CDCES CDCES Nutrition and Meal Planning 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: How many grams of carbohydrate are in one carbohydrate serving (exchange) used in basic meal planning for diabetes?
- 10 grams
- 15 grams (Correct answer)
- 20 grams
- 25 grams
Correct answer: 15 grams
One carbohydrate serving equals 15 grams of carbohydrate in standard diabetes meal planning.
Question 2: Which eating pattern has the strongest evidence base for improving glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes?
- High-fat ketogenic diet
- Mediterranean-style diet (Correct answer)
- Raw food diet
- Macrobiotic diet
Correct answer: Mediterranean-style diet
The Mediterranean-style diet has robust evidence for improving glycemic control and cardiovascular outcomes in type 2 diabetes.
Question 3: What is the recommended daily fiber intake for adults with diabetes according to the ADA Standards of Care?
- 10–14 g/day
- 14–25 g/day
- 25–38 g/day (Correct answer)
- 38–50 g/day
Correct answer: 25–38 g/day
The ADA recommends 25–38 g of fiber per day for adults with diabetes, consistent with guidelines for the general population.
Question 4: A patient asks about non-nutritive sweeteners. Which statement best reflects current ADA guidance?
- They are prohibited for people with diabetes
- They may be used to reduce overall calorie and carbohydrate intake (Correct answer)
- They are preferred over natural sugars regardless of quantity
- They have no effect on blood glucose
Correct answer: They may be used to reduce overall calorie and carbohydrate intake
Non-nutritive sweeteners are acceptable when used to reduce overall calorie and carbohydrate intake, but should not displace nutrient-dense foods.
Question 5: Which method is most commonly taught to people with type 2 diabetes as a simple visual guide for portion control?
- Carbohydrate counting
- The plate method (Correct answer)
- Glycemic index ranking
- Exchange lists
Correct answer: The plate method
The plate method (half non-starchy vegetables, one quarter protein, one quarter carbohydrate) is a simple and effective visual portion control tool.
Question 6: How does dietary fat affect postprandial blood glucose?
- Fat rapidly raises blood glucose within 1 hour
- Fat delays gastric emptying and can prolong postprandial glucose elevation (Correct answer)
- Fat has no effect on blood glucose levels
- Fat immediately lowers blood glucose after a meal
Correct answer: Fat delays gastric emptying and can prolong postprandial glucose elevation
Dietary fat slows gastric emptying, which can delay and prolong postprandial glucose elevation, particularly relevant for insulin dose timing.
How many grams of carbohydrate are in one carbohydrate serving (exchange) used in basic meal planning for diabetes?