential nutrients because they perform hundreds of roles in the body They help shore up bones, heal wounds and bolster our immune system. They also convert food into energy, and repair cellular damage. They are known mainly by their initials (such as vitamins A,B,C,D,E, and K—to name just a few). Vitamins and minerals are often called micronutrients because our body needs only tiny amounts of them. Yet failing to get even those small quantities virtually guarantees disease. Although they are all considered micronutrients, vitamins and minerals differ in basic ways. Vitamins are organic and can be broken down by heat, air or acid. Minerals are inorganic and hold on to their chemical structure. It means the minerals in soil and water easily find their way into our body through the plants, fish, animals and fluids we consume. But it’s tougher to shuttle vitamins from food and other sources into our body because cooking, storage and simple exposure to air can inactivate these more fragile compounds. There is a fine line between getting enough of these nutrients (which is healthy) and getting too much (which can end up harming you). Eating a healthy diet remains the best way to get sufficient amounts of the vitamins and minerals you need.