Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) Practice Exam

How do therapeutic diets typically address health concerns?

1. By eliminating gluten from all meals

2. Through personalized dietary changes dictated by specific health conditions

3. By increasing sugar intake for energy

4. Through a balanced diet with no specific focus

The correct answer is: Through personalized dietary changes dictated by specific health conditions

Therapeutic diets specifically aim to address health concerns by implementing personalized dietary changes tailored to an individual's unique health conditions. This approach acknowledges that different health issues, such as diabetes, hypertension, or food allergies, require distinct modifications to one's diet to manage symptoms effectively and promote overall health. For example, someone with diabetes may need to monitor carbohydrate intake and choose foods that have a lower glycemic index, while a person with hypertension might focus on reducing sodium intake. This personalized aspect is crucial, as it ensures that the dietary changes made are directly relevant to the individual's specific health needs, allowing for more effective management of their condition. In contrast, the other options do not encompass the tailored approach required in therapeutic diets. For instance, simply eliminating gluten from all meals does not account for individuals who do not have gluten sensitivity or celiac disease, potentially making the diet unnecessarily restrictive for them. Increasing sugar intake does not align with healthy dietary recommendations and could be detrimental to those with various health issues. Lastly, a balanced diet with no specific focus does not adequately target particular health concerns and therefore lacks the necessary customization that therapeutic diets require.