Which of the following is an example of high fiber food?

NORCET 3 - 2022 (Shift-2)

Applied Nutrition & Dietetics

Easy

Appeared in: NORCET 3 - 2022 (Shift-2)

Explanation

Pulses are the edible seeds from the legume family, including lentils, beans, and chickpeas.
They are exceptionally rich in dietary fiber. For instance, Bengal gram (a type of chickpea) contains about 25.22g of fiber per 100g, and Rajma (kidney beans) contains about 16.57g per 100g.
This high fiber content makes them superior to other options like potatoes or non-specific 'grains' for boosting fiber intake.
Dietary fiber from pulses aids in digestion, helps regulate blood sugar, and can lower cholesterol levels.

Option A: The term 'Wheat' is ambiguous. While whole wheat is a good source of fiber (around 11.23g/100g), refined wheat flour has very little fiber. Without the qualifier 'whole', it's not the best answer.
Option B: 'Grain' is a very broad category. It includes both high-fiber whole grains (like oats, barley) and low-fiber refined grains (like white rice). This ambiguity makes it a less precise answer than 'Pulses'.
Option D: Potatoes contain fiber, but in much smaller amounts compared to pulses. A potato with skin has only about 1.71g of fiber per 100g.

Visual 1: Infographic: A chart comparing the fiber content (in grams per 100g serving) of various foods, including pulses, whole grains, refined grains, fruits, and vegetables, to visually highlight the best sources.
Visual 2: Diagram: A simple illustration showing a whole grain kernel (bran, germ, endosperm) versus a refined grain kernel (only endosperm) to explain why whole grains have more fiber.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Nutritional science, specifically identifying high-fiber food sources as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses frequently educate patients on diet, especially for managing conditions like constipation, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia. Knowing high-fiber food sources is essential for providing accurate advice.
A high-fiber diet is a cornerstone of managing constipation in various settings, from post-operative care to long-term care facilities. Recommending pulses is a practical and effective intervention.
What if? If a patient has celiac disease or a gluten intolerance, the nurse would need to recommend gluten-free high-fiber foods. In this case, pulses, along with gluten-free grains like quinoa and brown rice, would be excellent recommendations, while wheat would be contraindicated.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core of the question: it's asking for the BEST example of a high-fiber food from the given list.
Analyze each option for its typical fiber content and any ambiguity.
Recognize that 'Wheat' and 'Grain' are general terms. Their fiber content depends heavily on whether they are 'whole' or 'refined'. This makes them less reliable choices.
Compare the known fiber content of 'Pulses' (legumes) and 'Potato'.
Recall or deduce that pulses are well-known for being exceptionally high in fiber, significantly more so than potatoes.
Conclude that 'Pulses' is the most accurate and consistently high-fiber option among the choices.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Nutritional science, specifically identifying high-fiber food sources.
Stem keywords: high fiber food
Lead-in keywords: example of

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