Lesson 3.2.3.1.1

3.2.3.1.1 Healthy diet guidelines, portions, costing and life stages Quiz: AQA Food Preparation and Nutrition, Unit 1

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson 3.2.3.1.1, Healthy diet guidelines, portions, costing and life stages: 20 multiple choice questions for the AQA GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition (8585), Unit 1: Food, nutrition and health, written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. What is the purpose of the eatwell plate?

    • To show the exact amount of energy in each food as a single number
    • To show the sugar content of each food to help people count free sugars
    • To show the cost of food in each group to help plan a weekly budget
    • To show the proportions of different food groups for a healthy, balanced diet

  2. Which food group should make up the largest part of the eatwell plate?

    • Fruit and vegetables
    • Starchy foods only, in the largest portion
    • Dairy and alternatives in the largest portion
    • Foods high in fat and sugar in the largest portion

  3. Which life stage has the highest need for calcium to build strong bones?

    • Young children, who need only small amounts of calcium each day
    • Elderly adults, who need calcium only to keep their nails strong
    • Adults in middle age, who need calcium only to replace worn teeth
    • Teenagers, who are going through a period of rapid growth

  4. Why does the energy need of an elderly person usually differ from that of a teenager?

    • Elderly people usually have the same energy need, because age does not affect the body
    • Elderly people usually have a lower energy need only because they eat fewer vegetables
    • Elderly people usually have a lower energy need because their basal metabolic rate and activity are often lower
    • Elderly people usually have a higher energy need because they are always growing taller and heavier

  5. A meal plan needs to be costed. Which step is most important?

    • Counting the number of calories in the meal and ignoring the price of each item
    • Working out the cost of each ingredient and the number of portions the recipe makes
    • Ignoring the portion size and buying the same amount for every person in the group
    • Choosing the most expensive ingredients to make the meal look more appealing

  6. Which statement about portion size in meal planning is accurate?

    • Portion sizes should be the same for every person, whatever their age or activity
    • Portion sizes should suit the person's life stage and activity level
    • Portion sizes do not affect energy intake, so they need not be considered
    • Portion sizes should always be as large as possible to give maximum energy

  7. Which life stage needs extra iron, particularly during pregnancy and in girls after puberty?

    • Teenage girls and adult women of childbearing age
    • Elderly men who have stopped working and are less active
    • Young children who are not yet eating solid foods
    • Teenage boys who are rarely physically active outside school

  8. A family wants a balanced weekly meal plan on a budget. Which approach would best meet this goal?

    • Skipping fruit and vegetables entirely because they are the most expensive items
    • Using seasonal vegetables, pulses and wholegrain foods, and planning portions in advance
    • Buying only the most expensive ready meals so that the plan is more convenient
    • Eating the same single food each day, which is cheap but gives a complete diet

  9. Why do the nutritional needs of young children differ from those of adults?

    • Young children need no protein, since growth is not a process that needs protein
    • Young children need less energy than adults for their size, because they grow more slowly
    • Young children need energy and nutrients relative to their size, to support rapid growth
    • Young children need the same portions as adults, since the diet should be the same

  10. Which dietary guideline is recommended for a healthy diet?

    • Eating only starchy foods, since they are the cheapest and most filling option
    • Eating salt and sugar at every meal to improve the flavour and energy of food
    • Eating plenty of fruit and vegetables and limiting foods high in fat, salt and sugar
    • Eating a very large amount of fat each day, to provide the main source of energy

  11. A student is planning a meal for a teenager. Which change would best improve the nutritional value?

    • Adding extra fried chips and a sugary dessert to give more energy
    • Replacing vegetables with a fizzy drink to make the meal more filling
    • Adding extra vegetables and wholegrain rice, and reducing fried food
    • Adding a large amount of salt and butter to improve the flavour

  12. Explain why the eatwell plate is a useful tool for meal planning.

    • It shows the right balance of food groups, so meals can meet the needs of a healthy diet
    • It shows the exact cost of every food, so the most expensive choice can be found
    • It shows which foods must be avoided completely to prevent any illness
    • It shows the exact calorie count for every food, so no calculation is needed

  13. Which group of people has a higher need for protein per kilogram of body weight?

    • Elderly people who are less active during the day
    • Young children and teenagers who are growing
    • Adults who work at a desk and take little exercise
    • People who eat a diet high in fibre and fruit

  14. Which food is a good option for a teenager needing calcium?

    • Butter and margarine
    • White bread and plain pasta
    • Crisps and salted nuts
    • Milk, cheese and yogurt

  15. Which food group should a healthy diet include in every meal to provide protein, B vitamins and iron?

    • Butter, oil and margarine
    • Crisps, sweets and biscuits
    • Meat, fish, eggs and beans
    • Sugar, honey and syrup

  16. What does the eatwell plate suggest about starchy foods?

    • They should be avoided completely to reduce the energy intake of the diet
    • They should make up about a third of food eaten, and be wholegrain where possible
    • They should make up most of the diet, with no other food groups needed
    • They should be eaten only at breakfast, in the form of sugary cereals

  17. Which life stage needs enough energy and nutrients to support growth in the first years of life?

    • Adults who are retired
    • Adults who are working
    • Young children
    • Elderly adults

  18. A school wants to cost a healthy meal plan for 100 pupils. Which information is needed first?

    • The price and quantity of each ingredient, and the number of portions each recipe makes
    • The colour of the plates and the number of tables and chairs in the school canteen
    • The name of the local supermarket and the opening hours of its nearest branch store
    • The amount of time that each pupil takes to eat their lunch and how long they queue

  19. Why might a teenager need more energy than an adult of the same height?

    • Teenagers have a slower metabolic rate, so they need to eat more to stay healthy
    • Teenagers have no need for energy because growth uses energy from fat stores
    • Teenagers are growing and often more physically active, so their energy needs are higher
    • Teenagers need extra energy only to digest large amounts of fat in the diet

  20. Which statement about life stage and nutrition is accurate?

    • Nutritional needs stay the same at every age, so one meal plan suits everyone
    • Nutritional needs depend only on gender, not on age or activity level
    • Nutritional needs fall to zero in old age, so no food is needed after retirement
    • Nutritional needs change with age, so meals should be adapted for each life stage

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