Nutrition Analysis: Dietary Software and USDA Website

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Questions and Answers

What is a common reason for missing values of certain nutrients?

The food is not commonly consumed

Lack of research on the nutrient

Inaccurate data concerning the complete nutrient analysis of the food (correct)

The nutrient is not essential for the body

What is the main purpose of government-sponsored websites like those sponsored by the USDA?

To sell dietary supplements

To provide recipes for healthy eating

To promote specific food products

To help assess the energy and nutrient contents of food intake (correct)

What is the name of the USDA-sponsored website that provides extensive information regarding the energy and nutrient content of food?

FoodData Central (correct)

NutrientInfo.com

HealthyEating.org

USDA.gov

Why are USDA-sponsored websites updated regularly?

To provide nutritional information about new products Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the Personal Dietary Analysis feature at the end of this chapter?

To give an opportunity to practice using dietary analysis software Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the search tool that helps you assess the energy and nutrient contents of your food intake?

What's in the Food You Eat Search Tool Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason why different dietary analysis software programs may provide different values for energy and nutrient contents for the same food item?

The same type of food may vary in nutrient content depending on various factors Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of analyzing several samples of a particular food in determining its nutrient contents?

To determine the average nutrient content of the food Signup and view all the answers

What can be used to estimate the nutritional value of various foods?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

Why do people with Internet access have an easier time determining the energy and nutrient contents of their food choices?

Because they can access the U.S. Department of Agriculture's websites Signup and view all the answers

What is a factor that can affect the nutrient content of a plant food?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of food composition tables?

To provide amounts of energy, fiber, macronutrients, and several micronutrients in a food Signup and view all the answers

How do scientists determine the nutrient contents of a particular food?

By analyzing several samples of the food and averaging the results Signup and view all the answers

Why may the values provided by dietary analysis software programs and websites not be exact amounts?

Because the values are based on averages of several samples Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Dietary Analysis Software

Different dietary analysis software programs may provide different values for energy and nutrient contents for the same food item due to various factors such as hereditary factors, age, growing conditions, and production methods.
Dietary analysis software and websites can be quick and easy tools for determining nutrient and energy contents of a specific food.

Factors Affecting Nutrient Content

Nutrient content of plant foods can vary depending on hereditary factors, age, growing conditions, and production methods.
Scientists typically analyze several samples of a particular food to determine their nutrient contents and then average the results.

Government-Sponsored Dietary Analysis Websites

The USDA sponsors websites such as "What's in the Food You Eat Search Tool" (www.usda.gov) and FoodData Central (https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/) to help assess the energy and nutrient contents of food intake.
These websites provide extensive information regarding the energy and nutrient content of food and are updated regularly to provide nutritional information about new products.

Using Dietary Analysis Software

Dietary analysis software can be used to estimate the nutritional value of various foods.
For example, an ounce of Swiss cheese contains a certain amount of selenium, magnesium, and niacin.

Reliability of Sources

At least two reliable sources of information about the energy and nutrient contents of foods and beverages include the USDA's websites and food composition tables.

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Description

Learn to analyze dietary intake using software and the USDA website. Understand variations in energy and nutrient values. Estimate selenium, magnesium, and niacin content in foods.