Food Comparisons

To complete this option, fill in the table as described, then answer the questions that follow below.

General Instructions
Before starting this assignment, please read General Instructions for Written Assignments (in the Assignments folder). It describes the requirements for preparing and submitting your assignments, and explains how they will be marked.

1. Complete the following table for two similar packaged foods (i.e. 2 frozen dinners, 2 types of cookies, 2 different ready-to-eat cereals, 2 types of bread, etc.) Provide the names of the products that you are comparing and include the nutrition facts table and ingredient list for each product. (15 marks)
   Product 1 Product 2
   What is the serving size recommended on the Nutrition Facts Table? How does it compare to that recommended by Canada’s Food Guide to Healthy Eating?
   Calculate the calories for the serving size you would eat.
   Has the food been fortified? Name the vitamins added. Name the minerals added.
   List the top five ingredients
   i. Which of these are additives?
   ii. What are the roles of these additives in this food?
   Is there any allergy information on the label? What does it state?
   List all possible allergens you can find in the ingredients list.
   Which nutrient has the highest % Daily Value? The lowest?
   What is the % Daily Value for another nutrient that is important to you? Is it high, moderate or low?
   Can you find a Health Claim on the label? What is it?
   Can you find a Nutrient Content Claim on the label? What is it?
2. Now, describe all other comparisons or observations you have made between the 2 products. (5 marks)
3. Which product do you believe is a better choice for you? Why? (5 marks)
4. Consider the phrase: “Reading a label is just as important as exercise”. Would you agree or disagree with this statement? Why or why not? (5 marks)

Option 2: Fred’s Diet

To complete this option, review Fred’s diet, then answer the questions that follow below.

General Instructions
Before starting this assignment, please read General Instructions for Written Assignments (in the Assignments folder). It describes the requirements for preparing and submitting your assignments, and explains how they will be marked.

Fred's Diet
Fred Johnson is a 28 year-old self-employed computer analyst who works in his home office. Fred's doctor says that he is 15 kg overweight. (He is currently 90 kg and 1.75 m tall.) Fred is moderately active – he walks his dog for 45 minutes twice a day (to a donut shop), and he plays squash once a week with a friend. He avoids milk because he is lactose intolerant. Fred knows that his diet is unhealthy but he needs some advice on how to change it. He has also noticed that eating out is costing him a lot of money. He has recorded his intake for one day and is asking you to analyze his diet and make suggestions to improve it.

MY DIET
by Fred Johnson

Amount Consumed

Breakfast
Orange juice 250 ml
Eggs, fried 2

Snack
Coffee with cream and sugar 250 ml coffee, 15 ml cream, 15 ml sugar
Chocolate donut 1

Lunch
Big Mac Hamburger 1
French Fries 30 fries
Diet coke 250 ml

Snack
Coffee with cream and sugar 250 ml coffee, 15 ml cream, 15 ml sugar
Apple fritter donut 1

Supper
Kentucky Fried Chicken 350g
Onion Rings 10 onion rings
Diet 7-up 250 ml
Apple Pie 1 slice

Your Task - Analyze Fred's diet.

1. Let’s start off with something positive for Fred. Describe one thing that Fred is doing right in his diet and eating pattern. (2 marks)
2. Based on what you have learned this semester, prepare a list of 4 dietary (food- or nutrient-related) changes Fred should make. Explain why you made these recommendations. (8 marks)
3. In your opinion, which of these 4 changes would be the easiest one for Fred to make? Why? (2 marks)
4. In your opinion, which change would be the most difficult for Fred to make? Why? What would you suggest to help him make this difficult change a little easier? (3 marks)
5. When Fred goes grocery shopping, what kinds of things should he look for when choosing foods in order to make the dietary changes you’ve recommended above? (3 marks)
6. What can Fred do to reduce his risk of food poisoning when preparing and cooking food? When serving food? When storing food? (6 marks)
7. Calculate Fred’s current Body Mass Index. (2 marks)
8. What would his Body Mass Index be if he lost the 15 kg recommended by his doctor? Do you think this is a reasonable amount of weight loss for his doctor to recommend? Why or why not? (4 marks)

Option 3: Fast Food Comparisons

To complete this option, fill in the table as described, then answer the questions that follow below.

General Instructions
Before starting this assignment, please read General Instructions for Written Assignments (in the Assignments folder). It describes the requirements for preparing and submitting your assignments, and explains how they will be marked.

1. Calculate your total calorie requirements for a day and your BMI as follows:
   a) Calculate your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR). This represents the calories needed for basal metabolism per day.
   b) Based on your BMR, determine your calorie requirement for dietary thermogenesis and for physical activity.
   c) Now, add these 3 calorie requirements to get your total calorie requirement for a day.
2. Calculate your required daily protein requirement based on the 0.8 g/kg body weight. Based on this calculation, what % of your total calories should come from protein? If the Acceptable Macronutrient range for Carbohydrate is between 45- 65%, determine how much of your daily calorie requirements this represents? If the Acceptable Macronutrient range for Fats is between 20-35%, determine how much of your daily calorie requirements this represents. Note: the sum of your protein, carbohydrate and fat % should total to 100% and be equal to the total calories that you require on a daily basis based on your BMR.(5 marks)
3. Complete the following table for two similar fast food meals that you might choose to eat (i.e. 2 hamburgers, 2 sandwiches, etc.) Provide the names of the products that you are comparing and include the nutrition facts table and ingredient list for each product. (10 marks)
   Product 1 Product 2
   How many servings of each food group is provided the product according to Canada’s Food Guide to Healthy Eating?
   What are the total calories for each product? What % of your daily calorie requirements does each product provide?
   What are the calories from carbohydrate for each product? How this compare to your requirements for carbohydrates based on your BMR/AMDR?
   What are the calories from fat for each product? How this compare to your requirements for fat based on your BMR/AMDR?
   How much sodium is in each product? What is the %DV?
   How much cholesterol is in each product? What is the %DV?
   How much fiber is in this product? Is this product a good source of fiber?
   Can you find a Health Claim for the product? What is it?
   Can you find a Nutrient Content Claim for the product? What is it?
4. Now, describe all other comparisons or observations you have made between the 2 products. (5 marks)
5. Are either of these products a good choice for you? Why? (5 marks)

Sample Solution