HEALTHY DIET QUIZ

How much do you know about healthy diets? Try taking the following true-or-false quiz. You may be surprised at how much you know.

#1. A healthy diet means a fat free diet.

False! Healthy eating does require some fat in the diet. A good plan is to eat 30 percent or less of your total caloric intake each day as fat. Remember, read the labels, and avoid fast food if possible.

#2. Low fat diets only benefit people who are overweight or who have diabetes.

False! Low fat diets benefit everyone! This is because low fat diets prevent disease as well as treat some diseases.

#3. High fat diets prevent breast cancer.

False! High fat diets definitely do NOT prevent breast cancer. Eating a low fat diet does not necessarily prevent breast cancer either, but it can help you stay healthy.

#4. Eating a low fat diet can prevent heart disease and strokes.

True! A low fat, low cholesterol, high fiber diet can be helpful in preventing disease. Remember, read the labels to see how much fiber and cholesterol are in your food.

#5. A low fat, low cholesterol diet includes meat and potatoes.

True! Meats are nutritious as long as they are lean. Potatoes are, in fact, an excellent food. However, do not add fat by using sour cream and butter. Try non-fat yogurt instead. A diet of moderation may be the key for a healthy life.

#6. Too much salt is bad for you.

True! Anything in excess can be bad for you. Decreasing salt may help treat high blood pressure. Recent data have shown that some people are "salt sensitive" and can lower their blood pressure by decreasing their salt intake. However, it is not obvious who is more likely to respond to a low salt diet. It is probably reasonable to eat a low salt diet if you are being treated for high blood pressure.

For more information about healthy eating, contact your local chapter of the American Dietetic Association, call their national 24-hour Nutrition Information line at (800) 366-1655, or visit their website at www.eatright.org. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans are available on the Internet at www.health.gov.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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