Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) Practice Exam

What type of food information does a nutritional label provide regarding calories?

1. Total grams of sugar

2. Total number of calories per serving

3. Amount of protein per meal

4. Caloric distribution throughout different meals

The correct answer is: Total number of calories per serving

The nutritional label provides the total number of calories per serving, which is crucial for consumers to understand their caloric intake and manage their overall diet. Knowing the calorie content allows individuals to assess how a particular food fits into their daily caloric needs based on their dietary goals, whether that be weight loss, maintenance, or gain. This information is essential for making informed food choices and helps in planning meals effectively to meet nutritional requirements. Other options, while related to nutrition, do not focus specifically on the caloric information provided by a label. The total grams of sugar and the amount of protein per meal indicate macronutrient content rather than total calories. Similarly, caloric distribution throughout different meals is not a feature of individual food labels but rather a concept relevant to overall meal planning. Thus, the focus of the nutritional label on total calories per serving directly supports dietary management and is a key component of understanding the energy provided by food products.