TOPIC PRACTICE TEST * 2026/2027
D440
Nutritional Foundations
100-Question Practice Test
Energy and nutrient basics, digestion and absorption, macronutrients, vitamins and minerals, hydration,
dietary guidance, food labels, nutrition assessment, and food safety.
100 A-D 100
Practice Questions Multiple Choice Immediate Explanations
Original study and revision material * Clean print-ready format
, D440 Nutritional Foundations
100 original questions with the answer and explanation immediately after every question.
Instructions: Select the best answer for each question. The correct answer and detailed explanation appear immediately after
every item. Questions focus on core D440 nutritional foundations for concept review and exam preparation.
Nutrition Foundations
1 Which statement best defines an essential nutrient?
A A nutrient the body cannot make in sufficient amounts and therefore must obtain from the diet
B A compound that is always stored in unlimited amounts
C A substance found only in animal foods
D A nutrient that supplies exactly 9 kcal per gram
Answer: A. A nutrient the body cannot make in sufficient amounts and therefore must obtain from the diet
Explanation: Essential nutrients must be supplied by the diet because the body cannot synthesize enough to meet physiologic
needs. Essential does not mean that the nutrient provides energy or comes from only one food group.
2 Which group contains only energy-yielding nutrients?
A Calcium, iron, and vitamin C
B Carbohydrate, protein, and fat
C Vitamins, minerals, and water
D Fiber, sodium, and water
Answer: B. Carbohydrate, protein, and fat
Explanation: Carbohydrate, protein, and fat provide usable food energy. Vitamins, minerals, and water are essential but do
not provide calories.
D440 * Nutritional Foundations * 100 Questions Page 2
, Nutrition Foundations
3 How much energy does one gram of carbohydrate provide?
A 7 kcal
B 2 kcal
C 4 kcal
D 9 kcal
Answer: C. 4 kcal
Explanation: Carbohydrate provides about 4 kilocalories per gram. Protein also provides about 4 kcal/g, whereas fat provides
about 9 kcal/g.
4 How much energy does one gram of fat provide?
A 5 kcal
B 9 kcal
C 7 kcal
D 4 kcal
Answer: B. 9 kcal
Explanation: Fat is the most energy-dense macronutrient at about 9 kcal per gram. This is more than twice the energy density
of carbohydrate or protein.
5 A meal contains 25 g carbohydrate, 10 g protein, and 8 g fat. Approximately how many kilocalories does
it provide?
A 172 kcal
B 312 kcal
C 212 kcal
D 252 kcal
Answer: C. 212 kcal
Explanation: Carbohydrate contributes 25 x 4 = 100 kcal, protein contributes 10 x 4 = 40 kcal, and fat contributes 8 x 9 = 72
kcal. The total is 212 kcal.
D440 * Nutritional Foundations * 100 Questions Page 3
, Nutrition Foundations
6 Which description best reflects nutrient density?
A The amount of sodium in a food regardless of serving size
B The number of calories in one gram of food
C The percentage of water in a beverage
D A high amount of beneficial nutrients relative to the calories provided
Answer: D. A high amount of beneficial nutrients relative to the calories provided
Explanation: Nutrient-dense foods provide substantial vitamins, minerals, fiber, protein, or other beneficial nutrients for
relatively few calories. Nutrient density is different from energy density.
7 Which food is generally the most nutrient-dense choice?
A Candy-coated chocolate
B Sugar-sweetened soda
C Plain Greek yogurt with berries
D Frosted pastry
Answer: C. Plain Greek yogurt with berries
Explanation: Greek yogurt with berries provides protein, calcium, vitamins, minerals, and fruit compounds with comparatively
little added sugar. The other choices provide more calories with fewer essential nutrients.
8 What does energy balance mean?
A The difference between sodium and potassium intake
B The relationship between energy consumed and energy expended
C The amount of water stored inside cells
D The ratio of vitamins to minerals in a meal
Answer: B. The relationship between energy consumed and energy expended
Explanation: Energy balance compares calorie intake with energy expenditure. Persistent positive energy balance tends to
support weight gain, while persistent negative balance tends to support weight loss.
D440 * Nutritional Foundations * 100 Questions Page 4
D440
Nutritional Foundations
100-Question Practice Test
Energy and nutrient basics, digestion and absorption, macronutrients, vitamins and minerals, hydration,
dietary guidance, food labels, nutrition assessment, and food safety.
100 A-D 100
Practice Questions Multiple Choice Immediate Explanations
Original study and revision material * Clean print-ready format
, D440 Nutritional Foundations
100 original questions with the answer and explanation immediately after every question.
Instructions: Select the best answer for each question. The correct answer and detailed explanation appear immediately after
every item. Questions focus on core D440 nutritional foundations for concept review and exam preparation.
Nutrition Foundations
1 Which statement best defines an essential nutrient?
A A nutrient the body cannot make in sufficient amounts and therefore must obtain from the diet
B A compound that is always stored in unlimited amounts
C A substance found only in animal foods
D A nutrient that supplies exactly 9 kcal per gram
Answer: A. A nutrient the body cannot make in sufficient amounts and therefore must obtain from the diet
Explanation: Essential nutrients must be supplied by the diet because the body cannot synthesize enough to meet physiologic
needs. Essential does not mean that the nutrient provides energy or comes from only one food group.
2 Which group contains only energy-yielding nutrients?
A Calcium, iron, and vitamin C
B Carbohydrate, protein, and fat
C Vitamins, minerals, and water
D Fiber, sodium, and water
Answer: B. Carbohydrate, protein, and fat
Explanation: Carbohydrate, protein, and fat provide usable food energy. Vitamins, minerals, and water are essential but do
not provide calories.
D440 * Nutritional Foundations * 100 Questions Page 2
, Nutrition Foundations
3 How much energy does one gram of carbohydrate provide?
A 7 kcal
B 2 kcal
C 4 kcal
D 9 kcal
Answer: C. 4 kcal
Explanation: Carbohydrate provides about 4 kilocalories per gram. Protein also provides about 4 kcal/g, whereas fat provides
about 9 kcal/g.
4 How much energy does one gram of fat provide?
A 5 kcal
B 9 kcal
C 7 kcal
D 4 kcal
Answer: B. 9 kcal
Explanation: Fat is the most energy-dense macronutrient at about 9 kcal per gram. This is more than twice the energy density
of carbohydrate or protein.
5 A meal contains 25 g carbohydrate, 10 g protein, and 8 g fat. Approximately how many kilocalories does
it provide?
A 172 kcal
B 312 kcal
C 212 kcal
D 252 kcal
Answer: C. 212 kcal
Explanation: Carbohydrate contributes 25 x 4 = 100 kcal, protein contributes 10 x 4 = 40 kcal, and fat contributes 8 x 9 = 72
kcal. The total is 212 kcal.
D440 * Nutritional Foundations * 100 Questions Page 3
, Nutrition Foundations
6 Which description best reflects nutrient density?
A The amount of sodium in a food regardless of serving size
B The number of calories in one gram of food
C The percentage of water in a beverage
D A high amount of beneficial nutrients relative to the calories provided
Answer: D. A high amount of beneficial nutrients relative to the calories provided
Explanation: Nutrient-dense foods provide substantial vitamins, minerals, fiber, protein, or other beneficial nutrients for
relatively few calories. Nutrient density is different from energy density.
7 Which food is generally the most nutrient-dense choice?
A Candy-coated chocolate
B Sugar-sweetened soda
C Plain Greek yogurt with berries
D Frosted pastry
Answer: C. Plain Greek yogurt with berries
Explanation: Greek yogurt with berries provides protein, calcium, vitamins, minerals, and fruit compounds with comparatively
little added sugar. The other choices provide more calories with fewer essential nutrients.
8 What does energy balance mean?
A The difference between sodium and potassium intake
B The relationship between energy consumed and energy expended
C The amount of water stored inside cells
D The ratio of vitamins to minerals in a meal
Answer: B. The relationship between energy consumed and energy expended
Explanation: Energy balance compares calorie intake with energy expenditure. Persistent positive energy balance tends to
support weight gain, while persistent negative balance tends to support weight loss.
D440 * Nutritional Foundations * 100 Questions Page 4
