Biology · General Awareness
Nutrition and Food Sources
2,738 Questions
Nutrition and Food Sources questions test your knowledge of vitamins, dietary minerals, carbohydrates, and specialized dietary principles. This topic is commonly asked in railway, SSC, and UPSC exams. Review these questions to master the biological and health aspects of human nutrition.
Vitamins and mineralsDietary fiber sourcesMacronutrient functionsNaturopathic diet principlesOmega-3 fatty acids
Nutrition and Food Sources Questions
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Spinach is high in oxalates, compounds that can bind with calcium in the urinary tract to form kidney stones. People prone to calcium oxalate stones are often advised to limit high-oxalate foods like spinach. However, spinach also has nutritional benefits, so the risk applies primarily to susceptible individuals.
-
Tasty food with low nutrition
-
Food that is thrown to garbage
-
Large quantities of perishable food
-
Food that is given to pet
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Junk food refers to food that tastes good but has little nutritional value - typically high in calories, sugar, or fat but low in vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. Examples include candy, chips, and sugary drinks. It is not literally garbage (option B) or pet food.
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Many yogurt brands, especially those with fruit add-ins or certain textures, use gelatin as a thickening agent. Unless specifically labeled as vegetarian or using plant-based alternatives, gelatin is typically derived from beef or pork collagen - this is a legitimate concern for vegetarians and those with religious dietary restrictions.
A
Correct answer
Explanation
This statement is technically correct and was proven during the Pacific campaigns of World War II. Coconut water is sterile, isotonic with body fluids, and contains electrolytes similar to blood plasma. In emergency situations where medical supplies were unavailable, doctors successfully used young coconut water intravenously to rehydrate wounded soldiers. However, this is only a short-term emergency substitute - coconut water lacks proper proteins and has other differences from real plasma. It should never be used in modern medical settings except in absolute extreme emergencies without alternatives.
-
Demi-vegetarian
-
All of these choices
-
Pesco-vegetarian
-
Pescatarian
B
Correct answer
Explanation
Both 'pesco-vegetarian' and 'pescatarian' are valid terms for someone who eats fish but not meat. 'Demi-vegetarian' can also describe this dietary pattern. Since all listed choices are valid descriptions, 'all of these choices' is correct.
-
Milk
-
Bananas
-
yams
-
Coconuts
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Milk is a nutrient-dense food containing proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins (A, D, B12, riboflavin), and minerals (calcium, phosphorus, potassium). It's considered a nearly complete food. While bananas, yams, and coconuts are nutritious, milk provides a broader spectrum of nutrients including high-quality protein, calcium, and fat-soluble vitamins in a balanced ratio.
A
Correct answer
Explanation
In jaundice, bile flow is impaired and fat digestion suffers. Small amounts of easily digestible oil provide essential calories and fat-soluble vitamins without overburdening the compromised liver.
-
Carbohydrates
-
Fats
-
Proteins
-
Vitamins
D
Correct answer
Explanation
Oranges are an excellent source of Vitamin C (ascorbic acid), with one orange providing more than 100% of daily requirement. They also contain folate, potassium, and fiber, but are best known for their vitamin content.
-
Energy Drink
-
Blood Plasma
-
Refreshment Drink
-
Blood Glucose
B
Correct answer
Explanation
Coconut water is chemically similar to human blood plasma in terms of electrolyte balance and pH. During World War II, coconut water was reportedly used as an emergency plasma substitute when medical supplies were scarce, as it is sterile and compatible with human blood composition.
B
Correct answer
Explanation
Cow's milk is a common dietary staple and does not cause coronary heart disease in 8 out of 10 people. Therefore, the statement is completely false.
-
nucleic acids
-
proteins
-
carbohydrates
-
lipids
C
Correct answer
Explanation
The largest part of a diet is made up of carbohydrates.
What is a balanced diet?
Directions: Read the passage given carefully and answer the question that follows.
The diet which contains adequate amount of all the important nutrients like carbohydrates, fats, proteins, minerals and vitamins, sufficient for the normal growth and development of the body is called a balanced diet. The constituents of balanced diet are - Carbohydrates, Fats, Proteins, Minerals (Salts), Vitamins, Water and Roughage, Carbohydrates are the compounds of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. They are the main source of energy. The fats are the compounds of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. The main function of fats in the body is to provide a steady source of energy. The proteins are highly complex organic compounds of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen. Proteins are very important for the growth and repair of the body. Kwashiorkor is a disease which occurs due to the deficiency of proteins in the diet of children whereas Marasmus occurs in the infants (small children) due to the deficiency of proteins. The metals, non-metals and their salts are called minerals. Our body needs minerals for its proper functioning.
-
A diet that contains proteins and carbohydrates
-
A diet that contains all the nutrients
-
A diet that contains all the nutrients in the proper amount
-
A diet that contains all proteins
C
Correct answer
Explanation
"The diet which contains adequate amount of all the important nutrients like carbohydrates, fats, proteins, minerals and vitamins, sufficient for the normal growth and development of the body is called a balanced diet" gives us the answer.
-
antibiotic
-
antioxidant
-
food preservative
-
nutritive
D
Correct answer
Explanation
Nutritive: Since amino acids are building blocks of proteins, they serve as nutritive supplements in food.
-
Groundnut oil
-
Mustard oil
-
Butter
-
Coconut oil
-
Sunflower oil
C
Correct answer
Explanation
Butter is a source of animal fat. It is not a source of plant fat. Hence, it is the correct answer.