Web Quizzes :: Diabetes Self-Management

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In every issue of Diabetes Self-Management magazine, we test your knowledge on a diabetes-related topic. Here's a quiz question from the March/April 2008 issue.

How much do you know about carbohydrate?

Carbohydrate is one of the three essential macronutrients needed by the human body. (The other two are protein and fat.) While there are several different types of carbohydrate, the building block for all carbohydrate is glucose. Some carbohydrate foods taste sweet and others don’t because the glucose molecules are linked together differently. Nonetheless, when you consume any type of carbohydrate, it gets broken down to glucose by your digestive system, enabling your body to use it for fuel. The one type of carbohydrate that doesn’t get broken down to glucose is dietary fiber, which does not get absorbed by the body.

Eating foods rich in vitamin C along with whole or refined grain products increases your absorption of the iron in the grains.
TRUE or FALSE?

TRUE. The iron found in grain products, known as nonheme iron, is not absorbed as well as the heme iron found in meats. However, there are ways to increase the absorption of nonheme iron. Consuming vitamin-C rich foods such as citrus fruits, green peppers, or strawberries along with grains is one of the best ways to increase iron absorption, and eating meat along with grains will also improve the absorption of the nonheme iron. On the other hand, eating grains along with calcium sources such as milk and cheese or beverages that contain tannins such as tea and coffee can decrease the amount of iron absorbed from the grain.

To learn more about carbohydrate and grain products, check out the following articles and blog entries:
Carbohydrate Factors
The Whole Grain and Nothing But the Whole Grain (Part 1)
The Whole Grain and Nothing But the Whole Grain (Part 2)
Carb Counting

In every issue of Diabetes Self-Management magazine, we test your knowledge on a diabetes-related topic. Here's a quiz question from the January/February 2008 issue.

How much do you know about vitamin D?

Vitamin D has been in the spotlight lately thanks to studies linking adequate intake of it to a reduced risk of certain types of cancer. Two recent studies have also found that getting enough vitamin D may help prevent Type 2 diabetes. Other research shows that it may reduce the risk of Type 1 diabetes when given to infants, and that it can improve insulin sensitivity among adults, including those with Type 2 diabetes.

Taking cod liver oil is a good way to increase vitamin D intake.
TRUE or FALSE?

FALSE. Although cod liver oil has a high level of vitamin D, it is also very high in retinol, a type of vitamin A. Too much retinol has been found to increase the risk of hip fractures among postmenopausal women, so cod liver oil, despite its vitamin D, is not likely to contribute toward overall bone strength. Other sources of vitamin D (fortified milk, oily fish, supplements, and sunlight) represent safer choices. (For vitamin A, beta-carotene appears to be a better choice than retinol. Beta-carotene can be found in sweet potatoes, carrots, squash, and many green, leafy vegetables, as well as supplements.)

To learn more about vitamin D, check out the following articles and blog entries:
Boning Up on Bone Health
Nutrition and Dental Health
Top 10 Health Tips for Women Over 65
Vegetarianism and Diabetes: Do the Two Mix? (Part 3)

In every issue of Diabetes Self-Management magazine, we test your knowledge on a diabetes-related topic. Here's a quiz question from the November/December 2007 issue.

How much do you know about fish?

Fish is often promoted as a heart-healthy food for people with and without diabetes alike. And indeed, fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, sardines, and albacore tuna is an excellent source of healthful omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to improve heart health. This quality of fish can be especially beneficial to people who have diabetes, which increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. Preparing fatty and other types of fish using low-fat cooking methods such as poaching, baking, or steaming is a healthful way to add nutrition and variety to your meal plan.

Eating fish is a proven way to boost mental functioning.
TRUE or FALSE?

FALSE. Omega-3 fatty acids are suspected to improve mental functioning, but more research is needed before health organizations like the American Diabetes Association can take any official positions on the issue. Additionally, careful review of the current research on mental functioning and omega-3 consumption is needed because studies published so far have measured omega-3 fatty acid intake in different ways: Some studies used food intake as reported by the study participants to estimate the amount of omega-3 fatty acids consumed, while others measured blood levels of the different types of omega-3 fatty acids. So the amount of omega-3 fatty acids necessary to affect mental functioning is not clear.

To learn more check out the following blog entries:
Studies Find Benefits for Fish and Omega-3 Consumption
Fabulous Fish Oil Findings: Part 1
Fabulous Fish Oil Findings: Part 2
Fabulous Fish Oil Findings: Part 3

Statements and opinions expressed on this Web site are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the publishers or advertisers. The information provided on this Web site should not be construed as medical instruction. Consult appropriate health-care professionals before taking action based on this information.