According to the U.S. Pattern for 2000 cal, which dietary modification would most benefit Mr. Beetis?

According to the U.S. Pattern for 2000 cal, which dietary modification would most benefit Mr. Beetis?

• A. Increase fruit intake to 2 cu-eq daily.
• B. Decrease fruit intake to 1 cu-eq daily.
• C. Increase dairy to 3 cu-eq daily.
• D. Decrease grains to 4 oz-eq/day.

Answer: (A)

Meeting the daily targets of the 2000-kcal pattern by food group is what this item tests. For a 2000-kcal diet, fruit intake is recommended at 2 cup-equivalents per day, delivering fiber, vitamin C, potassium, and nutrients that help shift the diet toward balance without adding excess calories. If Mr. Beetis is not at that level, increasing fruit to 2 cup-equivalents daily moves him closer to the guideline and improves overall nutrient intake. Decreasing fruit to 1 cup would pull him further from the recommendation and reduce beneficial nutrients. Increasing dairy to 3 cup-equivalents could help only if dairy is under-consumed, which isn’t specified here. Decreasing grains to 4 oz-equivalents would drop below the grain target (6 oz-eq), reducing fiber and energy from this group. So the best modification is to raise fruit intake to the recommended 2 cup-equivalents daily.

Meeting the daily targets of the 2000-kcal pattern by food group is what this item tests. For a 2000-kcal diet, fruit intake is recommended at 2 cup-equivalents per day, delivering fiber, vitamin C, potassium, and nutrients that help shift the diet toward balance without adding excess calories. If Mr. Beetis is not at that level, increasing fruit to 2 cup-equivalents daily moves him closer to the guideline and improves overall nutrient intake. Decreasing fruit to 1 cup would pull him further from the recommendation and reduce beneficial nutrients. Increasing dairy to 3 cup-equivalents could help only if dairy is under-consumed, which isn’t specified here. Decreasing grains to 4 oz-equivalents would drop below the grain target (6 oz-eq), reducing fiber and energy from this group. So the best modification is to raise fruit intake to the recommended 2 cup-equivalents daily.