Questions and Answers
What is the primary purpose of the government-sponsored websites discussed in this section?
To help individuals assess the energy and nutrient contents of their food intake
Why may different dietary analysis software programs provide different values for energy and nutrient contents for the same food item?
Different dietary analysis software programs may provide different values for energy and nutrient contents for the same food item because the same type of plant food may vary in nutrient content depending on hereditary factors, age, growing conditions, and production methods.
What is the name of the website that provides an extensive database of energy and nutrient content of food?
FoodData Central
How do scientists determine the nutrient contents of a particular food?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the purpose of the 'What's in the Food You Eat Search Tool'?
Signup and view all the answers
Why are the USDA-sponsored websites updated regularly?
Signup and view all the answers
What happens when accurate data concerning the complete nutrient analysis of a food are unavailable?
Signup and view all the answers
What opportunity is provided at the end of this chapter for practicing dietary analysis?
Signup and view all the answers
How can people with Internet access obtain information about nutrients in a food that are not listed on the Nutrition Facts panel?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the purpose of food composition tables in the past?
Signup and view all the answers
Why do researchers average the results of several samples of a particular food to determine their nutrient contents?
Signup and view all the answers
What is an example of a factor that can affect the nutrient content of a plant food?
Signup and view all the answers
What can you do to estimate the nutritional value of various foods using the U.S. Department of Agriculture's websites?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Dietary Analysis Software
- Different dietary analysis software programs can provide varying values for energy and nutrient contents for the same food item due to factors such as hereditary factors, age, growing conditions, and production methods.
- Scientists analyze multiple samples of a particular food to determine their nutrient contents and then average the results to obtain a representative value.
Government-Sponsored Dietary Analysis Websites
- The USDA sponsors websites that provide tools for evaluating food intakes and physical activity habits.
- The "What's in the Food You Eat Search Tool" at www.usda.gov allows users to assess the energy and nutrient contents of their food intake.
- FoodData Central (https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/) is a USDA-sponsored site that provides extensive information on the energy and nutrient content of food.
- USDA-sponsored websites are regularly updated to provide nutritional information about new products.
Estimating Nutritional Value of Foods
- The USDA's websites can be used to estimate the nutritional value of various foods.
- For example, an ounce of Swiss cheese contains:
- Selenium: unknown amount (not specified in the text)
- Magnesium: unknown amount (not specified in the text)
- Niacin: unknown amount (not specified in the text)
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Learn about dietary analysis software and how to estimate nutritional values of foods using the U.S. Department of Agriculture's websites. Discover how to find information on nutrients not listed on the Nutrition Facts panel.
