CCS Dietary Requirements & Special Menus 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A food scientist is reformulating a recipe for guests with phenylketonuria (PKU). Which sweetener must be avoided because it metabolizes into phenylalanine?
- Sucralose
- Aspartame (Correct answer)
- Stevia
- Erythritol
Correct answer: Aspartame
Aspartame contains phenylalanine as one of its two amino acid components, making it dangerous for individuals with PKU who cannot metabolize phenylalanine.
Question 2: A hospital foodservice must provide a renal diet for a patient with chronic kidney disease. Which nutrient trio is MOST commonly restricted?
- Calcium, magnesium, and zinc
- Potassium, phosphorus, and sodium (Correct answer)
- Iron, folate, and vitamin B12
- Vitamin C, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids
Correct answer: Potassium, phosphorus, and sodium
Renal diets restrict potassium, phosphorus, and sodium because impaired kidneys cannot adequately filter and excrete these electrolytes.
Question 3: Which technique is MOST effective for reducing the oxalate content of spinach to make it safer for guests prone to kidney stones?
- Marinating in lemon juice
- Blanching and discarding the cooking water (Correct answer)
- Roasting at high heat
- Puréeing with cream
Correct answer: Blanching and discarding the cooking water
Blanching spinach and discarding the water leaches water-soluble oxalates into the cooking liquid, significantly reducing oxalate content.
Question 4: A guest following a specific carbohydrate diet (SCD) for Crohn's disease asks about acceptable starches. Which is permitted?
- White rice
- Cornstarch
- Honey (Correct answer)
- Potato starch
Correct answer: Honey
The SCD allows honey (a monosaccharide) but prohibits all grains, most starches, and disaccharides including white rice, corn, and potato starch.
Question 5: For a menu targeting guests with histamine intolerance, which preparation method is BEST to minimize histamine accumulation in fish?
- Slow curing with salt
- Immediate cooking or freezing after catch (Correct answer)
- Marinating overnight in vinegar
- Smoking at low temperatures
Correct answer: Immediate cooking or freezing after catch
Histamine forms rapidly in fish through bacterial decarboxylation; immediate cooking or freezing halts bacterial activity and prevents histamine accumulation.
Question 6: Which of the following is a complete protein source appropriate for a strict vegan athlete?
- Brown rice alone
- Black beans alone
- Quinoa alone (Correct answer)
- Almonds alone
Correct answer: Quinoa alone
Quinoa contains all nine essential amino acids in adequate proportions, making it a complete protein and excellent choice for vegan athletes.
Question 7: A guest with a tree nut allergy can safely consume which of the following?
- Cashews
- Almonds
- Peanuts (Correct answer)
- Walnuts
Correct answer: Peanuts
Peanuts are legumes, not tree nuts, and are botanically unrelated to tree nuts; however, cross-reactivity can occur, so individual assessment is still recommended.
CCS Dietary Requirements & Special Menus 3
A food scientist is reformulating a recipe for guests with phenylketonuria (PKU).
Which sweetener must be avoided because it metabolizes into phenylalanine?