Food for thought.

How much do you know about food, nutrition, and physical fitness? Don't be discouraged if some of your answers to the questions below are wrong. Consider this quiz a learning experience that can help you make smarter choices for your family.

1. Which is the only real concern about sugar in children's diets:

   []A. It can cause diabetes []B. It has too many calories []C. It makes children hyperactive []D. It causes cavities in teeth

2. Which of the following has the most vitamin C?

   []A. One cup strawberries []B. One medium kiwi []C. One medium nectarine []D. One medium apple

3. The best way to help an overweight child lose weight is to limit portion sizes at meals. []True []False

4. A seven-year-old needs how much fiber each day?

   []A. Five grams []C. 25 grams []B. 12 grams []D. 100 grams

5. Rate the fiber content, from most to least, in the following foods.

   []A. Two multi-bran waffles []B. One slice wheat bread []C. One medium pear []D. One cup raisin bran cereal

6. Which of the following has the least fat?

   []A. One tablespoon butter []B. One tablespoon margarine []C. One tablespoon peanut butter []D. One tablespoon apple buffer

7. What is a good strategy for limiting fat?

   []A. Have plenty of fruits and vegetables available []B. Use nonstick vegetable sprays to reduce added fat when cooking []C. Serve whole-grain bread, pasta, and cereal regularly []D. Try angel food cake, frozen fruit bars, or low-fat frozen yogurt instead of rich cream desserts []E. All of the above

8. The average American child, aged six to 11, watches how much television in a week?

   []A. Eight hours []C. 23 hours []B. 12 hours []D. 28 hours

9. By the time boys and girls are eight or nine years old, they should be able to do an average of how many push-ups in one minute?

   []A. Five to eight []C. 10 to 15 []B. Six to nine []D. 15 to 20

10. Which of the following is not aerobically equal to running one mile?

    []A. Eight to 12 minutes jumping rope []B. Eight to 12 minutes of volleyball []C. Eight to 12 minutes nonstop jumping on a pogo stick []D.One mile walking

    ANSWERS

1. D. Sugar does give children an energy boost, but repeated studies show that this can not be interpreted as making kids hyperactive. Nor can sugar be blamed for diabetes. One teaspoon of sugar has lei calories. Lots of sugar, like lots of anything with calories, can contribute to weight problems and spoil a child's appetite for foods with more nutrients. Any form of carbohydrate, including sugar, on children's teeth...