Difficulty: Mixed
What does the term micronutrient refer to?
A Nutrients providing most energy
B Nutrients needed in small amounts
C Only food additives
D Only dietary fibre
Answer: B. Nutrients needed in small amounts Vitamins and minerals are required in smaller amounts than macronutrients.
Which nutrients are classified as micronutrients?
A Carbohydrate and fat
B Protein and water
C Sugar and starch
D Vitamins and minerals
Answer: D. Vitamins and minerals Vitamins and minerals are the main micronutrient groups.
How do minerals differ from vitamins?
A Minerals are inorganic elements
B Minerals provide calories
C Vitamins are always inorganic
D Vitamins are proteins
Answer: A. Minerals are inorganic elements Minerals are inorganic elements, while vitamins are organic compounds.
Which vitamins are fat-soluble?
A B vitamins and C
B Only vitamin C
C A, D, E, and K
D All water-soluble vitamins
Answer: C. A, D, E, and K Vitamins A, D, E, and K dissolve in fat.
Which vitamins are generally water-soluble?
A B vitamins and C
B A, D, E, and K
C Only vitamin A
D Vitamin D and K
Answer: A. B vitamins and C The B vitamins and vitamin C are water-soluble.
What is one important role of vitamin A?
A Builds haemoglobin directly
B Digests dietary fat
C Supports normal vision
D Forms bone minerals
Answer: C. Supports normal vision Vitamin A supports normal vision, immunity, growth, and development.
Which plant pigment can become vitamin A in the body?
A Chlorophyll
B Lycopene only
C Anthocyanin
D Beta-carotene
Answer: D. Beta-carotene The body can convert some beta-carotene into vitamin A.
What does vitamin D help the body absorb?
A Vitamin C
B Calcium
C Dietary fibre
D Sodium only
Answer: B. Calcium Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium and supports bone health.
Which food can provide vitamin D naturally?
A White rice
B Apple juice
C Fatty fish
D Table sugar
Answer: C. Fatty fish Fatty fish is among the natural food sources of vitamin D.
How can skin produce vitamin D?
A Sunlight exposure
B Eating dietary fibre
C Drinking milk only
D Taking vitamin C
Answer: A. Sunlight exposure Skin can make vitamin D after exposure to sunlight; safe exposure varies.
What is a major function of vitamin E?
A Carries oxygen in blood
B Protects cells from oxidative damage
C Builds dietary fibre
D Digests starch
Answer: B. Protects cells from oxidative damage Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant that helps protect cells.
Which vitamin is important for normal blood clotting?
A Vitamin C
B Vitamin B12
C Vitamin B1
D Vitamin K
Answer: D. Vitamin K Vitamin K is required for normal blood clotting.
What does vitamin C help the body produce?
A Insulin only
B Dietary fat
C Thyroid hormone
D Collagen
Answer: D. Collagen Vitamin C is needed for collagen synthesis.
How can vitamin C affect absorption of plant-based iron?
A It blocks all iron
B It can improve absorption
C It replaces iron
D It converts iron to calcium
Answer: B. It can improve absorption Vitamin C can improve absorption of non-haem iron from plant foods.
Which food is a common source of vitamin C?
A Butter
B White sugar
C Citrus fruit
D Cooking oil
Answer: C. Citrus fruit Citrus fruits commonly provide vitamin C.
What does vitamin B12 help maintain?
A Blood and nerve cells
B Bone enamel only
C Dietary fibre
D Vision in dim light
Answer: A. Blood and nerve cells Vitamin B12 supports healthy blood and nerve cells and DNA production.
Which foods naturally contain vitamin B12?
A Animal-source foods
B Unfortified fruit
C Plain cooking oil
D Table salt
Answer: A. Animal-source foods Natural B12 occurs mainly in animal-source foods; some foods are fortified.
What is folate important for making?
A Dietary fibre
B Bile salts
C Vitamin D in skin
D DNA and new cells
Answer: D. DNA and new cells Folate supports DNA production and cell division.
Why is folic acid advised around early pregnancy?
A It replaces all iron
B Helps prevent neural tube defects
C It prevents every birth condition
D It builds dietary fibre
Answer: B. Helps prevent neural tube defects Folic acid before conception and early pregnancy helps reduce neural tube defect risk.
Which food group can provide folate?
A Cooking oils
B Fruit soda
C Leafy green vegetables
D Plain salt
Answer: C. Leafy green vegetables Leafy greens and pulses are food sources of folate.
What does iron help haemoglobin do?
A Digest starch
B Store vitamin C
C Carry oxygen in blood
D Make dietary fibre
Answer: C. Carry oxygen in blood Iron is needed to make haemoglobin, which carries oxygen in red blood cells.
Which pair provides iron in food?
A Sugar and oil
B Pulses and meat
C Fruit juice and salt
D Butter and starch
Answer: B. Pulses and meat Pulses provide non-haem iron, while meat provides haem iron.
What can improve absorption of non-haem iron?
A Vitamin C foods
B Calcium supplements only
C Tea with every meal
D Extra dietary fat
Answer: A. Vitamin C foods Vitamin C eaten with plant iron can improve its absorption.
Which mineral is a major component of bones and teeth?
A Iodine
B Sodium
C Zinc
D Calcium
Answer: D. Calcium Most body calcium is stored in bones and teeth.
Which choice can provide calcium without dairy?
A Plain fruit juice
B Calcium-fortified soy drink
C Cooking oil
D White sugar
Answer: B. Calcium-fortified soy drink Some fortified soy drinks provide calcium; check the label.
Why check the label on plant-based milk alternatives?
A Calcium fortification varies
B All products contain calcium
C Labels list no nutrients
D Protein is always identical
Answer: A. Calcium fortification varies Calcium content varies by product, so label checking matters.
Which mineral is needed to make thyroid hormones?
A Iron
B Calcium
C Magnesium
D Iodine
Answer: D. Iodine The thyroid uses iodine to make thyroid hormones.
What is one source of iodine in many diets?
A Unfortified sugar
B Cooking oil
C Iodized salt
D Plain rice
Answer: C. Iodized salt Iodized salt is a common iodine source; use salt within health guidance.
Which mineral supports immune function and wound healing?
A Sodium
B Chloride
C Fluoride
D Zinc
Answer: D. Zinc Zinc supports immune function, growth, and wound healing.
Which mineral helps muscles and nerves function?
A Lead
B Mercury
C Potassium
D Aluminium
Answer: C. Potassium Potassium is needed for normal nerve and muscle function.
Why should high sodium intake be limited?
A It can raise blood pressure
B It provides dietary fibre
C It prevents dehydration always
D It builds vitamin C
Answer: A. It can raise blood pressure High sodium intake can increase blood pressure in many people.
Which mineral participates in many enzyme reactions?
A Sugar
B Magnesium
C Alcohol
D Cholesterol
Answer: B. Magnesium Magnesium supports hundreds of enzyme reactions and normal muscle and nerve function.
Why do vitamin and mineral needs differ between people?
A Everyone needs the same amount
B Age and life stage matter
C Food labels set needs
D Supplements remove variation
Answer: B. Age and life stage matter Requirements vary with age, pregnancy, health, and other factors.
What is a potential risk of excessive supplement doses?
A Guaranteed better health
B No possible side effects
C Automatic nutrient balance
D Toxic effects or interactions
Answer: D. Toxic effects or interactions High doses can be harmful or interact with medicines.
Why can fat-soluble vitamins build up in the body?
A They dissolve only in water
B They contain no nutrients
C Stored in body tissues
D They leave instantly
Answer: C. Stored in body tissues Fat-soluble vitamins can be stored, so excessive intake may cause harm.
Which vitamin supplement needs extra caution during pregnancy?
A Preformed vitamin A
B Vitamin C from food
C Dietary fibre
D Calcium in food
Answer: A. Preformed vitamin A High doses of preformed vitamin A can harm a developing baby.
What is a sensible first approach to meeting micronutrient needs?
A Choose varied nutrient-rich foods
B Take many supplements
C Avoid all fortified foods
D Use one food only
Answer: A. Choose varied nutrient-rich foods A varied diet can provide many vitamins and minerals.
When might supplements be appropriate?
A Everyone always needs them
B A clinician identifies a need
C Only advertisements recommend them
D They replace all meals
Answer: B. A clinician identifies a need Supplements may help when a specific need is identified.
Why should a multivitamin not replace a balanced diet?
A It contains every food compound
B It supplies unlimited fibre
C It prevents every disease
D Cannot provide all food benefits
Answer: D. Cannot provide all food benefits Supplements do not replace the variety and other benefits of foods.
What does food fortification mean?
A Removing every mineral
B Changing food into medicine
C Adding selected nutrients to food
D Adding only dietary fibre
Answer: C. Adding selected nutrients to food Fortification adds selected nutrients to foods.
Which information helps verify a fortified product’s nutrient content?
A Package color
B Brand slogan
C Nutrition label
D Shelf position
Answer: C. Nutrition label The label lists whether and how much of a nutrient is added.
Are vitamins a direct source of dietary calories?
A No, they provide no energy
B Yes, nine kcal each
C Only vitamin C does
D Only minerals have calories
Answer: A. No, they provide no energy Vitamins regulate body processes but do not supply energy.
How can micronutrients support energy metabolism?
A They become calories
B They help enzymes work
C They replace carbohydrate
D They stop digestion
Answer: B. They help enzymes work Many vitamins and minerals serve as enzyme cofactors in metabolism.
Why should deficiency symptoms be assessed carefully?
A Symptoms always identify one vitamin
B Supplements diagnose conditions
C Labels replace testing
D They can have many causes
Answer: D. They can have many causes Symptoms can overlap across conditions and should not be self-diagnosed.
What can confirm a suspected nutrient deficiency?
A A food advertisement
B A single symptom
C Package color comparison
D Clinical assessment and tests
Answer: D. Clinical assessment and tests A clinician may use history, examination, and appropriate tests.
Which cooking method may reduce vitamin C in vegetables?
A Brief steaming
B Washing before cutting
C Long cooking in water
D Serving raw produce
Answer: C. Long cooking in water Vitamin C can be lost through heat and leaching into cooking water.
How can nutrient loss during vegetable preparation be reduced?
A Soak after chopping
B Wash before cutting
C Boil for long periods
D Discard every cooking liquid
Answer: B. Wash before cutting Washing before cutting can reduce leaching of water-soluble nutrients.
Which dietary pattern helps cover a range of micronutrients?
A Varied foods across food groups
B One supplement only
C Only refined grains
D Only sugary drinks
Answer: A. Varied foods across food groups Different food groups supply different vitamins and minerals.
Who should discuss supplements with a health professional?
A Only people buying fruit
B Someone taking regular medicines
C Same way for everyone
D People reading labels
Answer: B. Someone taking regular medicines Supplements can affect medicines and may need individualized review.
What best describes vitamin and mineral supplements?
A Useful for some, not everyone
B Required by every adult
C A substitute for meals
D Free from dose risks
Answer: A. Useful for some, not everyone Supplements have a role in some cases but are not universally needed.