Learn a few fun nutrition facts by taking a little dietitian-created quiz! Here you'll find answers from a Registered Dietian to commonly asked questions about various nutrients.
As a Registered Dietitian with a passion for educating 'everyday families' about basic nutrition principles, I thought it would be a fun idea to create this post with nutrition trivia to highlight a few nutrition facts that might not be 'common sense' to most of the public.
Let's get right to it!
1. What Vegetable Has More Vitamin C Than an Orange?
A red bell pepper! According to the USDA Food Data Central, one medium red bell pepper contains more than double the amount of vitamin C found in one raw naval orange.
Add chopped red bell pepper when making turkey sloppy joe's, baked eggs, veggie wraps, and taco meat!
2. What Vegetable Contains the Most Vitamin D?
Mushrooms! In fact, mushrooms have been found to have the potential to be the only unfortified plant-based food to provide a substantial amount of vitamin D2 per serving.
Add mushrooms to omelets, turkey taco meat (as a meat extender), or sauteed and used as a topping for turkey burgers!
3. True or False: Mushrooms Absorb More Vitamin D the Longer They Sit in the Sun
This is true! Studies have shown that mushrooms generate vitamin D in response to UV exposure, including UV from the sun.
Add sliced raw mushrooms to salads or serve whole as part of a hummus and veggie tray.
4. What Vitamin Helps with Iron Absorption?
Vitamin C. Vitamin C consumption is known to assist with the absorption of non-heme iron.
5. Does cooking with Cast Iron Increase the Amount of Iron in Food?
Yes, cooking with cast iron cookware is an effective way to increase the amount of non-heme iron in food if the food is in direct contact with the cast iron. Cast iron pots and pans that have a ceramic (or other type of coating) will not have the same effect.
6. Are Prebiotics and Probiotics the Same Thing?
No, prebiotics and probiotics are not the same thing. While both are essential for optimal gut health, they are different.
Prebiotics act as a fuel source for healthy gut bacteria, while probiotics are essentially living microbes that benefit the health of their host when given in adequate amounts.
7. What Foods Commonly Found at Farmer's Market Contain Prebiotics?
Prebiotics can be found in onions, garlic, leeks, apples (skins), asparagus, dandelion greens, oats, and barley. Just to name a few. 🙂
8. Are Probiotics Only Found in Dairy Products (Yogurt and Kefir)?
Nope! While probiotics are found in fermented dairy products, including yogurt and kefir, probiotics can also be found in fermented foods, such as sauerkraut, kombucha, miso, tempeh, and kimchi.
Kefir overnight oats and Greek yogurt parfaits are two of my favorite ways to get a dose of probiotics from dairy. I also enjoy drinking kombucha. 🙂
9. Is the Term "Sourdough" Regulated in the United States?
No, the term sourdough is not regulated in the US. In fact, some large bread manufacturers use baker's yeast or acids (instead of a starter culture) and label their bread as 'sourdough' because it has the sour taste consumers expect from real sourdough.
Sourdough bread that is made with fermented starter culture, will often have a very short list of ingredients that includes flour, water, salt, and starter culture.
Use sourdough bread to make avocado toast, sourdough French toast, or serve it alongside a hearty lentil carrot soup or turkey and black bean chili.
10. Is it Illegal to Give Chickens Hormones?
Yes, it is against the law to give chickens hormones.
While some brands choose to put the claim "no added hormones" on their packaging, this is mostly for marketing purposes. Even if a package of chicken does not have this claim on their label, you can be sure that, by law, no hormones will be used in the raising of chickens.
Some of my favorite chicken dishes include lemon pepper marinated chicken, Air Fryer BBQ Chicken, Italian baked chicken, roasted chicken, and, of course, shredded chicken used to make layered chicken enchiladas and salads.
Do Avocados Contain Protein?
Yes, avocados contain protein... but not much. One whole medium avocado contains three to four grams of protein.
Most people feel more satisfied after eating meals that include avocados. Instead of protein, the feeling of fullness is likely related to the fat and fiber content of avocados.
I absolutely love avocado on toast (with mango!) and mashed to make the most delicious and super simple guacamole recipe!
11. Is Maple Syrup Considered an Added Sugar?
Even though maple syrup is naturally occurring, when added to foods, maple syrup is considered an added sugar.
I use maple syrup to make everything from low sugar granola to pumpkin bread, banana bread, pancakes, and pumpkin waffles.
12. Is Honey Considered an Added Sugar?
Even though honey is naturally occurring, when added to foods, honey is considered an added sugar.
Add a drizzle of honey to Greek yogurt parfaits, goat cheese sandwiches, and more!
13. What Three Nutrients Give Us Energy?
The three nutrients that give us energy are also called macronutrients: carbohydrate, protein, and fat. Carbohydrates and protein provide about four Calories per gram, while fat provides about 9 Calories per gram.
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