Here is a simple questionnaire to help you rate yourself on a scale of 0 to 2 points.
Circle the number that applies to you honestly, then add up your scores* |
| [0 = never 1 = sometimes 2 = often] |
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| 1. Do you spend a lot of time working under strong light or a frequent computer user or a television viewer? |
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| 2.During the past year how often did you come down with cold or infections? |
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| 3. Do you have a cocktail or drink alcohol before lunch or dinner. |
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| 4. Do you smoke cigarettes. |
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| 5. Do you spend a lot of time in highly populated or industrialized area? |
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| 6. Is lunch your first meal of the day? |
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| 7. Do you avoid exercising? |
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| 8. Do you have a sweet tooth that you cannot always control? |
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| 9. Have you yelled or wanted to yell at your spouse or boss lately. |
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| 10. Do you buy most of your meals or snacks in the store or supermarket? |
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| 11. Do you prefer fried foods/meat/fish as against boiled or grilled? |
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| 12. Do you add salt to your food after tasting or at meals? |
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| 13. Do you avoid fresh fruits and vegetables in your meals every week? |
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| 14. Do you eat fatty meat or poultry with the skin? |
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| 15. When you are in a hurry, do you eat hurriedly instead of taking time to have meals? |
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| 16. For a good and tasty meal do you continue to eat even though you have had enough? |
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| SUBTOTAL = |
If you are certain you are getting at least the recommended daily allowance of vitamin A, B complex, C, D, E and minerals, subtract point for each.
TOTAL =
Score |
| 0 – 8 = Nutrition Winner |
19 – 32 = Risk Rider |
9 – 18 = Runner ups |
| * Individuals may vary in the importance of each point scored according to genetic and other factors. |
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EXPLANATION OF YOUR SCORE
(0 – 8) Nutrition Winner
If you are in this category, you probably feel good and generally take good care of yourself. Especially if you are getting the vitamins A, B complex, C, D, E and the minerals you need. You know how important vitamins are to good health. You are also probably aware that though you may try to eat a balanced diet, many of today’s foods have been stripped of essential nutrients through processing and cooking. To make sure you are getting the nutrients you need you include fresh fruits and vegetables grown on a humus soil to your diet. On daily basis and supplement you diet with vitamins.
(0 – 9) Runner – up
If you are in this category you may feel well, but you may not be taking as good care of yourself as you should. You are likely to be using up more or your bodies vitamin reserves than you are putting in for instance, if you smoke, you are using up more vitamin C than people who do not smoke. If you have had a cold, or infection, your body’s also used up more vitamin C which needs to be replenished. If you work under strong office lights or a frequent television viewer or computer user, you need a larger amount of vitamin A and as already mentioned though you may try to eat a balanced diet, many foods have lost nutritional value through processing and cooking. Be sure you are putting back the nutrients that your body is using up.
(20 – 32) Risk Rider
Chances are if you are in this category, you may feel okay, but you are taking advantage of your body. You may be causing a vitamin deficiency without knowing it. Because vitamin deficiencies may not become physically apparent right away, most people have no idea they are running on a deficit. If you fall into this category, then I suggest you see your doctor and re examine your diet and lifestyle. You may need dietary counseling and guidance. You may find you need supplements. |
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