DHN 101 NUTRITION
FUNDAMENTALS: COMPREHENSIVE
EXAM REVIEW – 200 QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS COVERING FOUR CORE
DOMAINS (2026/2027)
DOMAIN 1: Foundations of Nutrition & Food Choices
(Questions 1–50)
1. Which of the following best defines nutrition?
• A. Study of digestion only
• B. Study of food preparation
• C. Study of nutrients in food and their effects on the body
• D. Study of exercise science
Answer: C – Nutrition focuses on how nutrients are consumed, absorbed, and used
by the body to support health.
2. Which of the following is the BEST definition of an essential nutrient?
• A. A nutrient that is found only in animal-based foods
• B. A nutrient that provides more than 4 calories per gram
• C. A nutrient that can be manufactured by the body in large quantities
• D. A nutrient that must be obtained from food because the body cannot make
it at all or in sufficient amounts
Answer: D – By definition, an essential nutrient cannot be synthesized by the body
(or is made in inadequate amounts), so it must be supplied through the diet to
prevent deficiency.
,3. Which of the following is NOT a key nutrition concept?
• A. The best way for people to obtain all the essential nutrients is to consume
dietary supplements
• B. Food choices impact health
• C. Nutrients work synergistically
• D. Malnutrition includes both undernutrition and overnutrition
Answer: A – Dietary supplements are not the best way to obtain essential nutrients;
whole foods are preferred.
4. A person chooses to eat an apple instead of a bag of potato chips. This is an
example of choosing a food that is:
• A. Higher in energy density
• B. Higher in nutrient density
• C. Higher in empty calories
• D. Higher in trans fats
Answer: B – Nutrient-dense foods provide a high amount of vitamins, minerals, and
phytochemicals relative to their calorie content.
5. Which factor is considered a SOCIAL influence on food choices, rather than a
physiological one?
• A. Hunger pangs
• B. Taste aversion
• C. Family traditions and cultural celebrations
• D. Low blood glucose levels
Answer: C – Family traditions are external, social/environmental cues. Hunger, taste,
and blood glucose are biological/physiological factors.
6. A diet that supplies excessive amounts of certain types of fat increases one's
risk of developing heart disease. Thus, such a diet is a ______ for heart disease.
, • A. Cause
• B. Risk factor
• C. Treatment
• D. Cure
Answer: B – A risk factor is a condition or behavior that increases the likelihood of
developing a disease.
7. Which of the following is typically NOT an environmental factor in what
people eat?
• A. Food availability
• B. Cultural norms
• C. Negative food-related experiences
• D. Economic factors
Answer: C – Negative food-related experiences are psychological factors, not
environmental factors.
8. Which of the following factors has a major influence over a person's food
choices?
• A. Blood type
• B. Childhood experiences
• C. Hair color
• D. Eye color
Answer: B – Childhood experiences significantly shape food preferences and eating
habits throughout life.
9. Choosing foods based on religious teachings is an example of ______ factors
influencing eating habits.
• A. Biological
• B. Physiological
• C. Cognitive
, • D. Environmental
Answer: C – Religious and cultural beliefs are cognitive factors that influence food
choices.
10. A person must be ______ to make lasting changes to their food-related
behaviors.
• A. Forced
• B. Motivated
• C. Educated only
• D. Wealthy
Answer: B – Motivation is essential for sustaining behavioral changes in eating
habits.
11. Which of the following statements is TRUE?
• A. Most foods are mixtures of nutrients
• B. Foods contain only one type of nutrient
• C. Water is not a nutrient
• D. All nutrients provide energy
Answer: A – Most foods contain a combination of macronutrients and
micronutrients.
12. Studying nutrition is important to ______.
• A. Learn about the nutritional value of foods and effects diet can have on
health
• B. Become a chef
• C. Lose weight only
• D. Sell supplements
Answer: A – Nutrition education helps individuals understand how food choices
affect health.
FUNDAMENTALS: COMPREHENSIVE
EXAM REVIEW – 200 QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS COVERING FOUR CORE
DOMAINS (2026/2027)
DOMAIN 1: Foundations of Nutrition & Food Choices
(Questions 1–50)
1. Which of the following best defines nutrition?
• A. Study of digestion only
• B. Study of food preparation
• C. Study of nutrients in food and their effects on the body
• D. Study of exercise science
Answer: C – Nutrition focuses on how nutrients are consumed, absorbed, and used
by the body to support health.
2. Which of the following is the BEST definition of an essential nutrient?
• A. A nutrient that is found only in animal-based foods
• B. A nutrient that provides more than 4 calories per gram
• C. A nutrient that can be manufactured by the body in large quantities
• D. A nutrient that must be obtained from food because the body cannot make
it at all or in sufficient amounts
Answer: D – By definition, an essential nutrient cannot be synthesized by the body
(or is made in inadequate amounts), so it must be supplied through the diet to
prevent deficiency.
,3. Which of the following is NOT a key nutrition concept?
• A. The best way for people to obtain all the essential nutrients is to consume
dietary supplements
• B. Food choices impact health
• C. Nutrients work synergistically
• D. Malnutrition includes both undernutrition and overnutrition
Answer: A – Dietary supplements are not the best way to obtain essential nutrients;
whole foods are preferred.
4. A person chooses to eat an apple instead of a bag of potato chips. This is an
example of choosing a food that is:
• A. Higher in energy density
• B. Higher in nutrient density
• C. Higher in empty calories
• D. Higher in trans fats
Answer: B – Nutrient-dense foods provide a high amount of vitamins, minerals, and
phytochemicals relative to their calorie content.
5. Which factor is considered a SOCIAL influence on food choices, rather than a
physiological one?
• A. Hunger pangs
• B. Taste aversion
• C. Family traditions and cultural celebrations
• D. Low blood glucose levels
Answer: C – Family traditions are external, social/environmental cues. Hunger, taste,
and blood glucose are biological/physiological factors.
6. A diet that supplies excessive amounts of certain types of fat increases one's
risk of developing heart disease. Thus, such a diet is a ______ for heart disease.
, • A. Cause
• B. Risk factor
• C. Treatment
• D. Cure
Answer: B – A risk factor is a condition or behavior that increases the likelihood of
developing a disease.
7. Which of the following is typically NOT an environmental factor in what
people eat?
• A. Food availability
• B. Cultural norms
• C. Negative food-related experiences
• D. Economic factors
Answer: C – Negative food-related experiences are psychological factors, not
environmental factors.
8. Which of the following factors has a major influence over a person's food
choices?
• A. Blood type
• B. Childhood experiences
• C. Hair color
• D. Eye color
Answer: B – Childhood experiences significantly shape food preferences and eating
habits throughout life.
9. Choosing foods based on religious teachings is an example of ______ factors
influencing eating habits.
• A. Biological
• B. Physiological
• C. Cognitive
, • D. Environmental
Answer: C – Religious and cultural beliefs are cognitive factors that influence food
choices.
10. A person must be ______ to make lasting changes to their food-related
behaviors.
• A. Forced
• B. Motivated
• C. Educated only
• D. Wealthy
Answer: B – Motivation is essential for sustaining behavioral changes in eating
habits.
11. Which of the following statements is TRUE?
• A. Most foods are mixtures of nutrients
• B. Foods contain only one type of nutrient
• C. Water is not a nutrient
• D. All nutrients provide energy
Answer: A – Most foods contain a combination of macronutrients and
micronutrients.
12. Studying nutrition is important to ______.
• A. Learn about the nutritional value of foods and effects diet can have on
health
• B. Become a chef
• C. Lose weight only
• D. Sell supplements
Answer: A – Nutrition education helps individuals understand how food choices
affect health.
