Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) Practice Exam

What measurement is used to gauge the energy provided by food?

1. Calorie

2. Gram

3. Pound

4. Joule

The correct answer is: Calorie

The measurement used to gauge the energy provided by food is the calorie. Calories are a unit of energy that represents the amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of one gram of water by one degree Celsius. In terms of dietary contexts, calories are commonly used to quantify the energy content of foods and beverages, allowing individuals to understand how much energy they are consuming through their diet. This is critical for managing energy intake and maintaining a healthy balance of nutrition. Other measurements mentioned are not directly related to the energy provided by food. For instance, grams measure the mass of food, which is important for understanding serving sizes and nutritional content but does not indicate energy. Pounds measure weight, which is more relevant to body weight or bulk but not to the caloric content of food. Joules are a standard unit for energy, as well, but in the context of everyday dietary practices, calories are the unit most commonly recognized and utilized by the general public.