Unit 1 Assignment
1. (Chapter 1) Make a list of the foods and beverages you've consumed in the past two days. Look at
each item on your list and consider why you chose the particular food or beverage you did. Did you
eat cereal for breakfast because that's what you always eat (habit), or because it was the easiest,
quickest food to prepare (convenience)? Did you put fat-free milk on the cereal because you want
to control your energy intake (nutrition)? In going down your list, you may be surprised to discover
exactly why you chose certain foods.
2. (Chapter 1) Using your list of foods and beverages from #1, compare your day's intake with the
USDA Food Guide. Did you vary your choices within each food group? Did your intake match the
daily recommended amounts from each group? If not, list some changes you could make to meet
the recommendations.
3. (Chapter 2) How might you explain the importance of dietary fiber to a client who frequently
experiences constipation?
4. (Chapter 3) Considering the health benefits of carbohydrate-rich foods, especially those that
provide starch and fiber, what suggestions would you offer to a client who reports the following:
eats only three servings of refined, sugary breads or cereals each day, eats one serving of vegetables
(usually french fries) each day, drinks fruit juice once a day but never eats fruit, eats cheese at least
twice a day but does not drink milk, eats large servings of meat at least twice a day, and eats hard
candy 2-3 times/day?
