TABE Reading for the Main Idea, Details, and to Draw Conclusions: Practice Test 1 — Flashcards

Read the following article:  As you read it, look for the main idea and details. Try to draw conclusions from the information.    

Finding a way to eat healthfully requires time, effort, and patience. How do you know the correct way to eat? All the wrong information we hear and read makes it difficult to know. We hear about fad diets all the time. They do not work. Have you ever tried to eat mostly protein or just grapefruit all day? People can’t give up the foods they love forever. No wonder diets fail 95 percent of the time.    

Balance is the key to a successful eating plan. You need to combine three things:    
- Complex Carbohydrates—Fruits, Vegetables, 100 percent Whole Grain Breads, Cereals (oatmeal and others), Starchy Vegetables (potatoes, yams)    
- Lean Proteins—Fish and Shellfish, Lean Cuts of Meat (beef, lamb, pork, veal), Poultry (chicken, turkey), Eggs or Egg Whites, Tofu or Soy products, Low Fat Dairy products (lower-fat cheeses, skim milk), Beans (black beans, kidney beans, chick peas), Nuts and Seeds    
- Good Fats—Vegetable Oils (olive, canola, and flaxseed) Fish (salmon, herring, albacore tuna contain Omega 3 fatty acids), Nuts and Seeds    

Then you can add the things you like. You still have to keep it all in control. That’s called moderation.    

What are some other rules to follow? First, think about serving sizes. We all eat very large portions without any thought. Cut them down. For example, if you’re having meat, have about 3 ounces of cooked meat. A baking or sweet potato should be small. You should have 1 cup of pasta or rice.    

Plan to exercise. Believe it or not, exercise is also a part of a good eating plan. Exercise helps to take the weight off and keep it off. It allows you to have an ice cream cone once in a while. Finally, be consistent!